The Shanghai Cooperation Organization celebrates its 25th anniversary

The organization was founded in 2001 and has since become the largest regional association, spanning from East Asia to the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Belarus joined the Shanghai family in July 2024. Currently, the SCO consists of 10 member states with a combined territory of over 36 mln sq. km. and a population of approximately 3.5 billion people. Two countries, Afghanistan and Mongolia, currently hold the status of observer states. Additionally, 17 countries are recognized as dialogue partners of the SCO. The share of the association in global GDP is more than 30%, and in international trade, it is about 20%.