How important is SCO on the world stage?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will hold an annual summit on Wednesday (July 3) in Kazakhstan.The organization members include Russia, China, Iran and several Central Asian countries.

Because the organization's member states include many opponents of Western countries, the West has doubts about it.But how important is it on the world stage?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was established in 2001. It is composed of the former Soviet Union in China, Russia, and four Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

It originated from the boundary agreement signed by Russia, China, and Central Asian countries in 1996, thereby established the "Shanghai Five Kingdoms" mechanism.

Under the suggestion of China, this mechanism has expanded into an organization that promotes cooperation in the fields of nation's good -neighborly and friendly relations and promoting trade and security.

Nigel Gould-Davies of the Institute of International Strategy, said: "At that time, people were worried about the consequences of the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the possible chaos."

"This is a measure to ensure regional order in the post -Soviet era."

India and Pakistan joined the SCO in 2017, and Iran joined in 2023.

SCO member states account for 40%of the world's population.They create 20%of the world's GDP (GDP) and have 20%of the world's oil reserves.

Afghanistan and Mongolian observer states, as well as "dialogue partners" such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia, will also attend the summit held in Kazakhstan.

What is the work of the SCO?

One of the main purpose established by the SCO is to combat the "three forces" it calls, namely terrorism, divisionism, and extremism.

also hopes to actively in Central Asia, such as "Islamic State Horosen Province" (IS-K) and "Hizb UT-Tahrir".

The SCO has established a "regional counter -terrorism agency" to combat these threats by sharing intelligence and coordinated counter -terrorism operations.

However, Natasha Kuhrt, the King's College London War Research Department, said "most counter -terrorism work was completed between the country."

Dr. Kurite said that China also regards the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a useful tool for expanding its trade in Central Asia.

China has obtained oil and gas supply from Kazakhstan and other countries.Central Asia is also an important part of the trade route (that is, the “Belt and Road” initiative) that China is building to the West.

"China's exports have always rely on Russia's railways, and now it wants to build a new railway network across Central Asia and directly to the Iranian seaside." Dr. Kurite said.

Dr. Kult said that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is also symbolic.

"China takes the SCO as a platform to promote its own ideas, that is, using the new order of" civilized dialogue "based on it to replace the Western -led world order," she said.

However, Dr. Gurd Davis said that although the scale of the SCO and the strength of member states are very large, it is a relatively loose organization and has not achieved any major achievements.

"SCO is known as a brand new, non -Western organization", but its actual influence is less than the sum of each part, he said."Lack of sufficient trust between its member states, so it is impossible to carry out cooperation, share capabilities, and achieve great achievements."

Dr. Gurd-Davis said that Western powers are not worried about Shanghai Cooperation Organization to become a force in world politics.However, he added: "They are worried about the relationship between the members of the SCO, such as Russia and China, Russia and Iran."

What is the impact of the expansion of the SCO?

India, Pakistan and Iran have joined the SCO.This threatens the unity of the organization, because there are long -term boundary disputes between India and Pakistan and India.

"These hostility has become the main irritating factor at the summit." Dr. Poor said."They also weakened the original intention of the SCO and made Central Asian countries frustrated, because they thought that their speech in the SCO was getting smaller and smaller."

"SCO shows its importance by increasing the number of member states instead of deepening the cooperation between member states," said Dr. Gurd-Davis.

Where is this summit?

The two -day summit will be held at Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.It is expected that Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with senior Chinese leaders there.

It is expected that Belarus will be accepted as a member of the SCO at this summit.

Dr. Kurite said that this is to a certain extent at the request of Russia and expresses recognition of the Belarusian support in the Ukrainian war.On the other hand, China hopes to strengthen its economic connection with Belarus.

However, the recent terrorist attacks in Russia may also be the focus of discussion.

In March 2024, the gunman attacked the Fan Red Flower City Hall Concert Hall in the suburbs of Moscow, causing 145 people to die and more than 500 people injured.

"Islamic State Horoshan Province" claims to be responsible for the matter, and the Russian authorities say that the suspect attacked the suspect from Tajikistan.

"Because Russia focuses on the Ukrainian war, there is a negligence on terrorism issues," said Dr. Gurd-Davis.

"Now, Russia must consider how terrorists enter the heart of Russia from Tajikistan. This is a typical problem that the SCO needs to solve."