Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Summit Opens in China, Focuses on Regional Cooperation, Development

The annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has officially begun in Tianjin, China, bringing together leaders from 21 countries and representatives of more than 10 international organizations.

The summit is expected to adopt key documents, including the organization’s development strategy for the next decade, The Caspian Post reports via local media.

Founded in 2001 in Shanghai by six countries-Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan-the SCO has grown to include 10 full member states: Russia, Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan and Mongolia currently hold observer status, while 15 nations, including Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Cambodia, Armenia, Qatar, Kuwait, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Sri Lanka, are recognized as dialogue partners.

The SCO aims to enhance regional stability and security, foster economic cooperation, strengthen energy partnerships, and promote scientific and cultural collaboration among its members. Since 2002, annual summits of heads of state have been held consistently, with 23 summits convened to date.

Azerbaijan, known for its active role in regional and international organizations, has expanded its cooperation with the SCO in recent years. The country was granted dialogue partner status at the SCO Summit in Ufa in July 2015, and the scope of collaboration was formalized in a memorandum signed in 2016, highlighting Azerbaijan’s commitment to deepening ties with the organization.