Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) | Members, History, | Future Expansion
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO): Members, History, and Future Expansion Introduction: What is the SCO? The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is one of the world’s largest regional organizations, both in terms of geography and population. It was founded in 2001 in Shanghai, China , with the aim of strengthening regional security, economic cooperation, and political trust among its members. Originally created to address border security, counter-terrorism, and regional stability , the SCO has now evolved into a platform for trade, cultural exchange, and strategic partnership across Eurasia. Current Member Countries of SCO As of today, the SCO has nine full member states , covering almost three-fifths of Eurasia and representing over 40% of the world’s population . 1. China One of the founding members, China plays a leading role in the SCO. It focuses on regional trade, connectivity, and promoting its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 2. Russia Russia is anot...