Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Policy Board and Working Group Meeting of the IORIS platform took place last week in Colombo, marking another critical milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance maritime security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Over the course of two days, participants engaged in plenary sessions and working groups, addressing key issues such as the future governance of the IORIS platform, regional cooperation in information sharing, and strategies for engaging external stakeholders.
Co-hosted by the Sri Lanka Navy, the meeting brought together maritime security experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the region. The event emphasised strengthening the governance of the IORIS platform and consolidating its use for addressing maritime security challenges. Notable developments included:
- Launch of IORIS Version 4, along with a new “lite” version designed for merchant ships. This initiative aimed to foster enhanced cooperation between state and industry stakeholders, promoting a unified approach to maritime safety and information sharing.
- Formalisation of Regional Standard Operating Procedures and Information Sharing Memorandum of understanding, a significant step towards a more integrated and cooperative maritime environment.
- Collaborative Solutions for Platform Challenges: Working groups delved into a range of technical, legal, and operational challenges associated with platform usage. Special focus was placed on developing solutions for sensitive information sharing and addressing jurisdictional issues related to transnational maritime incidents.
This event built upon the momentum set by previous IORIS gatherings, including: the inaugural Steering Committee Meeting in Bali (May 2023); the Policy Board and Working Group Meeting in Kenya (October 2023), the IORIS Steering Committee Meeting in Colombo (March 2024).
Each of these meetings contributed significantly to shaping IORIS into a robust, secure, and collaborative platform, used by countries across the Indo-Pacific to tackle maritime safety challenges and facilitate sustainable governance of regional waters.
The CRIMARIO II Project Director, Martin Cauchi Inglott, highlighted the rapid growth of the platform and reaffirmed CRIMARIO’s commitment to developing new features that add value. “IORIS has continued to evolve, and our collaborative approach with regional partners has ensured that the platform remains at the forefront of maritime safety and cooperation initiatives,” he said
Special thanks were extended to Director General Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Rajapriya Serasinghe, and Admiral (Retd.) P.H. Piyal De Silva, CRIMARIO Special Advisor to South Asia, for their leadership and invaluable support in co-chairing the event. Appreciation was also expressed to the CRIMARIO and Expertise France teams for their exceptional efforts.
A huge thank you to all participants for their dedication and meaningful contributions to the platform’s development.
The community’s dedication to IORIS has been instrumental in advancing the platform; its role has been crucial in laying the groundwork to ensure that IORIS remains a relevant and effective tool for addressing maritime security and safety challenges across the region. By fostering trust, collaboration, and enabling information-sharing, the community strengthens the platform’s impact. Moreover, its ongoing support will be indispensable as we continue to develop and enhance IORIS. By expanding its reach and functionality through our collective efforts, CRIMARIO can ensure that the platform meets the diverse needs of all stakeholders, effectively addressing the complex maritime challenges we face.
As the IORIS platform continues to expand, the next IORIS Steering Committee Meeting is scheduled for 21-23 May 2025 in the Philippines. This upcoming event will focus on further strengthening the platform’s capabilities and promoting international cooperation for safer, more secure maritime governance.
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