The General Secretariat is the executive branch of the Indian Ocean Commission.
Located in Ebène (Mauritius) since July 2012, in modern premises made available by the Mauritian government, the General Secretariat embodies the continuity of the institution and represents the executive branch of the Indian Ocean Commission. It prepares the programmes and projects resulting from the decisions of the authorities, monitors their progress and management, and proposes new orientations to the Member States. As a hub for regional cooperation, the General Secretariat liaises with donors.
The General Secretary
Nominated as head of the General Secretariat by the Council of Ministers for a four-year, non-renewable term.
Prof. Vêlayoudom Marimoutou IOC Secretary General
Vêlayoudom Marimoutou is the 9th Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission. He took office on 16 July 2020 for a non-renewable term of five years.
An economist by training, Vêlayoudom Marimoutou was born in 1957 in Reunion Island, where he grew up and began his studies before moving to metropolitan France. A specialist in econometrics, he holds a doctorate in economics and is an expert in economic sciences. He began his career in higher education and research at the University of Bordeaux.
From 1996 to 1999, he was dean of the faculty of economics and management at the University of Bordeaux (France) before heading a joint research unit of the National Centre for Scientific Research in quantitative economics. His career took another turn in 2008 when he flew to Pondicherry in India. For four years he directed the French Institute, one of the largest in the world, which combines cultural promotion and scientific research.
In 2016, Vêlayoudom Marimoutou was appointed Rector of the Académie de La Réunion. In view of his academic and professional career, Vêlayoudom Marimoutou was made a knight in the order of the Palmes académiques in 2011 and then raised to the rank of commander in 2016. In 2018, he received the insignia of Knight of the Legion of Honour.
The Management Committee of the Indian Ocean Commission
Director at the General Secretariat
The Member States agreed in 2012 to the creation of a Director’s post at the General Secretariat, financed by the secondment of an executive from a Member State. The Director provides coordination, administration and support to the General Secretariat. As from July 2023, the Director at the General Secretariat is Ms Alice N’Diaye, Diplomat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Madagascar.
The project officers
They are responsible for the appraisal and monitoring of projects within the intervention areas. They draw on the expertise of the project management units and focal points in the member countries.
DI 1
Energy and ecological transition, tourism and migrationMr. Anfani Msoili
DI 2
Economy, island interests, connectivity and maritime securityMr. Raj Mohabeer
DI 3
Governance and parliamentary diplomacy, sustainable agriculture and fisheriesMr. Marc Maminiaina
DI 4
Environmental sustainability and climateMs. Gina Bonne
DI 5
Health, education and training, culture, gender and entrepreneurshipMs. Juliette Janin
Heads of departments
Mr. Innocent Lalao Miada
Mr. Vicky Cushmajee
M. Gilles Ribouet
Mr. Nirina Razafintsalama
Technical units
As part of its activities, the IOC has established technical units to support the General Secretariat in the implementation of certain projects.
The Health Monitoring Unit
In 2016, the IOC established a Health Watch Unit (HWU) to implement the public health activities of the INEE2 project. The Health Surveillance Unit implements the project cycles in the field of health (“RSIE3” and “RSIE4”) and, most importantly, ensures the coordination of the SEGA – One Health network, the health arm of the Indian Ocean region set up by the IOC and its Member States.
The Regional Food Security and Nutrition Unit
In 2017, the IOC authorities approved the establishment of a Regional Food Security and Nutrition Unit (RFSNU) in Antananarivo to support the implementation of PRESAN.
