This year, the SCO Summit will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, from October 15 to October 6, 2024. It will be the 25th meeting of the heads of state of the member countries.
The summit will focus on enhancing cooperation in various areas such as security, economy, and culture among the member nations.
Before discussing the 25th SCO Summit in more detail, let's understand what a SCO Summit is and why it is held.
The SCO Summit is an annual meeting where leaders from member countries discuss and coordinate important regional issues. These summits are crucial in strengthening ties and promoting mutual understanding among the member nations.
What is SCO Summit?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a prominent intergovernmental organisation founded on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, China. Initially established by six countries—China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—the SCO has since expanded to include ten full member states as of 2024.
Objectives and Structure
The primary goals of the SCO are:
- Strengthening mutual trust and cooperation among member states.
- Promoting collaboration in political, economic, cultural, and security domains.
- Ensuring regional stability and security through collective efforts against terrorism and extremism.
The SCO's governance structure includes several key bodies:
- Heads of State Council (HSC): The supreme decision-making body that meets annually to address significant issues.
- Heads of Government Council (HGC): Focuses on economic cooperation and approves the organisation's budget.
- Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Coordinates counter-terrorism efforts among member states.
List of the SCO Summits Till 2024
The SCO holds annual summits where leaders discuss pressing regional and global issues. The most recent summit was the 24th SCO Summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on July 4, 2024. The next summit is scheduled for October 15-16, 2024, in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Here's the list of the SCO Summits that have been held from 2001 to 2024:
| Year | Name of the SCO Summit | Place Held | Date | Countries Participated | Theme/Focus Areas |
| 2024 | Twenty-fifth SCO Summit | Islamabad, Pakistan | October 15-16, 2024 | India, Pakistan, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran | Regional security, economic cooperation, combating terrorism |
| 2024 | Twenty-fourth SCO Summit | Astana, Kazakhstan | July 3-4, 2024 | Same as above | Security and economic cooperation |
| 2023 | Twenty-third SCO Summit | New Delhi, India | July 4, 2023 | Same as above | Multilateral cooperation and regional issues |
| 2022 | Twenty-second SCO Summit | Samarkand, Uzbekistan | September 15-16, 2022 | Same as above | Economic development and regional connectivity |
| 2021 | Twenty-first SCO Summit | Dushanbe, Tajikistan | September 17-18, 2021 | Same as above | Security challenges in Afghanistan |
| 2020 | Twentieth SCO Summit | Moscow, Russia | November 30 - December 1, 2020 | Virtual meeting due to COVID-19 | Health security and economic recovery |
| 2019 | Nineteenth SCO Summit | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | June 13-14, 2019 | Same as above | Regional stability and counter-terrorism |
| 2018 | Eighteenth SCO Summit | Qingdao, China | June 9-10, 2018 | Same as above | Trade cooperation and security |
| 2017 | Seventeenth SCO Summit | Astana, Kazakhstan | June 8-9, 2017 | Same as above | Expansion of the organisation; security issues |
| 2016 | Sixteenth SCO Summit | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | June 23-24, 2016 | Same as above | Terrorism and extremism |
| 2015 | Fifteenth SCO Summit | Ufa, Russia | July 9-10, 2015 | Same as above | Economic cooperation and security |
| 2014 | Fourteenth SCO Summit | Dushanbe, Tajikistan | September 11-12, 2014 | Same as above | Regional security and economic integration |
| 2013 | Thirteenth SCO Summit | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | September 13-14, 2013 | Same as above | Counter-terrorism and regional stability |
| 2012 | Twelfth SCO Summit | Beijing, China | June 6-7, 2012 | Same as above | Security and economic issues |
| 2011 | Eleventh SCO Summit | Astana, Kazakhstan | June 14-15, 2011 | Same as above | Regional cooperation and development |
| 2010 | Tenth SCO Summit | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | June 10-11, 2010 | Same as above | Security threats and economic cooperation |
| 2009 | Ninth SCO Summit | Yekaterinburg, Russia | June 15-16, 2009 | Same as above | Regional security and economic development |
| 2008 | Eighth SCO Summit | Dushanbe, Tajikistan | August 28, 2008 | Same as above | Drug trafficking and terrorism |
| 2007 | Seventh SCO Summit | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | August 16, 2007 | Same as above | Security and anti-terrorism |
| 2006 | Sixth SCO Summit | Shanghai, China | June 15, 2006 | Same as above | Energy security and economic collaboration |
| 2005 | Fifth SCO Summit | Astana, Kazakhstan | July 5, 2005 | Same as above | Economic cooperation and regional stability |
| 2004 | Fourth SCO Summit | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | June 17, 2004 | Same as above | Counter-terrorism strategies |
| 2003 | Third SCO Summit | Moscow, Russia | May 29, 2003 | Same as above | Regional security issues |
| 2002 | Second SCO Summit | Saint Petersburg, Russia | June 7, 2002 | Same as above | Security cooperation and anti-terrorism |
| 2001 | First SCO Summit | Shanghai, China | June 14, 2001 | India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan | Establishment and foundational goals |
Source: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization.org
Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) currently has ten full member states as of 2024. These members are:
- China
- India
- Iran
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Pakistan
- Russia
- Tajikistan
- Uzbekistan
- Belarus (joined in July 2024)
In addition to these members, the SCO has two observer states: Afghanistan and Mongolia, along with 14 dialogue partners, which include countries like Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Egypt. The organisation focuses on enhancing regional security, economic cooperation, and combating terrorism among its member states.
Main Goals and Theme of 25th SCO Summit 2024
The 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit is scheduled to take place on October 15-16, 2024, in Islamabad, Pakistan. The summit aims to address several pressing issues and will focus on key themes:
Main Goals of the 25th SCO Summit 2024
- Combating Terrorism: A significant agenda item will be addressing cross-border terrorism and enhancing security cooperation among member states. This includes initiatives to isolate countries that harbour terrorists and strengthen the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS).
- Economic Cooperation: The summit will emphasise economic collaboration, including trade and investment initiatives. The "Make in India" initiative is expected to be highlighted as a potential driver for global economic growth, promoting partnerships, particularly with nations in the Global South.
- Climate Change and Environmental Protection: Addressing climate change through sustainable practices and climate-resilient infrastructure will be a major focus, aligning with the SCO's broader goals of environmental protection and sustainable development.
- Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue: The overarching theme of the summit is "Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue—Striving Towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity." This reflects a commitment to fostering cooperation among member states amidst rising global tensions.
- Regional Stability and Security: Discussions will also centre on enhancing regional stability, addressing ongoing conflicts, and promoting a multipolar world order. This includes reviewing the organisation’s activities over the past two decades and strategising for future cooperation.
The upcoming summit will be attended by the Prime Ministers of China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the first Vice President of Iran and the External Affairs Minister of India.
Additionally, the Foreign Ministers and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Turkmenistan will participate as special guests, and the Prime Minister of Mongolia will attend as an observer state.
The summit will gather leaders from member states, including notable figures like India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who will represent India at this significant multilateral event. During the summit, PM Shehbaz will also engage in bilateral discussions with the visiting heads of delegation.
Also Read| SCO Summit 2024 in Pakistan: October Dates, Schedule, Members and Agenda
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