Laos Joins SCO as Dialogue Partner

Laos has officially become a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) after signing a memorandum of understanding with the bloc at its headquarters in Beijing.

The agreement was signed by SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, completing the formal process that began when member states approved Laos' new status at the SCO summit in Tianjin in September 2025.

The memorandum outlines the rights and obligations of Laos as a dialogue partner, as well as areas for future cooperation. Under SCO rules, dialogue partners may participate in specialized meetings, ministerial gatherings, and expert forums covered by the agreement.

Founded in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization comprises China, Russia, Belarus, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Its dialogue partner network also includes Azerbaijan, Armenia, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Cambodia, Egypt, Kuwait, the Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and now Laos.