The chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma has proposed to constitute a working group of navies within Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) to study the simple and economically feasible energy efficient technologies to reduce carbon footprints.<br/><br/>Speaking at Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in Abu Dhabi last evening, Admiral Verma said that considering the fact that two thirds of the world’s oil shipments, one third of its bulk cargo, and half the world’s container traffic passes through the expanse of the Indian Ocean, the navigational safety through greater coordination and sharing of hydrographic expertise, training facilities and resources is important for all the countries of IONS. He said, ‘the oceans around us are gaining new found importance as each day goes by and world’s pre-eminent energy and trade seaway, the Indian Ocean, will matter even more in future.’<br/><br/>On the issue of Piracy Admiral Verma said that coordinated and cooperative efforts are the key to counter the menace in the affected areas of the Western Indian Ocean and many navies are contributing to and benefiting from information sharing in the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa.<br/><br/>He handed over the Chairmanship of the IONS to the Commander of the UAE Navy, Naval Staff Brigadier Ibrahim Salim Al Musharrakh.<br/><br/>IONS, which brings together representatives of navies that operate in the Indian Ocean, was first held in New Delhi from 14 to 16 February 2008 where 27 of the 35 member – navies of the IOR littoral participated. Delegations from 32 nations are attending this year's three-day conference, which opened yesterday.