Shanghai Cooperation Organization, History, Significance, Members, Structure etc.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a significant intergovernmental international organization established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, China. Formed initially by six founding member states, the SCO has evolved to become a key player in regional cooperation, focusing on a wide range of areas, including security, economic collaboration, and cultural exchange. 

Founding and Development

• Established on June 15, 2001, by Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
• The organization’s precursor was the “Shanghai Five” mechanism.
• The SCO Charter was signed in 2002 and came into force on September 19, 2003.

Goals of the SCO

• Strengthen mutual trust, friendship, and good-neighborliness among member states.
• Foster effective cooperation in politics, trade, economy, science, technology, culture, education, energy, transport, tourism, and environmental protection.
• Ensure and maintain peace, security, and stability in the region.
• Promote a new democratic, fair, and rational international political and economic order.

Core Principles

• Adheres to the “Shanghai spirit,” emphasizing mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and common development.
• Upholds principles of non-alignment, non-targeting, and openness in external relations.

Decision-Making Structure

The Council of Heads of State

• This is the highest decision-making body of the SCO and comprises the heads of state of all member countries. 
• It meets annually to set the overall strategic direction for the organization.

The Council of Heads of Government

• Second-highest council in the organization. 
• Holds annual summits, at which time members discuss issues of multilateral cooperation.

The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs

• Comprises the foreign ministers of all member countries and is responsible for coordinating the organization’s foreign policy.

The Сouncil of National Coordinators

• Key body coordinating and managing the SCO’s current activities. 
• Conducts the necessary preparations for the meetings of the Council of Heads of State, the Council of Heads of Government, and the Council of Foreign Ministers.

The Secretariat

• It is the administrative arm of the SCO, responsible for coordinating and implementing the decisions of the organization. 
• Based in Beijing, it is the main permanent executive body.
• The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General and he is nominated by the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and approved by the Heads of State Council.

The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)

• RATS is responsible for coordinating efforts among member countries to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
• RATS is headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The SCO Business Council

• Comprises representatives from the business communities of all member countries and is responsible for promoting economic cooperation and investment among member countries.

The SCO Interbank Consortium

• Comprises the central banks of all member countries and is responsible for promoting financial cooperation among member countries.

Standing Bodies

• Secretariat in Beijing : Manages the day-to-day operations of the SCO.

• Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent : Focuses on regional security issues.

Leadership

• The SCO Secretary General and the Director of the RATS Executive Committee are appointed by the CHS for a three-year term.
• Current leaders (as of January 1, 2022) include Zhang Ming (Secretary General) and R. E. Mirzaev (Director of RATS).

Membership and Partnerships

• Member States : 9 members include India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
• Observer States : 3 observers include Afghanistan, Belarus, and Mongolia.
• Dialogue Partners : 14 partners, including countries like Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

Composition

The membership of SCO has expanded since 2001, and it currently has eight member states.

• 1996: ‘Shanghai Five’ established by Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.
• 2001: After adding Uzbekistan in 2001, the Shanghai Five was renamed the SCO.
• 2015: At Ufa, Russia, the SCO decided to admit India and Pakistan as full members. 
• 2016: India and Pakistan signed the memorandum of obligations in Tashkent (Uzbekistan), thereby starting the formal process of joining the SCO as full members.
• 2017: At Astana, India and Pakistan officially joined SCO as full members
• 2021: It was announced that Iran would become a full member of the SCO.

International Collaboration

• The SCO collaborates with various organizations such as ASEAN, CIS, CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization), ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) , UNESCO, and others, enhancing its global outreach and influence.

Official Languages

• The official languages of the SCO are Russian and Chinese.

Current Office Bearers

• ZHANG MING – Secretary-General
• SHUKHRAT SOBIRZODA – SCO Deputy Secretary General
• SOHAIL KHAN – SCO Deputy Secretary General
• SHRI JANESH KAIN – SCO Deputy Secretary General
• NURAN NIYAZALIYEV – SCO Deputy Secretary General
• NURLAN YERMEKBAYEV – SCO Deputy Secretary General
• OLEG KOPYLOV – SCO Deputy Secretary General

 Last Couple of the SCO Summits since 2020

• 2024 – 25th Summit – Islamabad, Pakistan
• 2024 – 24th Summit – Astana, Kazakhstan
• 2023 – 23rd Summit – New Delhi, India
• 2022 – 22nd Summit – Samarkand, Uzbekistan
• 2021 –  21st Summit – Dushanbe, Tajikistan
• 2020 – 20th Summit – Moscow, Russia

SCO’s Significance

• The SCO has mainly focused on regional security issues, its fight against regional terrorism, ethnic separatism, and religious extremism, and promoted regional development.
• It covers 40%of the global population, nearly 20% of the global GDP and 22% of the world’s land mass.
• The SCO has the potential to act as a catalyst for achieving regional integration among Asian countries and promoting stability across borders. Additionally, the SCO’s efforts can foster improved connectivity throughout its area.