SCO to Unify Dialogue Partner and Observer Statuses, Lavrov Announces
Quick Look
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) plans to merge its current dialogue partners and observers into a single "SCO partner" category, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced in Cholpon-Ata.
- This move, affecting 17 countries, is part of preparations for the upcoming SCO summit in Bishkek this fall.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established in 2001 and currently includes ten member states, 15 dialogue partners, and two observers. This announcement is part of preparations for the upcoming SCO summit in Bishkek.
CHOLPON-ATA, July 24. /TASS/. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) plans to unify the categories of dialogue partners and observers into a single SCO partner status, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
"We have worked productively. This is part of the preparations for the SCO summit, which will take place this fall in Bishkek. Draft documents for leaders include the creation of a universal center for addressing new challenges and threats, as well as a center for combating drug crimes. We will also announce that current dialogue partners and observers will be merged into a single SCO partner category," Lavrov told reporters.
He pointed out that the SCO currently consists of ten members, 15 dialogue partners, and two observers. "These 17 countries will be reclassified as partners, I hope they will not object to that," the minister added.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is an international organization established in 2001. Its members are Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Its dialogue partners include Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bahrain, Egypt, Cambodia, Qatar, Kuwait, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Laos, and Sri Lanka. Observers are Afghanistan and Mongolia.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The SCO will formally unify dialogue partners and observers into a single 'SCO partner' category.
Very likely · Within months
The SCO summit will take place this fall in Bishkek.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What are the specific benefits of the new 'SCO partner' category?
- Will any of the 17 countries object to the reclassification?
- What are the details of the universal center for challenges and drug crimes?
