Dr Khadijeh Karimi,

Director General of the Vice Presidency for Women and Family Affairs

Chair of the IORA Working Group on Women's Economic Empowerment (WGWEE)

Office of the vice-Presidency

Islamic Republic of Iran

Esteemed Dr Karimi,

It is with profound sadness and deep sorrow that we received the tragic news of the passing of the President of Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E Ebrahim Raisi and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iran, H.E Hossein Amir-Abdollahian as well as other officials of the delegation.

On behalf of the Secretariat of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the President's Office, the Vice Presidency's office, the Government, and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran during this painful tragedy.

It was an honour for me to meet President Raisi and Minister Amir-Abdollahian during my visit to Tehran last year. President Raisi's leadership and the active role of Minister Amir-Abdollahian in the Association have been invaluable to our shared goals of regional cooperation and progress.

May the souls of the departed rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives. May the resilience and unity of the Iranian people guide the nation through this difficult period.

With deepest sympathy,

Dr. Salman Al Farisi

Secretary-General