The 24th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, concluded with significant developments, including the official admission of Belarus as its 10th member and the signing of the Astana Declaration on unity. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping played central roles in the summit, emphasizing the importance of a multipolar world order and increased security cooperation among member states.A key outcome of the summit was the adoption of the Astana Declaration, which Putin described as reflecting the SCO’s approaches to key global and regional issues. The declaration highlights the commitment of SCO countries to forming a fair multipolar world order based on the central role of the UN, international law, and the desire for mutually beneficial partnerships among sovereign states.Putin announced plans to transform the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure into a universal center capable of responding to various security threats. He also mentioned the establishment of an anti-drug center in Dushanbe, underlining the organization’s focus on combating separatism and extremism.The summit addressed several regional issues, including the situation in Ukraine and Afghanistan. Putin reiterated Russia’s willingness to resolve the Ukraine crisis through political and diplomatic means, while criticizing the US and its allies for their role in the conflict. The restart of the Afghanistan-SCO Contact Group was also proposed to contribute to the resolution of the situation in Afghanistan.The expansion of the SCO, now comprising ten member states, has raised questions about the organization’s future direction and effectiveness. Some observers have suggested that the rapid expansion might dilute the SCO’s mission and geographical focus. However, both Putin and Xi emphasized the importance of solidarity among SCO members in the face of global challenges, including what they perceive as external interference and polarization.
Key points
- Belarus officially joined the SCO as its 10th member.
- The Astana Declaration was signed, emphasizing a multipolar world order and increased security cooperation.
- Putin announced plans to transform the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure into a universal security center.
- The summit addressed regional issues, including the situations in Ukraine and Afghanistan.
Contradictions👾While Putin emphasized Russia’s willingness for diplomatic solutions in Ukraine, his statements were described as ‘cynical’ by some sources, highlighting differing interpretations of Russia’s stance.
