Committee of Senior Officials (CSO)

The Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) is comprised of senior Government Officials of Member States which meets as often as collectively decided (but at least once a year).

It reviews the implementation of the decisions taken by the COM, and, in co-operation with the Working Group on Trade and Investment (WGTI), the Indian Ocean Rim Business Forum (IORBF) and the Indian Ocean Academic Group (IORAG), it:

• establishes priorities for Economic Co-operation
• develops, monitors and co-ordinates Work Programmes
• mobilises resources for financing Work Programmes
• submits periodic reports to the COM, and refers policy matters to the COM for its decision

In 2010, the Council recommended the meetings of the CSO be held bi-annually to ensure closer supervision over the commitments made by the Member States and the projects undertaken.  The first bi-annual CSO took place in Canberra, Australia on 30-31 March 2011.