CIDCA vice-chairman meets secretary-general of Indian Ocean Commission

On April 25, Zhao Fengtao, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), met with Secretary-General of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Edgard Razafindravahy on the sidelines of the fifth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the IOC, which was held in the Madagascan capital of Tananarive. 

This year's summit focused on food security and maritime connectivity, highlighting the importance of solidarity and coordination in advancing regional common development, which aligns with the China-proposed concept of a community with a shared future for mankind and the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Zhao said.

Noting that China was attending the summit for the first time as the first observer of the IOC, Zhao said the CIDCA is ready to discuss and sign cooperation papers with the IOC, establish dialogue mechanisms, strengthen pragmatic project cooperation, and enhance capacity building, in a bid to jointly advance the implementation of the GDI and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Razafindravahy thanked Zhao for his participation and said he concurred with Zhao's proposals. He pledged to cooperate with the CIDCA for integrated development of the Indian Ocean region, and the implementation of a series of measures that are crucial to the future of the IOC and its member states such as the "food security zone", so as to bring more tangible results to the people of all countries in the region. 

Chinese Ambassador to Madagascar Ji Ping also attended the meeting.