Regional German Ambassadors’ Conference ‘Indian Ocean’

Against the background of dynamic economic growth and changing political and security paradigms the Indian Ocean Region is becoming increasingly the centre of political and economic gravity. The need for cooperation and discussion is higher than ever. 

Therefore, Sri Lanka, the country in the middle of the Indian Ocean, was chosen as venue for the Regional German Ambassadors’ Conference ‘Indian Ocean’ organised by the Federal Foreign Office and the German Embassy. The Conference took place in Colombo on 5 and 6 April at the Taj Samudra Hotel, with the participation of more than 30 Heads of German Missions from the Indian Ocean Region and high-ranking Foreign Office officials. 

The event was jointly inaugurated by Foreign Mi te Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office Dr. Markus Erderer. Thereafter, Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva, Deputy Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs of Indonesia Arief Havas Oegroseno and the Acting Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs of Oman Dr. Mohamed Awadh Abdul Rahman Al-Hassan discussed ‘Strategic Shifts in the Indian Ocean’.

On 6 April, the economic potential of Sri Lanka and the Indian Ocean Region was in focus at the conference. The day was kicked off by Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva and Clas Neumann, Senior Vice President and Head of SAP Labs Network. At the end of the conference, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama attended the event.