On July 4 Iran officially became a member state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization at the 23rd summit, which was chaired by India.
Iran's official membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) marks a significant development in regional cooperation and highlights the expanding influence of the organisation. The flag of Iran was raised at the SCO Secretariat in a ceremony attended by high-ranking officials, symbolising Iran's integration into the SCO family.
The Secretary General of the SCO, Zhang Ming, expressed confidence that Iran's membership would contribute to enhancing mutual trust, solidarity, and regional security among member states. The expansion of cooperation in various sectors such as economy, trade, transportation, investment, tourism, and energy is expected to be facilitated by Iran's full participation.
The Shanghai Spirit, which promotes unity and cooperation, has served as a guiding principle for the SCO member states. Zhang Ming emphasised the importance of upholding this spirit and turning challenges into opportunities for the benefit of international and regional peace, security, development, and prosperity.
The Iranian Ambassador to China, Mohsen Bakhtiar, reiterated Iran's commitment to working with other member states in promoting regional peace and security. Iran aims to enhance economic integration with SCO countries, fostering collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology to contribute to sustainable growth in the region.
The decision to grant Iran full membership was announced during the 21st SCO leaders summit in September 2021, and Iran signed a memorandum of commitment during the previous SCO summit in 2022.
As a transcontinental political, economic, and security organisation, the SCO was originally established by China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan in 2001. With Iran's inclusion, the SCO expands its reach and potential, positioning itself as a key player in promoting regional cooperation and addressing shared challenges.
Iran's membership in the SCO opens up avenues for deeper engagement between Iran and other member states, fostering regional stability and creating opportunities for economic growth and development. The coming years will showcase how Iran's involvement in the SCO contributes to the organisation's goals and the evolving dynamics of regional cooperation in Eurasia.
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