The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), of which SA is a founding member, was formally launched by a Ministerial Meeting in Mauritius in March 1997. The Association’s broad objective is to promote the sustained growth and balanced development of the Region and of the Member States, and to create common ground for Regional Economic Co-operation.

South Africa took over as chair of IORA for the first time at the 17th Council of Ministers Meeting held in Durban, South Africa in 2017 and passed the chair to the United Arab Emirates in November 2019. During South Africa’s chair period South African representatives chaired various IORA structures, such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association Academic Group (IORAG).

In preparation for South Africa taking over as chair of IORA, the national Department of Science and Innovation funded the establishment of the South African Chapter of the Indian Ocean Rim Association Academic Group as of 2016 – SA IORAG – to assist with facilitating South Africa’s academic priorities within IORA and support South Africa’s IORAG chairperson.

Post the South African chair period of IORA, the SA IORAG remains active nationally and within IORA.

The SA IORAG is comprised of a core group of experts, as well as a broader stakeholder network. The SA IORAG Secretariat is hosted by the SAEON Egagasini Node in Cape Town.