Maldives has welcomed the decision to be granted status of dialogue partner to Maldives at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) 2022 Annual Summit of Head of States Council.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the Maldivian government has welcomed the decision of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to grant the status of dialogue partner to the island nation, at the upcoming summit of Head of States to be hosted in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The summit will kick off in September 2022.

The decision was announced following the Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from July 27 – 28.

The foreign ministry highlighted that the government believes, becoming a dialogue partner will place the island nation at the heart of the region’s economic activities.

It will also pave way for Maldives and other Member States to work even closer on achieving shared priorities.

Further, it will also enhance the way for Maldives to actively engage in addressing challenges to maritime security as well as to enhance cooperation with SCO Member States on issues central to the government’s foreign policy.

Established on 15 June 2001, the SCO comprises of eight member states including India, Kazakhstan, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.