The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was founded on June 15, 2001. The organization includes 10 member states, covering an area of about 36 million square meters. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
Half of the planet's population lives here, and the union countries produce a quarter of the world's gross domestic product. This association originates from the "Shanghai Five," established in 1996.
Initially, it consisted of five states (Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan). In 2001, Uzbekistan joined, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was officially formed. Later, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus joined.
One of the main tasks of the SCO is to maintain and strengthen peace, security, and stability in the region. It promotes multilateral cooperation to help create a new democratic, fair, and rational political and economic international order.
The Council of Heads of State of the SCO member states makes the most important decisions of the organization. It defines priorities and develops the main directions of its activities. Its internal structure resolves fundamental issues of interaction with other states and international organizations. It also considers the most pressing international problems.
The Council meets for regular sessions once a year. The head of the state organizing the regular session chairs the meeting of the Council of Heads of State. The venue for the regular session of the Council is usually determined in the order of the Russian alphabet of the names of the SCO member states.
Over 25 years, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has transformed from a border union into a powerful center of global influence. Countries not only protect borders but also jointly fight terrorism, develop energy, and build new transport routes.