The Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), Prof. Vêlayoudom Marimoutou, accompanied by Mr Travis Payet of the Department of Foreign Affairs, met with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Roger Mancienne and the International Affairs Committee on Friday 8th July 2022.
The meetings involved discussions on the revival of the ‘Association des Parlementaires de la Commission de l’Océan Indien’ (AP-COI) and the steering committee of the projects on Governance, Peace and Stability (GPS). The Speaker was accompanied by Hon. Gervais Henrie, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Waven William, Chairperson of the International Affairs Committee, Mrs. Tania Isaac, the Clerk to the National Assembly and Ms. Alexandria Faure, the Deputy Clerk.
Mr. Marimoutou provided the Speaker with a detailed update on the first meeting of the steering committee in Mauritius, including an in-depth overview of the three main projects to be undertaken by the IOC. The Speaker enquired further on the APCOI and on the necessary steps that will be taken to revive it. Both dignitaries discussed the importance of having the representatives of the people have a say in the concerns, including bringing forward the voice of the youth. Speaker Mancienne agreed that increasing dialogue and rapport between the Member States of the IOC will be extremely beneficial for the regions development and involvement on the international stage. Overall the Speaker expressed his support to the endeavor and highlighted the need for other Member States to also come onboard in order to ensure the successful implementation and establishment of the APCOI.
Following his courtesy call with the Speaker, Mr. Marimoutou met with the International Affairs Committee (IAC) whereby the main topic on the agenda was once again the revival of the AP-COI which was something the Committee had strongly advocated for last year. The revival of the parliamentary organisation will take place through the implementation of the IOC’s regional project of ‘Governance Peace and Stability’ or ‘GPS’ which was launched this year with the first meeting of its Steering Committee in June.
On behalf of the IAC, the Chairperson, Hon. William expressed his sincere gratitude to the COI for this initiative and ensured Mr. Marimoutou that the National Assembly, through the IAC are committed and engaged to achieve, especially the revival of APCOI. Other Members present at the meeting were Hon. Egbert Aglae, Hon. Philip Arissol and Hon. Wallace Cosgrow.
