The number of member states of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) has become double-digit after Belarus joined as a full member. The summit began with a ceremony of signing documents on Belarus’ admission to the association, Belarusian media reported.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said as he opened the second day of SCO sessions in Astana and proposed signing of the relevant protocols:
“Belarus has completed all the necessary procedures on the way to SCO membership in a short period of time.”Â
Belarus became a dialogue partner in the SCO in 2010 and an observer state in 2015.
The Shanghai Co-operation Organisation was founded on June 15 2001 by the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. On June 9 2017, India and Pakistan joined the association on equal rights, and Iran joined on July 4 2023.
The SCO is not a fully military bloc (like NATO), but among the declared goals of the organisation are items aimed at strengthening stability and security in a wide area, combating terrorism, extremism and separatism.
At the same time, much attention is paid to economic co-operation, energy partnership, scientific and cultural exchange.
