Beijing (TDI): Laos has officially become a Dialogue Partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) after signing a memorandum during a ceremony held in Beijing on Friday.
Laos was granted Dialogue Partner status following unanimous approval by SCO member states at the Council of Heads of State Summit held in Tianjin in September 2025.
With Laos joining the organization, the SCO now comprises 10 full member states, two observer states and 15 dialogue partners. The new status is expected to deepen Laos’ cooperation with SCO members, strengthen ties with Eurasian countries and support the country’s social and economic development.
Officials said Laos’ participation also reflects the SCO’s commitment to an open, inclusive and cooperative regional framework.
During the 2025 SCO Summit, Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev expressed confidence that Laos would play an active role in advancing the organization’s wide-ranging agenda.
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China strongly backed Laos’ accession to the SCO framework, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcoming the move and expressing hope that Laos would contribute to the organization’s future development.
Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane thanked China for its support and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to maintaining close coordination with Beijing in promoting regional cooperation and safeguarding international fairness and justice.
Strategically located in the Mekong sub-region, Laos is considered an important link between China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
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Officials believe the China-Laos Railway and the country’s growing regional connectivity will help strengthen economic cooperation and transport links between Southeast Asia and SCO member states.
