Korea, Indian Ocean Commission sign MOU to enhance maritime, food security cooperation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) to enhance cooperation in maritime, food security and other relevant sectors.

The memorandum of understanding on the ROK-IOC Cooperation Fund aims to establish a framework for the cooperation fund, launched this year, and ensure its effective use, according to the ministry. ROK stands for the Republic of Korea, the country’s official name.

Based on the agreement, Seoul plans to pursue cooperation projects in areas of high demand in the Indian Ocean region, including maritime security, climate change response, fisheries and food security while strengthening monitoring and oversight of the projects, the ministry said.

The IOC is a regional organization comprising four African island states — Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles and Comoros — and France, represented by its overseas department of Réunion.

Korea participates in the IOC as an observer, along with Japan, China, India, the European Union, the United Nations and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

Yonhap