Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

 💠Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)💠

➨The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent international intergovernmental organization which is headquartered in Beijing, China.

➨It is a Eurasian political, economic and security organisation aiming to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.

➨Its creation was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai, China by the leaders of  China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. 

➨The SCO Charter which formally established the organization was signed in June 2002 and it came into force on September 19, 2003. 

➨The official language of the organization is Chinese and Russian.

➨It is known as the 'Alliance of the East' and is the largest regional organization in the world in terms of geographical coverage and population. The organization covers nearly half of the human population. 

➨The organization has two permanent members-- the SCO Secretariat (Beijing) and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) (Tashkent). 

➨The SCO is seen as a counter-balance to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

💠Aim of SCO

➨The organization aims at strengthening mutual trust and neighbourliness among the member nations. 

➨It also promotes effective cooperation in politics, trade & economy, research & technology and culture.

➨The SCO aims at enhancing ties in education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection, and so forth. 

➨It ensures and maintains peace, security and stability in the region.

➨The organization jointly efforts towards the establishment of a democratic, rational, and fair new international economic and political order.

💠Member Nations of SCO

There are 8 Member Nations of SCO. These are as follows:

➨China

➨Kazakhstan

➨Kyrgyzstan

➨Russia

➨Tajikistan

➨Uzbekistan

➨India

➨Pakistan

💠Observer Nations of SCO

There are four Observer Nations of SCO which are acceding to full membership. These are as follows:

➨Afghanistan  

➨Belarus

➨Iran

➨Mongolia

💠Dialogue Partners of SCO

The organization also has six Dialogue Partners. It was created in the year 2008. These are as follows:

➨Armenia

➨Azerbaijan

➨Cambodia

➨Nepal

➨Sri Lanka

➨Turkey

💠Structure of SCO

The structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is as follows:

➨Heads of State Council: It is the apex body of the organization which makes decisions on the internal functioning and interaction of the organization with other States & international organisations, and considers international issues. 

➨Heads of Government Council: It makes decisions on the issues related to the economic spheres of interaction within the organization. 

➨Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs: This body of the organization makes decisions on the day-to-day issues.

➨Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): It is formed to counter-terrorism, separatism and extremism.

➨SCO Secretariat: It is based in Beijing and provides informational, analytical & organisational support.