The United Arab Emirates has earned the status of a dialogue partner with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a development noted by official UAE channels. The announcement came during the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, where the UAE formally joined as a dialogue partner and a memorandum of understanding on joining the SCO was signed.
Abdel Nasser Al-Shaali, the UAE ambassador to India, represented the country at the ceremony. The confirmation of this status underscores the UAE’s commitment to broadening its engagement with countries and multilateral organizations across the globe.
Previously, it was announced that Saudi Arabia received approval to pursue dialogue partner status within the SCO, marking another step in regional cooperation and alignment with SCO initiatives.
Founded on June 15, 2001, the SCO was established by the leaders of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Its core objectives focus on enhancing regional stability and security, countering terrorism, separatism, and extremism, and promoting economic cooperation as well as scientific and cultural exchanges and partnerships.
In September of the previous year, memorandums of partnership were signed with Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia under SCO dialogue arrangements. There were also decisions to begin the process of granting dialogue partner status to Bahrain, Kuwait, the Maldives, Myanmar, and the United States. The entry of Iran and Belarus remains a topic of ongoing discussion among SCO members and observers.
For audiences in Canada and the United States, the development signals a broader pattern of engagement where regional powers seek formal ties with major multilateral groups to shape security and economic landscapes. The UAE’s move sits within a larger context of diversification of international partnerships designed to facilitate trade, energy cooperation, and collaborative approaches to regional challenges.
As the SCO expands its reach, observers note that the organization emphasizes stability and practical cooperation across a wide range of sectors, from energy and infrastructure to technology and cultural exchange. The implications for North American observers include potential new channels for dialogue, increased visibility for shared regional interests, and evolving opportunities for business, science, and education collaborations that involve SCO member states and partners.