GSO and SARSO Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Regional Cooperation in Standardization
The GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) and the South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 19th October 2025, on the sidelines of the IEC Annual Meeting 2025 in New Delhi, India.
The MoU was signed by H.E. Eng. Nawaf Ibrahim A. Al-Mana, President of GSO, and Dr. Shahzad Afzal, Director General of SARSO, in the presence of senior officials and delegates from both organizations.
This landmark agreement reflects the shared commitment of GSO and SARSO to strengthen collaboration in the fields of standardization and quality infrastructure. It provides a framework for cooperation that includes exchanging information, expertise, and publications; developing joint initiatives in awareness and capacity building; promoting harmonized standards to facilitate regional and global trade; and supporting the use of international standards as tools for sustainable development and consumer protection.
Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Eng. Nawaf Al-Mana, GSO President, emphasized that the agreement represents “a bridge connecting the Gulf and South Asian regions through harmonized standards, joint programs, and shared values that contribute to a more sustainable and interconnected world.”
Dr. Shahzad Afzal, SARSO Director, welcomed the partnership, noting that it “opens new avenues for cooperation and knowledge sharing, and strengthens the role of both SARSO and GSO in the global standardization community.” The MoU marks an important milestone in regional cooperation, laying the foundation for closer collaboration between GSO and SARSO, and reaffirming their mutual commitment to international best practices in standardization.
