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.