Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO)

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a regional intergovernmental organization founded in 2001 by six member states: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The organization was created to promote regional security, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange among its member states and has since expanded its scope to include other areas of collaboration, such as political, military, and energy issues.

The SCO has become an essential platform for its member states to cooperate on various issues, such as counterterrorism, regional security, economic development, and cultural exchange. In addition to the six member states, the SCO has four observer states (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia) and six dialogue partners (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey). The SCO is often seen as a counterbalance to Western-led international organizations such as NATO, and it is considered an essential player in shaping the geopolitical landscape of Eurasia.