The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a regional multilateral institution established in 2001. Its roots go back to the “Shanghai Five” (China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan), which focused on building security and trust. Later, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus joined, bringing the total membership to 10 states.

 

Key areas of SCO activity:

 

• Security: combating terrorism, extremism, and transnational crime. The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), based in Tashkent, coordinates this work.
• Economy and infrastructure: development of transport corridors, energy projects, trade links, and investment cooperation.
• Science and cultural exchange: programs on digital transformation, green energy, education, and technology sharing.

 

 

In 2025, the SCO Summit is held in Tianjin, China, with its agenda focused on three priorities: security, economic connectivity, and digitalization.

 

Turkmenistan is not a member of the SCO, as it follows its policy of permanent neutrality. Nevertheless, the country regularly takes part in the organization’s summits as an honorary guest, by invitation of the President of China and other leaders. For Ashgabat, this is an opportunity to advance energy and transport projects, strengthen dialogue on regional security, and deepen cooperation with neighboring states.

 

Thus, Turkmenistan’s participation in SCO events allows the country to integrate its initiatives into the broader Eurasian context while preserving its independent and neutral status.