At the invitation of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of the Republic of South Africa, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Pretoria participated in a two-day event organized by DIRCO to celebrate the IORA Day 2024 at the University of South Africa (Pretoria) and the University of Kwazulu-Natal (Durban) from 7-8 March 2024. Both events were organized under the theme “Ensuring a sustainable Indian Ocean for the Future Generations: Our Ocean Our Life” proposed by the Government of Sri Lanka as the Chair of the India Ocean Rim Association.
The Keynote address was delivered by Ambas sador-at-large; Asia and BRICS at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Anil Shooklal. Video messages of IORA Secretary General Ambassador Salman Al Farisi, and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Dr GNM Pandor, were screened during the event.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Africa (UNISA) Prof. Puleng LenkaBule welcomed the guests to the first-day event held on 07 March 2024. During her welcome remarks, Prof. LenkaBule highlighted former Presidents of South Africa Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, and Current President Cyril Ramaphosa are alumni of UNISA. Acting Dean of the School of Law at the University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN) Prof. Michael Kidd welcomed the guests at the second event held on 08 March 2024
At the request of the Sri Lankan High Commission to the organizers, several Sri Lankan university students in South Africa were also invited to the event, as each session aimed to enhance future generations' engagement with the IORA. Many government officials, diplomats, academics and university students from both universities participated in the event.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Pretoria
18 March 2024
