Belarus becomes SCO member. A. Lukashenko taking part in Astana summit

Aleksandr Lukashenko is on a working visit to Kazakhstan. The President of Belarus arrived the day before to participate in the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which today approved the decision on Belarus' membership in this international organization. The Belarusian leader's speech at the summit touches upon the most significant areas of the SCO work and the contribution that Belarus is ready to make in achieving shared goals. The participants of the meeting of the Council of Heads of State will discuss topical international and regional issues in the SCO region. In general, the agenda includes more than two dozen decisions and statements by the heads of state, including those related to the initiative "On International Unity for Just World and Harmony", the draft SCO development strategy through 2035, improvement of the organization's work, cooperation in economic development, investment, finance and energy, as well as in countering terrorism and extremism, combating drug trafficking. On the same day, Astana will host a meeting in the SCO+ format with the participation of the leaders of the observer states, guests of honor and heads of international organizations with the participation of the President of Belarus.