It was set up with the objective of strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean Region. The association comprises 22 Member States and 7 Dialogue Partners.  India, Australia, Iran, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Singapore, Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, UAE, Yemen, Seychelles, Somalia, Comoros and Oman are members of IORA.  Neither Pakistan nor Myanmar is a member.Maldives has become the latest member. Dialogue Partners - Japan, Germany, China, USA, UK, France and Egypt.  The apex body is the Council of (Foreign) Ministers.  India hosted 2nd IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial meet in 2018. It has adopted "Delhi Declaration on Renewable Energy in the Indian Ocean Region".  As per the declaration, IORA member nations will collaborate with the ISA member nations to exchange knowledge and share potential interests in the renewable energy sector. Global Renewable Energy Atlas is the world‟s largest-ever joint renewable resource data project.  IORA countries will undertake the expansion of Atlas which will be coordinated by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).