Jakarta. A string of meetings involving more than 20 countries bordering the Indian Ocean this week in Nusa Dua, Bali, is expected to produce a document with concrete steps to further boost economic and maritime partnerships within the region.

Running from Oct. 22 to 27, the event will host over 250 delegates from 21 Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) members states, as well as partners including the US and European and East Asian countries.

The event will conclude with the 16th Council of Ministers Meeting to be led by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. The meeting is expected to produce the Bali Communique. A statement released by the ministry recently said the document "will contain concrete visions and measures to strengthen cooperation in the economic and maritime sectors for collective interest."

In the lead-up to the Oct. 27 meeting, member states will convene in the 18th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials Oct. 25-26.

They also previously gathered at the 16th Meeting of the Working Group on Trade and Investment on Oct. 24, as well as the 3rd Ad Hoc Committee Meeting on the IORA Concord on Oct. 22-23.

Member states will convene in the inaugural IORA Summit in Jakarta on March 7 next year, when the concord is expected to be signed to "boost regionalism in the Indian Ocean."

In addition to strengthening regional economic partnership, the IORA Concord is aimed at addressing issues, ranging from illegal fishing, drug trafficking, human trafficking and illegal migration.

Indonesia is chairing the association from 2015 to 2017. The country seeks to "maximize its leadership to increase maritime cooperation and strengthen economic diplomacy in the Indian Ocean," which according to the government is a move "in line with Indonesia's vision of becoming the world's maritime fulcrum."

Retno will also hold bilateral talks with IORA secretary general and several countries on the sidelines of this week's meetings.

Member states of the association are Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, South Africa, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.