Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet on Thursday for the second time in recent months as they head to Kazakhstan for a session of an international group established to counter Western alliances.
The last meeting between Putin and Xi took place in May during the Kremlin leader’s visit to Beijing, highlighting their strong partnership against the U.S.-led democratic order and their efforts to promote a more “multipolar” world.
They will both be attending a session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, Kazakhstan. Here’s a look at the summit:
Overview of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was founded in 2001 by China and Russia to address security issues in Central Asia and the broader region. Other member countries include Iran, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Observer states and dialogue partners include Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
Attendees at this year’s summit
In addition to Putin and Xi, other leaders attending the summit include Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, President Emomali Rakhmon of Tajikistan, and President Sadyr Zhaparov of Kyrgyzstan. President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus will also be present as his country transitions to full membership.
Iran will be represented by acting President Mohammad Mokhbar as the country selects a successor to President Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash in May. Other guests at the SCO summit include President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan.
U.N. Secretary-General AntĂłnio Guterres will also be in attendance, as he visits Central Asia to engage with regional leaders and promote inclusive dialogue.
Topics of Discussion
One of the key focuses of the summit will be countering terrorism, as recent attacks in Russia have raised concerns about security in the region. The SCO provides a platform for member countries to discuss security issues and collaborate on addressing common challenges.
While the SCO is not a formal security or economic alliance, it serves as a forum for non-Western countries to come together and discuss mutual interests. The organization’s expansion to include Belarus reflects Russia’s efforts to strengthen alliances with like-minded nations.
Potential Discussions on Ukraine
Although Ukraine and its Western allies are not attending the summit, discussions on the conflict may arise during sideline conversations among leaders. As tensions between Russia and the West persist, the summit provides an opportunity for key players to engage in dialogue on pressing issues.
Overall, the SCO summit in Astana is expected to showcase the strategic partnerships between member countries and facilitate discussions on regional security and cooperation.
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Contributions to this report were made by writers from various locations including London, Taipei, New Delhi, and Ankara.
