Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

Purpose

Promote political, economic and security cooperation among member states across Eurasia, with a strong focus on counterterrorism and regional stability.

Members:

10 member states

Headquarters:

Beijing, China

History

The SCO grew out of the earlier "Shanghai Five" grouping (China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan) and was formally founded in 2001 with the addition of Uzbekistan, evolving into a broader Eurasian security and economic forum led jointly by China and Russia.

Structure

• Heads of State Council
• Heads of Government Council
• Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General
• Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)

Key facts

• India and Pakistan both joined as full members in 2017, the organization's first major expansion
• Iran joined as a full member in 2023, and Belarus in 2024

Pakistan's relationship

Full member since 2017; Pakistan hosted the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad in 2024.