On 18 February 2025, the SCO Secretariat hosted a meeting between Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Nurlan Yermekbayev and Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to China Fazil Najib.
The Ambassador congratulated the Secretary-General on recently assuming the office, praised the SCO’s activities and acknowledged its growing authority in regional and world affairs. He reaffirmed the Republic’s interest in further strengthening cooperation with the Organisation as a SCO dialogue partner.
The parties discussed the prospects for developing practical cooperation between the Maldives and the SCO under the Memorandum granting the Maldives the status of a dialogue partner.
For reference: On 16 September 2022, the SCO Heads of State Council decided to award the Republic of Maldives the status of a dialogue partner. The corresponding Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 4 May 2023 in Panaji, India.