Introduction

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organization established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, China. It is the world's largest regional organization by geography and population, covering about 80 percent of the Eurasian landmass and 40 percent of the world's population.

What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?

Origins: The SCO originated from the "Shanghai Five," formed in 1996, consisting of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. It was created to address concerns about extremist religious groups and ethnic tensions following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.

Establishment: SCO was established on 15th June 2001, in Shanghai, adding Uzbekistan as a sixth member. Before the inclusion of Belarus, it had nine members: India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan and Mongolia hold Observer Status.

Significance: The SCO addresses security issues in Asia with primarily Asian members. It is significant because it is one of the few international organizations focused on security issues and primarily consists of Asian members. Russia and China view it as an alternative to the "Western" international order and are positioning themselves against US influence, alongside the BRICS grouping and seeking to counterbalance US influence. The SCO represents 40% of the world's population, and member countries contribute approximately over USD 23 trillion to global GDP.

Membership

The SCO comprises ten member states, observer states, and partners:

  • Founding Members: Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
  • Expanded Membership: India and Pakistan joined in 2017, and Iran joined in 2023, bringing the total to nine member states.
  • New Member: Belarus
  • Observer States: Mongolia and Afghanistan.

With the integration of Iran, the SCO now controls 20 percent of the world’s oil reserves and 44 percent of its natural gas.

Objectives

The SCO aims to:

  • Promote peace and cooperation among member states.
  • Establish a new democratic, fair, and rational international political and economic order.

Organizational Structure

The SCO has a well-defined organizational structure:

  • Heads of State Council (HSC): The supreme decision-making body of the SCO, meeting once a year to adopt decisions and guidelines on all important matters of the organization.
  • Permanent Bodies:
    • SCO Secretariat: Based in Beijing, it handles the administrative functions of the organization.
    • Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, it promotes cooperation among member states against terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

Official Languages

The official languages of the SCO are Chinese and Russian.

Headquarters

Beijing, China

Secretary-Generals

Zhang Ming

Deputy Secretaries-General

Sobirzoda Gulmakhmad; Sohail Khan; Shri Janesh Kain; Nuran Niyazaliyev; Nurlan Yermekbayev

Conclusion

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) plays a crucial role in fostering regional cooperation and ensuring peace among its member states. Its expansive reach and significant control over global resources make it a pivotal player on the international stage. Understanding the SCO's structure, objectives, and membership is essential for anyone interested in global affairs and competitive exams.