Laos Becomes Shanghai Cooperation Organization Dialogue Partner

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A memorandum granting Laos the status of a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has been signed at the organization's secretariat in Beijing. Dunyo news agency reported the development.

The document was signed by SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Thongsavanh Phomvihane.

Prior to the ceremony, the parties held a bilateral meeting. Nurlan Yermekbayev congratulated the Lao side on officially receiving the new status and expressed confidence that Vientiane will actively participate in the implementation of the organization's multifaceted agenda. He also briefed his counterpart on current areas of SCO activity and preparations for the upcoming summit of the organization in Bishkek.

The Lao Foreign Minister noted the significant role of the SCO on the international stage and stressed that his country attaches great importance to the development of cooperation within the framework of the organization. The parties also discussed practical steps to implement the signed memorandum and matters of interaction between the SCO and ASEAN.

The ceremony was attended by permanent representatives of the SCO member states to the secretariat of the organization, as well as ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions of member states and dialogue partners accredited in China.

Currently, the SCO members include Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Following the accession of Laos, the number of SCO dialogue partners has increased to 15.

In addition to Laos, this status is held by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cambodia, Egypt, Kuwait, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates.