The principal objective of the Journal of the Indian Ocean Region (JIOR), which is the flagship journal of the Indian Ocean Research Group Inc - www.iorgroup.org - is to function as a facilitator and propagator of social science interdisciplinary policy-oriented research on the nature and impact of the human uses of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), with the overall objective of realising comprehensive security.

Given its relative location and the fact that it provides a relatively short and economic link between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, it is perhaps not surprising that, not only does the Indian Ocean account for the transportation of the highest tonnages of commodities in the world, but that more than three-quarters of this is extra-regional trade. The uninhibited maintenance of Ocean routes and associated choke points is especially significant for the movement of commodities, especially energy, to Northeast Asia, Western Europe and North America.

The Indian Ocean is known to contain natural resources, the significance of which is yet to be fully determined. The exploitation of these resources in the context of the delimitation of exclusive economic zones requires careful monitoring and inter-state collaboration. Maintaining the integrity of the regional environment is one of the most important common interests of Indian Ocean states. Observing and managing the environmental impacts of human activity on marine ecosystems is essential both for resource conservation and human security in the IOR. Fostering cooperation at all levels of governance in order to minimise environmental insecurity and climate change related risks is an important policy objective.

Apart from increased knowledge of a wide range of non-traditional security threats, in order to maintain peace and stability in the IOR, it is of the utmost importance that regional coastal, island and landlocked states become aware of the geopolitical orientations of one another and of Indian Ocean neighbours. The description, collation and analysis of such orientations will assist greatly in the maximisation of transparency regarding regional state goals and intentions.

Major Indian Ocean issues such as regional geopolitics, resource exploitation, sharing and conservation, maritime jurisdiction, coastal management, ocean laws, maritime security, underdevelopment, the problems of small island states, human and environmental security, regional trade and cooperation, interstate relations and non-traditional security threats thus constitute the substantive but not necessarily exclusive contents of the JIOR. Apart from researched articles, commentaries, reviews and surveys of major developments in the Indian Ocean Region will be published in the journal.

In particular, the Journal of the Indian Ocean Region seeks:

• To encourage research on geopolitical, economic, socio-cultural, environmental, scientific and technological issues relevant to the Indian Ocean Region
• To promote dialogue on the peaceful uses and ecologically sustainable development of maritime resources based on the principle of Common Heritage
• To foster interstate cooperation in the sustainable management of ocean resources and the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes
• To ensure a holistic discourse on the human and environmental security of the Region among its states, peoples and communities
• To contribute to an understanding of the causes as well as the effects of a wide range of non-traditional Regional security threats
• To facilitate information flow and discussion on international maritime regimes and the rights of states and local communities representing the Indian Ocean Region
• To initiate informed policy debate among governments, NGOs, business groups, academics and other stakeholders in the Indian Ocean Region on issues of common concern
   

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The Indian Ocean Research Group Inc (IORG) and Taylor & Francis make every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in its publications. However, the Society and Taylor & Francis and its agents and licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness or suitability for any purpose of the Content and disclaim all such representations and warranties whether express or implied to the maximum extent permitted by law. Any views expressed in this publication are the views of the authors and are not necessarily the views of the Editor, the Society or Taylor & Francis.