DHAKA, Feb 7, 2024 (BSS) - Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan left Dhaka this noon to participate in the 7th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) to be held from February 9-10 in Perth, Australia.

The minister is leading the Bangladesh delegation for the conference.

The 7th edition of IOC is bringing together key stakeholders to deliberate on the theme "Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean."

Besides, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Australia M. Allama Siddiki will also join the Bangladesh delegation, among others, a press release said here. 

The conference is being organised by India Foundation in association with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of Australia, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore and Perth USAsia Centre. 

While in Perth, the minister will hold bilateral meetings with ministers from the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, the Maldives, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore. 

The minister is scheduled to return home on February 11.
Acting High Commissioner of Australia to Bangladesh Nardia Simpson on Tuesday met the Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister here ahead of his visit to Perth for the IOC.

This annual event, inaugurated in Singapore in 2016, has become a flagship consultative forum for countries in the region. 

Over the years, the IOC has evolved into a vital platform, fostering dialogue and collaboration among ministers, political leaders, diplomats, strategic thinkers, academics, and media representatives.

The 6th Indian Ocean Conference in 2023, hosted in Dhaka, demonstrated the growing prominence of the event, attended by high-ranking officials, including a President, a Vice President, a Prime Minister, 13 Ministers, 2 Foreign Secretaries, and Heads of 3 Multilateral Organizations, the conference drew participation from over 40 countries.