(SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organization founded by the leaders of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In June 2016, there were plans for India and Pakistan to join the organization.
In June 2002, at the St. Petersburg summit of the heads of state of the SCO, the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was signed, which entered into force on September 19, 2003. This is the basic statutory document that sets out the goals and principles of the Organization, its structure and main areas of activity.
An important step in strengthening the legal framework of the association was the signing in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) in August 2007 of the Agreement on Long-Term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation.
In 2006, the organization announced plans to combat the international drug mafia as the financial support of terrorism in the world, and in 2008 - active participation in normalizing the situation in Afghanistan.
In parallel, the activities of the SCO have also acquired a broad economic focus. In September 2003, the heads of government of the SCO member countries signed the Program of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation, designed for 20 years. The long-term goal is to create a free trade zone in the SCO space, and in the short term, to intensify the process of creating favorable conditions in the field of trade and investment.
The highest decision-making body in the SCO is the Council of Heads of Member States (CHS). It determines priorities and develops the main directions of the Organization’s activities, resolves fundamental issues of its internal structure and functioning, interaction with other states and international organizations, and also considers the most pressing international problems.
The Council meets for regular meetings once a year. The chairmanship at a meeting of the Council of Heads of State is carried out by the head of state - the organizer of the next meeting. The location of the next meeting of the Council is determined, as a rule, in the order of the Russian alphabet of the names of the SCO member states.
The Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) adopts the Organization's budget, considers and resolves major issues related to specific, especially economic, areas of development of interaction within the Organization.
The Council meets for regular meetings once a year. The Council meeting is chaired by the head of government (Prime Minister) of the state in whose territory the meeting is being held. The location of the next meeting of the Council is determined by prior agreement of the heads of government (prime ministers) of the member states.
The Council of Foreign Ministers considers issues of the current activities of the Organization, preparation for a meeting of the Council of Heads of State and consultations within the Organization on international issues. The Council may, if necessary, make statements on behalf of the SCO. The Council usually meets one month before the meeting of the Council of Heads of State.
Within the SCO, there is a mechanism for meetings at the level of heads of line ministries and departments.
The most important economic structures are
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a permanent regional international organization founded in June 2001 by the leaders of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Prior to this, all countries, with the exception of Uzbekistan, were members of the “Shanghai Five”, a political association based on the “Agreement on Strengthening Confidence in the Military Field in the Border Area” (Shanghai, 1996) and the “Agreement on the Mutual Reduction of Armed Forces in the Border Area” (Moscow, 1997).
These two documents laid down a mechanism of mutual trust in the military field in border areas and contributed to the establishment of truly partnership relations. After the inclusion of Uzbekistan in the organization (2001), the “five” became the “six” and was renamed the SCO. In addition, currently four countries - Belarus, Iran, Mongolia and Afghanistan - have observer status in the organization, and six - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey, Sri Lanka - are dialogue partners.
The tasks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization initially lay in the sphere of mutual intraregional actions to suppress terrorist acts, separatism and extremism in Central Asia. In June 2002, at the St. Petersburg summit of the heads of state of the SCO, the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was signed (came into force on September 19, 2003). This is the basic statutory document that sets out the goals and principles of the Organization, its structure and main areas of activity. In addition, in 2006, the Organization announced plans to combat the international drug mafia as the financial support of terrorism in the world, and in 2008 - active participation in normalizing the situation in Afghanistan.
In parallel, the activities of the SCO have also acquired a broad economic focus. In September 2003, the heads of government of the SCO member countries signed the Program of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation, designed for 20 years. The long-term goal is to create a free trade zone in the SCO space, and in the short term to intensify the process of creating favorable conditions in the field of trade and investment.
Today, cooperation within the SCO covers the areas of energy, transport, agriculture, telecommunications and many other sectors of the economy. The countries included in it interact widely in the scientific, technical, cultural, educational, tourism, and humanitarian spheres.
In relations within the Organization, the SCO member states proceed from the idea of the “Shanghai spirit”, adhere to the principles of consensus, mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, respect for the diversity of cultures, and the desire for common development. In its foreign relations, the SCO proceeds from the principles of openness, non-affiliation with blocs, and non-direction against third countries.
