Belarus is poised to become the newest member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as leaders convene in Astana, Kazakhstan, for the annual summit on July 3-4. This expansion highlights the SCO’s evolving role in addressing global challenges and promoting regional development.
Since its inception in 2001, the SCO has grown from a regional security alliance to a comprehensive cooperative organization with nine member states, encompassing over 40 percent of the world’s population. With observers and dialogue partners included, the total number of participating nations reaches 26, reflecting the organization’s appeal across Asia and beyond.
The SCO’s foundational principles—mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity, and pursuit of common development, collectively known as the “Shanghai Spirit”—resonate with countries seeking collaboration over confrontation. This approach contrasts with zero-sum mentalities and offers a platform for nations to work together on shared concerns.
Belarus began its cooperation with the SCO in 2010 as an observer and is now expected to join as a full member. President Alexander Lukashenko has emphasized the significance of this step, stating, “Today the SCO is viewed as the future, a very influential pole in a multipolar global order… This is where our political, economic, and maybe military-political future lies.”
Belarus’s accession is anticipated to bolster the SCO’s capacity to promote economic growth, enhance regional security, and facilitate connectivity between Europe and Eurasia. The nation has expressed intentions to contribute to the development of the SCO’s information technology ecosystem, strengthen nuclear safety and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and advance projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
As the world faces complex challenges—from economic disparities to security threats—the SCO’s emphasis on cooperation and mutual respect offers an alternative path toward sustainable development and stability. The Astana summit is expected to further solidify the organization’s role in shaping a more interconnected and harmonious Eurasian region.
Reference(s):
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