Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: List of SCO Summits Till 2024

This year’s SCO summit will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, from October 15 to 6, 2024. This is the 25th meeting of heads of member states.

The summit will focus on strengthening cooperation among member states in security, economy, culture and other fields.

Before discussing the 25th SCO Summit in detail, let us first understand what the SCO Summit is and why it is held.

The SCO Summit is an annual meeting for leaders of member states to discuss and coordinate important regional issues. These summits are crucial in strengthening ties between member states and promoting mutual understanding.

What is the SCO Summit?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a well-known intergovernmental organization established in Shanghai, China on June 15, 2001. The SCO was originally established by six countries: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. As of 2024, it has expanded to include 10 full member states.

goals and structure

The main objectives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are:

  • Strengthen mutual trust and cooperation among member states.
  • Promote cooperation in political, economic, cultural, security and other fields.
  • Work together to combat terrorism and extremism and ensure regional stability and security.

The SCO governance structure includes several key institutions:

  • Heads of State Council (HSC): The highest decision-making body that meets annually to resolve major issues.
  • Heads of Government Council (HGC): Focuses on economic cooperation and approves the organization’s budget.
  • Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure (RATS): Coordinates counter-terrorism efforts among member states.

List of SCO summits before 2024

The SCO holds annual summits where leaders discuss pressing regional and global issues. The most recent summit was the 24th SCO Summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan on July 4, 2024. The next summit is scheduled to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 15-16, 2024.

The following is the list of SCO summits held from 2001 to 2024:

Year

SCO summit name

venue

date

participating countries

Topics/Focus Areas

2024

The 25th SCO Summit

islamabad pakistan

October 15-16, 2024

India, Pakistan, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran

Regional security, economic cooperation, counter-terrorism

2024

The 24th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit

Astana, Kazakhstan

July 3-4, 2024

Same as above

security and economic cooperation

2023

SCO 23rd Summit

New Delhi, India

July 4, 2023

Same as above

Multilateral cooperation and regional issues

2022

The 22nd Meeting of the SCO Summit

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

September 15-16, 2022

Same as above

Economic development and regional connectivity

2021

21st Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit

Dushanbe, Tajikistan

September 17-18, 2021

Same as above

Afghanistan’s security challenges

2020

The 20th SCO Summit

Moscow, Russia

November 30 to December 1, 2020

Virtual Meetings Impacted by COVID-19

health security and economic recovery

2019

The 19th SCO Summit

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

June 13-14, 2019

Same as above

Regional stability and counter-terrorism

2018

The 18th SCO Summit

Qingdao, China

June 9-10, 2018

Same as above

trade cooperation and security

2017

The 17th SCO Summit

Astana, Kazakhstan

June 8-9, 2017

Same as above

Expanding the organization; security issues

2016

The 16th SCO Summit

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

June 23-24, 2016

Same as above

terrorism and extremism

2015

The 15th SCO Summit

Ufa, Russia

July 9-10, 2015

Same as above

economic cooperation and security

2014

The 14th SCO Summit

Dushanbe, Tajikistan

September 11-12, 2014

Same as above

Regional security and economic integration

2013

The 13th SCO Leaders’ Summit

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

September 13-14, 2013

Same as above

Counterterrorism and regional stability

2012

12th SCO Summit

Beijing, China

June 6-7, 2012

Same as above

security and economic issues

2011

The 11th SCO Summit

Astana, Kazakhstan

June 14-15, 2011

Same as above

Regional cooperation and development

2010

The 10th SCO Summit

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

June 10-11, 2010

Same as above

Security threats and economic cooperation

2009

The 9th SCO Summit

Yekaterinburg, Russia

June 15-16, 2009

Same as above

Regional security and economic development

2008

The 8th SCO Summit

Dushanbe, Tajikistan

August 28, 2008

Same as above

drug trafficking and terrorism

2007

The seventh SCO summit

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

August 16, 2007

Same as above

security and counterterrorism

2006

The 6th SCO Summit

Shanghai, China

June 15, 2006

Same as above

Energy security and economic cooperation

2005

The fifth SCO summit

Astana, Kazakhstan

July 5, 2005

Same as above

Economic cooperation and regional stability

2004

The fourth SCO summit

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

June 17, 2004

Same as above

counterterrorism strategy

2003

The third SCO summit

Moscow, Russia

May 29, 2003

Same as above

regional security issues

2002

SCO second summit

Saint Petersburg, Russia

June 7, 2002

Same as above

Security cooperation and counter-terrorism

2001

The first SCO summit

Shanghai, China

June 14, 2001

India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan

Establishment and basic goals

Source: Shanghai Cooperation Organization.org

Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit Member

As of 2024, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) currently has 10 full member states. These member states are:

  • China
  • India
  • Iran
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Pakistan
  • Russia
  • Tajikistan
  • Uzbekistan
  • Belarus (joined in July 2024)

In addition to these member states, the SCO also has two observer states, Afghanistan and Mongolia, and 14 dialogue partners including Sri Lanka, Türkiye and Egypt. The organization focuses on strengthening regional security, economic cooperation and combating terrorism among member states.

Main objectives and themes of the 25th SCO Summit in 2024

The 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit is scheduled to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, from October 15 to 16, 2024. The summit aims to address several pressing issues and will focus on the following key themes:

Main objectives of the 25th SCO Summit in 2024

  1. Countering Terrorism: A key agenda item will be addressing cross-border terrorism and strengthening security cooperation among member states. This includes moves to isolate countries that harbor terrorists and strengthen regional counter-terrorism structures (RATS).
  2. Economic Cooperation: The summit will emphasize economic cooperation, including trade and investment initiatives. The ‘Make in India’ initiative is expected to be seen as a potential driver of global economic growth, promoting partnerships, especially with countries in the global South.
  3. Climate change and environmental protection: Combating climate change through sustainable practices and climate-resilient infrastructure will be a major focus, in line with the SCO’s broader environmental protection and sustainable development goals.
  4. Strengthening multilateral dialogue: The theme of the summit is “Strengthening multilateral dialogue – striving to achieve sustainable peace and prosperity.” This reflects a commitment to promoting cooperation among member states amid heightened global tensions.
  5. Regional Stability and Security: Discussions will also focus on strengthening regional stability, resolving ongoing conflicts and promoting a multipolar world order. This includes reviewing the organization’s activities over the past two decades and developing strategies for future collaboration.

The Prime Ministers of China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the First Vice President of Iran and the Foreign Minister of India will attend the upcoming summit.

In addition, the Foreign Minister and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Turkmenistan will attend as special guests, and the Prime Minister of Mongolia will attend as an observer state.

The summit will bring together leaders of member states, including prominent figures such as Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, who will represent India at this important multilateral event. During the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz will also hold bilateral discussions with visiting delegation heads.

Also Read | SCO Pakistan Summit 2024: October Date, Schedule, Members and Agenda