The highest decision-making body in the SCO is the Council of Heads of Member States, which meets once a year. Countries preside over the Organization alternately, on an annual basis, ending their term of office with a summit.
The SCO has two permanent bodies - the Secretariat in Beijing and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure in Tashkent. The most important economic instruments are the Business Council and the SCO Interbank Association.
Official working languages are Russian and Chinese.
In accordance with the decision of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Rashid Alimov took up the post of SCO Secretary General in January 2016.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organization, the creation of which was announced on June 15, 2001 in Shanghai (PRC) by the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan. It was preceded by the Shanghai Five mechanism.
In June 2002, at the St. Petersburg Summit of the Heads of SCO Member States, the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was signed, which came into force on September 19, 2003. This is a basic statutory document that sets out the goals and principles of the organization, its structure and main areas of activity.
On June 8-9, 2017, a historic meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization took place in Astana, during which the status of a member state of the Organization was granted to the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The main goals of the SCO include: strengthening mutual trust and good neighborliness between member countries; promoting their effective cooperation in political, trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural fields, as well as in the fields of education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection and others; jointly ensuring and maintaining peace, security and stability in the region; progress towards the creation of a democratic, fair and rational new international political and economic order.
In relations within the organization, the SCO member states, based on the "Shanghai Spirit", adhere to the principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, mutual consultation, respect for the diversity of cultures and the desire for common development, and in external relations they adhere to the principle of non-alliance and not targeting anyone and openness.
The highest decision-making body in the SCO is the Council of Heads of Member States (CHS). It meets once a year and makes decisions and instructions on all important issues of the Organization. The Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the SCO member states (CHG) meets once a year to discuss the strategy of multilateral cooperation and priority areas within the Organization, resolve fundamental and pressing issues of economic and other cooperation, and also approves the annual budget of the Organization. The official languages of the SCO are Russian and Chinese.
In addition to the meetings of the CHS and the CST, there is also a mechanism for meetings at the level of heads of parliaments, secretaries of security councils, ministers of foreign affairs, defense, emergency situations, economics, transport, culture, education, health, heads of law enforcement agencies, supreme and arbitration courts, and prosecutors general. The coordination mechanism within the SCO is the Council of National Coordinators of the SCO Member States (SNK).
The organization has two permanent bodies - the SCO Secretariat in Beijing and the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) in Tashkent. The SCO Secretary General and the Director of the SCO RATS Executive Committee are appointed by the Council of Heads of State for a period of three years. Since January 1, 2016, these posts have been respectively occupied by Rashid Alimov (Tajikistan) and Evgeniy Sysoev (Russia).
So currently:
- eight countries are member states of the SCO - the Republic of India, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan;
- four countries have observer state status with the SCO - the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Republic of Belarus, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Mongolia;
- six countries are SCO dialogue partners - the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, the Republic of Turkey, and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
The growing influence of such international organizations as NATO and the UN is forcing economically developed countries from different parts of the world to consolidate for joint cooperation in order to effectively counter the growing security threats and economic problems. One of such international associations was the SCO. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a young international association of six Asian countries, which includes Russia, among others. This is not an economic union, with a single trade space, and not a military bloc, with common troops and bases. In terms of its tasks and goals, it is somewhere in between, covering both components not on a global scale, preserving the individuality of all states.
History of the SCO
The SCO was initially informally called the Shanghai Five. The nineties were quite a difficult time for the states of Central Asia. Terrorist activity increased, territorial claims accumulated in bordering areas of states, and problems of economic relations arose. In 1996-1997, states such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia and Tajikistan moved towards rapprochement in an attempt to get rid of contradictions. The dialogue went well, and in 2001, having included Uzbekistan in its joint activities, a new international organization of Asian countries began to be created. This is how the SCO, or “Shanghai Six,” appeared.
For three years, work was carried out to create a documentary base and structure of the organization. From 2008 to 2012, other countries, and not only those of the Asian format, showed interest in the SCO. The composition has not expanded, but states have the opportunity to participate in the work of the SCO as observers (Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan) or partners (Belarus, Sri Lanka, Turkey). The organization is currently preparing for its first expansion to include Pakistan and India.
