The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was founded on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It focuses on security (its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure sits in Tashkent), trade and connectivity. India and Pakistan joined later as full members, then Iran (2023) and Belarus (2024), making ten member states.
Key facts
- Founded 15 June 2001 in Shanghai by six states; ten members today after Belarus joined in 2024. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure's executive committee is in Tashkent; official languages Russian and Chinese.
- Two councils meet yearly: Heads of State (the summit) and Heads of Government.
Latest
The 2026 summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (1 September 2026) marked the SCO's 25th anniversary and adopted the Bishkek Declaration; the 25th Council of Heads of Government met in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 19-20 October 2026, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh representing India.
Why exams ask about it
Setters ask the Secretariat city, India's joining year, the founding members and the latest summit city.