Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in 2027. Preparations will begin in Islamabad. The next SCO Summit (2026) is scheduled to be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
- Type: Permanent intergovernmental regional organisation.
- Focus Areas: Political, economic, and security cooperation in Eurasia.
- Core Philosophy: Promotes the “Shanghai Spirit” — mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, and peaceful coexistence.
Establishment & Headquarters
- Founded: June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, China.
- Charter Signed: 2002 in St. Petersburg, effective 19 September 2003.
- Headquarters: Beijing, China.
- Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Headquarters in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Origin & Evolution
- Evolved from Shanghai Five Mechanism (1996) — China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan — aimed at resolving border issues and fostering regional trust.
- Expanded into a multi-sectoral organisation with a focus on security, counter-terrorism, economic connectivity, and diplomacy.
Membership
| Category | Countries |
| Full Members (10) | China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran (2023), Belarus (2024) |
| Observer States (2) | Afghanistan, Mongolia |
| SCO Partners (17) | Laos (latest, 2025), plus others as merged from Observer/Dialogue partners |
- India & Pakistan: Joined in 2017 after signing obligations in Tashkent (2016).
- Official Languages: Russian and Chinese.
Annual Rotation
- Chairmanship: Rotates annually alphabetically in Russian.
- Host of Summit: Country holding the Chairmanship hosts the Council of Heads of State (CHS) Summit.
Key Functions & Activities
Regional Security
- Counter-terrorism operations
- Intelligence sharing
- RATS coordination
Economic Cooperation
- Trade, investment, energy security
- Connectivity initiatives
- SCO Business Council and SCO Development Bank proposals
Cultural & Educational Ties
- Youth exchange programs
- Sports, cultural festivals
- Scholarships
Multilateral Diplomacy
- Platform for coordinating on Afghanistan, climate action, and Eurasian stability
Annual Summits
- Council of Heads of State (CHS): Supreme decision-making body
- Council of Heads of Government (CHG): Approves budgets and priorities
SCO Organisational Structure
| Body | Functions |
| Council of Heads of State (CHS) | Supreme decision-making body; sets strategic direction; meets annually |
| Council of Heads of Government (CHG) | PM-level council; discusses multilateral cooperation; approves budget and policies |
| Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs | Coordinates SCO foreign policy |
| Council of National Coordinators | Prepares for CHS, CHG, and foreign minister meetings; manages current activities |
| Secretariat | Administrative arm; implements decisions; headquartered in Beijing; headed by Secretary-General |
| Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) | Coordinates anti-terrorism, separatism, and extremism efforts; headquartered in Tashkent |
| SCO Business Council | Promotes economic cooperation and investment among member countries |
| SCO Interbank Consortium | Network of major banks to facilitate financial cooperation |
Key Facts
- SCO Headquarters: Beijing, China
- RATS Headquarters: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Established: June 15, 2001, Shanghai, China
- India & Pakistan Membership: 2017
- Latest Members: Iran (2023), Belarus (2024)
- Observer States: Afghanistan, Mongolia
- Official Languages: Russian, Chinese
Significance
- Strengthens Eurasian regional cooperation in politics, security, and trade.
- Provides a platform for multilateral diplomacy and coordinated action on terrorism, security, and development.
- Hosting the 2027 summit will enhance Pakistan’s diplomatic and strategic visibility in the SCO region.
- Expanding membership shows SCO’s geopolitical influence, now covering West Asia and Central Asia alongside South and East Asia.