SCO grants Afghanistan observer status

The heads of state marked a decade since the SCO’s founding and reviewed its institutional development. Their declaration emphasized the organization’s permanent bodies and cooperation record,...

The members expressed support for international law, cooperation and a more democratic international system. This language challenged unequal global institutions, while the SCO itself remained an...

The Council of Heads of State approved a regulation on admission of new members, establishing a formal basis for future enlargement. The process remained controlled by existing governments and...

The Council of Heads of Government issued a joint statement about the world economy and the SCO region. The statement reflected concern about economic uncertainty and the need for coordination, but it...

The six heads of state adopted a declaration describing a regional vision of peace, development and international cooperation. Its language of common prosperity raised a political aspiration;...

The summit granted Turkey dialogue-partner status, creating a structured channel for cooperation. The decision demonstrated that participation in SCO dialogue did not require abandoning other...

The Beijing summit adopted strategic directions for medium-term development. The strategy set shared priorities while leaving implementation to member governments and the organization’s...

The member states adopted a programme for cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism for 2013–2015. The programme extended coordination under the familiar three-part security framework,...

The Beijing summit revised mechanisms for political and diplomatic response to situations threatening regional peace, security and stability. The measure offered an alternative to unilateral action...

Prime ministers agreed to work on implementing the Beijing summit’s decisions and existing trade-cooperation plans. The communiqué highlights the recurring gap between high-level declarations and...