From the Shanghai Five to 10 Members: SCO Marks 25 Years
Economy
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is marking its 25th anniversary after evolving from a mechanism focused on border confidence-building into a 10-member organisation with a broad economic, transport and humanitarian agenda. At the anniversary summit in Bishkek, Uzbekistan proposed developing an “SCO–2040: A Space for Common Development” concept to further expand practical cooperation.
The anniversary meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State was held on September 1, 2026, under the chairmanship of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. The summit approved 28 documents, including the Bishkek Declaration and a protocol amending the SCO Charter.
The organisation was established in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined in 2017, Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024. The SCO now has 10 member states, two observer states and 15 dialogue partners.
Over the past 25 years, the SCO’s agenda has expanded well beyond security and cross-border cooperation. Its current framework covers trade and investment, transport, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, digital technologies, education, culture, tourism and other areas.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed developing the “SCO–2040” concept to create an interconnected space for the exchange of investment, technology and knowledge and to facilitate major infrastructure and industrial projects. He also proposed an SCO Industrial Cooperation Map and the preparation of a portfolio of projects in transport, energy, industrial cooperation and digital infrastructure.
For Central Asia, food, water and energy security remain key areas of cooperation. The summit also provided an opportunity for a series of bilateral meetings among participating leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with several leaders on the sidelines of the gathering.
Following the summit, Pakistan assumed the SCO chairmanship for 2026–2027. The organisation’s next summit is scheduled to take place in Islamabad in 2027.
The organisation was established in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined in 2017, Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024. The SCO now has 10 member states, two observer states and 15 dialogue partners.
Over the past 25 years, the SCO’s agenda has expanded well beyond security and cross-border cooperation. Its current framework covers trade and investment, transport, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, digital technologies, education, culture, tourism and other areas.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed developing the “SCO–2040” concept to create an interconnected space for the exchange of investment, technology and knowledge and to facilitate major infrastructure and industrial projects. He also proposed an SCO Industrial Cooperation Map and the preparation of a portfolio of projects in transport, energy, industrial cooperation and digital infrastructure.
For Central Asia, food, water and energy security remain key areas of cooperation. The summit also provided an opportunity for a series of bilateral meetings among participating leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with several leaders on the sidelines of the gathering.
Following the summit, Pakistan assumed the SCO chairmanship for 2026–2027. The organisation’s next summit is scheduled to take place in Islamabad in 2027.
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