Secretary General of IORA H.E K.V Bhagirath
Dear Visitor,
I would like to welcome you to the new IORA platform which continues to stride towards regional integration with a view to narrow the developmental gap within the Indian Ocean region. Delivering and creating more benefits to its Member States through special development and capacity building projects and programs, IORA remains an important Association for sustainable development within the region.As the momentum for cooperation continues to grow, IORA continually explores new avenues for widening and deepening the ties that bind its Member States and Dialogue Partners. During the last two decades of its existence, there is much that IORA can be proud of. It has evolved into a responsible forum that comprehensively addresses regional and global security issues pertinent to the Indian Ocean region. Through sustained dialogue and cooperation, it has gathered strength and now contributes to a key driving force ensuring sustained development, peace and stability in the region. Celebrating the 20th Anniversary, we look forward to see what our ever-growing Association will accomplish in the next decades.
H.E K.V Bhagirath, Secretary General of IORA
The Secretary General is appointed by the Council of Ministers (COM) for a term of three years renewable for one additional term, from among the candidates nominated by the Member States on the basis of qualification, experience and suitability as laid down in the staff regulations of the IORA Secretariat.
He/She is responsible to the Council of Ministers for all activities of the Association. The Secretary-General participates in all meetings of the Council and performs such other functions as are entrusted to him by these organs. He/She provides an annual report to the Council of Ministers on the work of the Association.
Currently Ambassador K.V Bhagirath is the Secretary General of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Ambassador Bhagirath of the Republic of India, assumed duties as Secretary-General of the IORA on January 1, 2012. He was re-elected by the IORA Council of Ministers held in Perth, Australia, 9 October 2014 for a second term which commenced on January 1, 2015.
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Education
He is a student of History and has studied in St. Stephens College, Delhi University and Jawaharial Nehru University, New Delhi.
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Career highlights
Ambassador Bhagirath is from the Indian Foreign Service which he joined in 1979, He was elected Secretary-General of Indian Ocean Rim Association during the IORA Council of Ministers' Meeting in November 2011 and assumed charge on January 1, 2012.
He is a student of History from St. Stephens College, Delhi University and Jawaharial Nehru University, New Delhi. During his diplomatic career spanning over three decades, he has undertaken assignments in the Middle East, Latin America, Europe and Africa,with postings in Damascus, Syria from 1981 to 1983, Havana, Cuba from 1989 to 1993, London, United Kingdom from 1993 to 1997, Mauritius from 1997 to 2001, Paris from 2004 to 2007, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from October, 2007 to 2011.
His spouse Hemalata Bhagirath is also from the Indian Foreign Service and they have a daughter and a son. -
Duties and Responsibilities of the Secretary General
The Secretary-General serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Secretariat and performs its functions in accordance with terms and conditions provided in the Charter and the Rules of Procedure.
The Secretary-General represents the IORA Secretariat at the Council of Ministers (COM), the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) and the Working Groups, reporting the proceedings and decisions of the meetings and following up on the implementation of the decisions.
The Secretary-General facilitates any other meetings as specifically instructed by the COM and/or the CSO and reports on proceedings and decisions.
The Secretary-General ensures the efficient operation of the Secretariat, preparing and submitting progress reports, and regularly reporting on the status of the Association's work programme and calendar of events to Member States. He/she compiles and distributes any other annual or periodical publications or documents as instructed by the COM and/or the CSO.
The Secretary-General bears full responsibility for the management of the fiscal resources of the Secretariat, as well as the management of the Association's budget, finances and financial records, including expenditure made by the Secretariat and any funds held by the IORA. He/she must present a sufficiently detailed annual budget and audited financial statements to the COM and CSO for approval.
The Secretary-General recommends to the CSO, in line with agreed IORA guidelines and procedures, for a change in the status of a project that may not be proceeding as approved by the CSO. This should follow a process of monitoring and consultation with the project coordinators, in line with guidelines agreed by IORA.
The Secretary-General, in conformity with the objectives of IORA and for the effective fulfilment of the Secretariat functions, assigns the appropriate division of work among the staff members based on their job descriptions.
The Secretary-General supervises the preparation and distribution of documents, publications and correspondence of the Secretariat, guides the work of the Directors in carrying out their specified duties and supervises any supporting staff according to the terms and conditions of the organization.
The Secretary-General is responsible and accountable to the Chair of IORA and Member States for the smooth and effective functioning of the Secretariat, the maintenance of IORA properties held at the Secretariat and the maintenance of any premises and properties provided to the Secretariat under the agreed terms and conditions.
The Secretary-General reports on an annual basis to the Chair of the CSO on the performance of all staff at the Secretariat, including that of the Secretary-General. These evaluations should be the result of supervisor and peer assessments made by all staff and the Secretary-General, based on key performance indicators.