COLOMBO, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe led the festivities of the 2024 Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Day celebration here on Sunday, underlining the imperative of "Ensuring a Sustainable Indian Ocean for Future Generations," the President's Media Division (PMD) said.
Sri Lanka's assumption of the IORA chair last year marked a pivotal moment, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spearheading the commemoration of the inaugural "IORA Day" under Sri Lanka's leadership, the PMD said.
According to the PMD, Sri Lanka, recognized for its efforts to restore mangrove ecosystems, was recently honored with the United Nations World Restoration Flagship Award.
Against this backdrop, with Sri Lanka emerging as a leading advocate for ocean conservation and sustainable development, hosting the celebration of "IORA Day" holds significant importance, said the PMD.
The event witnessed the participation of over a thousand students engaging in various activities, and this year's theme underscores the paramount importance of ocean conservation and awareness, the PMD said.
The culmination of the celebrations witnessed a rich array of events, including the recognition of art competition winners, exhibitions of selected artwork, and an array of ocean-related educational stalls, the PMD said. ■
