UAE joins SCO as dialogue partner

The UAE has been officially granted the status of a "Dialogue Partner" in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), on the sidelines of the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization, which was held in Goa, Republic of India, on 4-5 May 2023. The UAE's participation culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to join the Association as a dialogue partner.

The UAE was represented at the signing ceremony by Dr. Abdul Nasser Al Shaali, UAE Ambassador to India.

The award of the status of "Dialogue Partner" embodies the UAE's continuous efforts to maintain and develop balanced and diversified partnerships with countries and multilateral organizations around the world.

In light of the UAE's partnership in the SCO region, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, stressed the great role played by the SCO over recent decades in supporting political stability and economic prosperity throughout Eurasia and beyond.

His Highness affirmed the UAE's unwavering commitment to multilateralism as an active member of the international community, noting that the country recognizes the crucial importance of organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in building bridges of cooperation among member states towards achieving common goals.

"In the coming period, the UAE will seek to take effective steps in its partnership with the SCO and its member states. We are delighted to join as a dialogue partner in an organization whose global impact and relevance continue to grow."

The SCO was established in June 2001. The main objectives of the organization are to strengthen relations among member States, promote cooperation in political affairs, economy, trade, science and culture, education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection, maintain regional peace, security and stability, and establish a just international political and economic order.

OIC Member States include the People's Republic of China, the Republic of India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The organization also includes the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Republic of Belarus and Mongolia as observer states. The UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Maldives and Myanmar have joined the list of current dialogue partners in the organization, which includes: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, the Republic of Turkey and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.