SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov sent a message of congratulations to Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit on the League's 75th anniversary.
The letter notes that, over the decades, the League has become an important venue for integrating the Arab world, and that it has played a considerable organisational, political and economic role at the regional and international levels.
"The League's influence is reflected in various spheres of economic and cultural cooperation, as well as in the joint political and diplomatic activities of the Arab states aimed at resolving common problems," Vladimir Norov noted.
In his message, the SCO Secretary-General noted the growing role of regional organisations in maintaining global stability and security and in facilitating sustainable economic development. Vladimir Norov underscored the need to strengthen cooperation between regional associations for drafting more effective measures to combat new challenges.
The message also notes that the 2019 meetings between the SCO and the Arab League secretaries-general in New York, as well as consultations with ambassadors and mission representatives from the Arab League states in Beijing, highlighted similar positions regarding mutual collaboration in key areas. For example, Mr Norov recalled that the ambassadors of the Arab League states had noted wide-ranging opportunities for mutual cooperation between both associations and the importance of formalising SCO-Arab League relations.
The Secretary-General expressed confidence that the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two organisations would open up new opportunities for unlocking the potential of existing SCO-Arab League cooperation.
The Arab League, an inter-governmental regional organisation, was established on 22 March 1945 at a conference of Arab states in Cairo.
Passed on 11 May 1945, the Arab League's Charter notes that "the League has as its purpose the strengthening of the relations between the member-states, the coordination of their policies in order to achieve cooperation between them and to safeguard their independence and sovereignty. It has also as its purpose the close cooperation of the member-states on the following matters:
Economic and financial affairs, including commercial relations, customs, currency and questions of agriculture and industry."
The Arab League has missions or information bureaus in many countries, including the People's Republic of China.