Preserving the peace and security in the Indian Ocean region is a key foreign policy priority of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, says Vice President Faisal Naseem.

The Vice President made this remark while delivering his address at the sixth Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) 2023.

VP Naseem is currently undertaking a visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh, to attend the sixth IOC, being held there from May 12 – 13.

Themed around "Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership for a Resilient Future", the IOC 2023 aims to bring together key stakeholders to chart the roadmap to strengthen regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.

Reflecting on this year’s IOC theme, VP Naseem stressed on the fact that proactive measures that promote transformation are required for a resilient and sustainable future.

Highlighting that managing risks and doubt involves adaptive management, learning, innovation, and leadership, VP Naseem noted that the Solih administration is mindful of the obstacles that threaten stable socioeconomic progress in the Indian Ocean region.

These obstacles, VP Naseem said include non-traditional security threats such as terrorism, human trafficking, irregular migration, drug smuggling, and illegal, unreported as well as unregulated fishing.

Emphasizing that small, low-lying coastal settlements such as the Maldives are left particularly vulnerable to climate pressures due to the illegal exploitation of marine resources and the degradation of ocean health, VP Naseem highlighted that the Indian Ocean Region is home to some of the world's fastest-growing civilizations and serves as a hub for trade with the Middle East, Africa, East Asia, Europe, and America.

The Vice President stressed that it is the responsibility of all nations to ensure the peace, economic prosperity, environmental protection and international rules in the region.

With this, he urged on the IOC 2023 participants to build partnerships based on mutual respect and trust to resolve outstanding issues and promote prosperity, sustainability and stability in the Indian Ocean region through a rules-based approach.

As part of his brief visit to Bangladesh, VP Naseem is scheduled to hold meetings with high-level dignitaries as well. He has held a meeting with the Maldivian community residing in Bangladesh as part of the trip.