SCO structure
- The top of the hierarchy is the Council of Heads of State. The main purpose of the congresses, which are held once a year, is to set the tone, set goals, and discuss important issues for the current year.
- Council of Heads of Government. Members of this body directly examine issues of cooperation within the SCO, outline the goals of committees and structures, give them tasks, and approve the budget.
- The executive body is the Secretariat. Located in Beijing.
- One of the key bodies of the organization is the RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure), whose specialized units are located in all states, and its headquarters are in Tashkent. This structure oversees member states on issues of terrorism, extremism and possible separatism.
- The Council of Foreign Ministers decides on issues of interaction between the SCO and other state entities.
- The Council of National Coordinators creates working conditions between structures within the SCO.
Secondary are the committees responsible for economic and cultural cooperation and others.
Objectives of the SCO
- Effective interaction of member countries in suppressing and combating terrorism, extremism and separatism. The fight against the sale and production of narcotic substances, illegal arms trafficking, and the sale of people. It was this common misfortune that became the foundation for the creation of the organization.
- Strengthening friendly relations in the military sphere, which is represented by joint exercises, exchange of experience, assistance in conducting anti-terrorist operations. Economic cooperation. It is not the first violin of relations in the organization, but issues of trade turnover between states, economic cooperation outside the SCO, development support are an important topic for a number of member countries.
- Interaction in cultural development between the member countries of the Shanghai Six.
- Creation of rights and freedoms and their provision in the territories of member countries in accordance with international obligations.
- Cooperation with other states and organizations.
- Joint search for solutions to global world problems.
Brief summary
It cannot be said that the SCO is a counterweight to such entities as NATO. However, the established military potential of the member countries, which are constantly improving and learning to coordinate their actions in the fight against a common enemy, makes the young organization a significant global political player. Despite existing contradictions, whether in the economy or in methods of combating terrorism, member countries know how to find common ground and successfully cope with controversial issues. Now the SCO has strengthened its position to such an extent that it makes sense to predict its expansion and further successful development.
What is the SCO?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organization.
The main goals of the SCO include: strengthening mutual trust and good neighborliness between member states; promoting their effective cooperation in political, trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural fields, as well as in the fields of education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection and others; jointly ensuring and maintaining peace, security and stability in the region; progress towards the creation of a democratic, fair and rational new international political and economic order.
In relations within the organization, the SCO member states adhere to the idea of the “Shanghai spirit” and the principles of consensus and mutual trust, mutually beneficial cooperation, equality, mutual consultation, respect for the diversity of cultures and the desire for common development; and in external relations - the principles of openness, non-affiliation with blocs and non-direction against third countries.
History of the creation of the SCO
The establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was announced on June 15, 2001 in Shanghai (PRC) by the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Prior to this, all of these countries, with the exception of Uzbekistan, were members of the “Shanghai Five” - a political association based on the Agreement on Strengthening Confidence in the Military Field in the Border Area (Shanghai, 1996) and the Agreement on the Mutual Reduction of Armed Forces in the Border Area (Moscow, 1997) . These two documents laid down a mechanism of mutual trust in the military field in border areas and contributed to the establishment of truly partnership relations. After the inclusion of Uzbekistan in the organization (2001), the “five” became the “six” and was renamed the SCO.
The tasks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization initially lay in the sphere of mutual intraregional actions to suppress terrorist acts, separatism and extremism in Central Asia. In June 2002, at the St. Petersburg summit of the heads of state of the SCO, the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was signed, which came into force on September 19, 2003. This is a basic statutory document that sets out the goals and principles of the organization, its structure and main areas of activity. In addition, in 2006, SCO plans were announced to combat the international drug mafia as the financial support of terrorism in the world, and in 2008 - active participation in normalizing the situation in Afghanistan.
In parallel, the activities of the SCO have also acquired a broad economic focus. In September 2003, the heads of government of the SCO member states signed the Program of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation, designed for 20 years. The long-term goal is to create a free trade zone in the SCO space, and in the short term to intensify the process of creating favorable conditions in the field of trade and investment.
