Belarus joins Shanghai Cooperation Organization led by Russia, China

Belarus joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on July 4, Russian state-owned news agency TASS reported, citing Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

“The admission of the Republic of Belarus to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a full-fledged member is now effective,” Tokayev said after documents to admit the country as the organization’s 10th member had been signed.

The SCO is an intergovernmental organization established by China and Russia in 2001 in Shanghai. It focuses on Eurasian political, economic, security, and defense issues.

Apart from Belarus, the organization includes China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.