Historic gathering: Astana hosts Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit VIDEO

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit is currently underway at the Independence Palace in Astana, Caliber.Az reports citing Kazakh media.

The event has drawn heads of state and government from India, Iran, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Qatar, UAE, Türkiye, and Turkmenistan.

Kazakhstan is chairing the SCO summit today at the Astana Independence Palace. The summit also includes participation from the UN Secretary-General and leaders of international organizations such as the CIS, ECO, CICA, CSTO, EEC, and PSOE.

During the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting, the Astana Declaration is expected to be adopted along with about 20 decisions and three statements, including initiatives "World Unity for Just Peace, Harmony, and Development" and "Improving the SCO."

The Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information's press service highlighted the historic decision to finalize the admission procedure of the Republic of Belarus to the SCO and grant it full membership status.

Additionally, an expanded format meeting titled "SCO Plus" will take place in the afternoon, focusing on "World Unity for Just Peace, Harmony, and Development."