Indian Ocean leaders to meet in Madagascar to discuss food sovereignty

The 5th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) will be held in Madagascar on April 24, 2025.

This high-level meeting, to be held in Ivato, Antananarivo, will mark an important milestone for regional cooperation, ten years after the Moroni Summit in 2014.

The President of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani, has confirmed his attendance at this event, as have the leaders of Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Réunion. The summit will focus on key issues for the region, including “food security and sovereignty” in the Indian Ocean, a major challenge for the region’s island countries.

Discussions will address key themes such as the transformation of agricultural systems, resilience to climate and economic crises, and improving regional connectivity and trade. These discussions will build on the outcomes of the Ministerial Conference on Food Security and Nutrition, held in Madagascar from March 19 to 21, which paved the way for the summit.

Established in 1984, the IOC plays a key role in promoting integration and cooperation among the countries of the Indian Ocean. The 2025 summit will be an opportunity to take stock of forty years of collaboration and define strategic priorities for the coming years.