IRIA News

Kazakhstan hosted the 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Astana on July 3-4. The event has brought together leaders from member states to discuss pressing issues related to political, economic, and cultural cooperation.

The summit is particularly significant this year due to the current global geopolitical climate and the involvement of high-profile leaders. The summit sees the participation of heads of state from several member countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending, underscoring Moscow’s commitment to the organization’s goals amidst its ongoing geopolitical tensions. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping is also present in Kazakhstan to participate in the event.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov are also among the attendees of the summit. Additionally, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev were also present in the event. 

India’s representation, however, is marked by the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is representing the country at the summit. This change in attendance was a significant adjustment for the Indian delegation.

🛬 Russia’s President Vladimir Putin arrives in Astana to take part in the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (#SCO) Heads of State Council.

📍 July 3, 2024

🇷🇺🇰🇿 #RussiaKazakhstan pic.twitter.com/oHkzKis6b0

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) July 3, 2024

“The organization has firmly established itself as one of the key pillars of a fair, multipolar world order,” President Putin said in his opening remarks. “Our cooperation is not aimed against anyone, we are not creating any blocs or alliances, we are just acting in the interests of our peoples,” Putin added.

In his opening remarks, President XI said that the regional powers must “uphold the original aspiration of friendship for generations” in response to an “ever-changing international situation”.

Calling Putin an “old friend”, Xi said that the progress the two countries had made in putting in place “plans and arrangements for the next development of bilateral relations”.

Ahead of the main event, Chinese President Xi and Russian President Putin separately met with Turkish President Erdogan, the only leader from a NATO member state participating in the summit. The two leaders also met with the Pakistani Prime Minister, and the presidents of Azerbaijan and Mongolia, in separate bilateral meetings.

Agendas and discussions

Host of the summit and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym Jomart Tokayev highlighted the importance of the SCO in fostering economic growth and regional stability. He stated, “With its significant political influence, substantial economic opportunities, and vast human resources, the SCO is capable of making a significant contribution to achieving sustainable development goals and addressing the current challenges of humanity”​.

Kazakhstan’s chairmanship has been praised for its effectiveness, particularly amid the recent global and regional crises, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and various terrorist attacks. The efforts to prepare for the Astana Summit have been extensive, aiming to ensure comprehensive discussions and meaningful outcomes​​.

The agenda for this year’s summit includes discussions on enhancing political cooperation and addressing security concerns among member states. Key documents such as the draft Astana Declaration and the SCO Initiative on World Unity for a Just Peace and Harmony are up for consideration. These documents aim to strengthen the collaborative efforts of member states in tackling regional and global challenges​.

Environmental issues are also a focal point, with Kazakhstan highlighting its initiatives during its chairmanship. Since assuming the chairmanship in 2023, Kazakhstan has hosted over 180 events under the SCO, focusing on economic, cultural, and environmental topics​.

Belarus is poised to become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at this annual summit, following its application in September 2022. This inclusion will expand the SCO membership to ten nations. The SCO has seen significant growth over the last decade; originally consisting of six countries since its formation, it admitted India and Pakistan in 2017, and Iran in 2023.

The SCO, established in 2001 from the earlier Shanghai Five (China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan), aims to strengthen confidence and good-neighborly relations, promote cooperation, and ensure regional peace, security, and stability. Unlike NATO, the SCO’s activities extend beyond security, encompassing broader regional cooperation. However, India’s alignment with Western nations and its historical conflict with Pakistan raises questions about its role within the SCO.

The organization’s strategic importance continues to grow as it includes countries from a single continent, which contrasts with other international alliances. Many SCO members also participate in various other regional organizations, further highlighting the interconnected nature of Eurasian geopolitical dynamics.