Parliamentary Secretary Steven Ciobo MP will represent Australia at the first Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) ministerial meeting on the blue economy, in Mauritius.
The Indian Ocean region is of growing strategic and economic importance to Australia. It includes some of the world's fastest growing economies, has huge reserves of natural resources and half of the world's container ships pass through its waters.
"The inaugural ministerial conference is a milestone," Mr Ciobo said.
"The blue economy is central to economic growth and job creation in all the Indian Ocean States including Australia. However, exploiting the ocean's resources needs to be done sustainably. It requires scientific research and innovation, which happen to be Australia's strengths."
Media release: Enhancing integration in the Indian Ocean