Which countries take part in the SCO?
Currently, six countries are full members of the SCO - Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan; Five countries - Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan - have observer status in the SCO, and three - Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka - are dialogue partners.
How many council meetingsheads of state of the SCO has it already been done?
A total of 14 meetings of the Council of Heads of SCO Member States took place:
In 2015, the 15th meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO Member States will be held in Ufa (Russian Federation).
How is the SCO work process organized?
The highest decision-making body in the SCO is the Council of Heads of State (CHS). It meets once a year and makes decisions on all important issues.
The SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meets once a year to discuss the strategy of multilateral cooperation and priority areas of development, resolve fundamental and pressing issues of economic and other cooperation, and also approves the annual budget of the organization.
In addition to the meetings of the CHS and the CGP, there is a mechanism for meetings at the level of heads of parliaments, law enforcement agencies, supreme and arbitration courts, secretaries of security councils, prosecutors general, as well as ministers of foreign affairs, defense, emergency situations, economy, transport, culture, education and health.
The coordination mechanism within the SCO is the SCO Council of National Coordinators (SNC).
The organization has two permanent bodies - the Secretariat in Beijing (PRC) and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure in Tashkent (Republic of Uzbekistan).
The Secretary General and the Director of the Executive Committee are appointed by the Council of Heads of State for a period of three years. Since January 1, 2013, these posts have been occupied by Dmitry Fedorovich Mezentsev (Russian Federation) and Zhang Xinfeng (People's Republic of China), respectively.
Russian and Chinese are recognized as the official working languages of the SCO.
What is RATS SCO?
The Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is a permanent body. The headquarters of the organization is located in the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan - the city of Tashkent.
The SCO RATS Executive Committee in its activities is guided by the provisions of the SCO Charter, the Shanghai Convention on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism, the Agreement between the SCO member states on the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure, as well as other documents and decisions adopted within the SCO.
What is the SCO Business Council?
The Business Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO BC) was established on June 14, 2006 in Shanghai (China) and is a non-governmental structure that brings together the most authoritative representatives of the business community of the SCO member states with the aim of expanding economic cooperation, establishing direct connections and dialogue between business and financial circles, promoting the practical promotion of multilateral projects. Among the priority areas of interstate cooperation, along with energy, transport, telecommunications, credit and banking, the council highlights the interaction of the SCO countries in the fields of education, science and innovative technologies, healthcare and agriculture.
The SCO BC is an independent structure capable of making advisory decisions and giving expert assessments on promising areas for connecting representatives of the business community of the SCO member states to trade, economic and investment interaction within the organization.
The highest body of the SCO Business Council is the annual session, which determines priorities and develops the main directions of its activities, and resolves the most important issues of relations with business associations of other states.
The permanent Secretariat of the SCO DS is located in Moscow.
What is the SCO Interbank Association?
The SCO Interbank Association (SCO IBA) was created by a decision of the Council of Heads of Government on October 26, 2005 with the aim of organizing a mechanism for financing and banking services for investment projects supported by the governments of the SCO member states. A meeting of the SCO IBO is held with the general consent of the parties as necessary, but at least once a year. The chairmanship of the council is carried out on the principle of rotation.
The members of the SCO IBO include: Development Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, State Development Bank of the People's Republic of China, Settlement and Savings Company of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan OJSC RSK Bank, Vnesheconombank of the Russian Federation, State Savings Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan "Amonatbonk" and the National Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan .
The priority areas of cooperation within the framework of the SCO IBO are: providing financing for the implementation of projects with an emphasis on infrastructure construction, basic industries, high-tech industries, export-oriented sectors of the economy, socially significant projects; provision and attraction of loans taking into account generally accepted international banking practices; organization of pre-export financing in order to stimulate trade and economic relations between the SCO member states and other areas of common interest.
Host photo agency
The host photo agency carries out official photography of all chairmanship events open to the media. Photo materials are posted online in a special section of the official website of the Russian Federation's presidency of the SCO and can be used by media representatives.
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