Belarus appears poised for full participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as negotiations move toward approval at the Astana summit. Statements from senior SCO officials indicate that once a decision is formalized, Belarus would gain the right to attend all meetings and to engage in the organization’s mechanisms as a full member. This marks a significant step in the country’s integration with a regional bloc that blends security cooperation with economic collaboration.
The trajectory suggests that Belarus has met the specified conditions set out in the 2023 memorandum governing its accession process. With the February 2024 completion of those prerequisites, the path toward active involvement within SCO structures becomes clearer, underscoring a broader trend of expanding participation among regional partners seeking closer alignment with collective security and development initiatives.
Ahead of the summit, officials highlighted the upcoming gathering in Astana, scheduled for early July, as a pivotal moment for decisions on the organization’s future composition and its ongoing regional outreach. The timing emphasizes the SCO’s ongoing evolution as more states express interest in joining a framework that covers political coordination, trade facilitation, and practical cooperation in various domains, from transport to counterterrorism.
Since its founding in Shanghai in 2001, the SCO has gradually broadened its membership beyond the original six founding members, reflecting a widening circle of regional influence. Over the years, new entrants have included Pakistan and India, while Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have remained core participants. Iran joined as a full member in 2023 after years of engagement as an observer, marking a notable expansion that brings together a broader swath of Eurasian economies and strategic interests. The gradual incorporation process has been shaped by political dynamics, regional security considerations, and the bloc’s aim to foster stability and economic growth across its member states and neighbors.
In related discussions about regional financial arrangements, there have been calls within the SCO and its broader circle of partners to rethink currency use in regional trade. Some voices have suggested moving away from reliance on a universal reserve currency toward a system that leverages national currencies for settlement, advocating greater monetary autonomy and resilience in the face of global financial fluctuations. Such conversations reflect a broader desire to reduce exposure to external monetary policy shifts while strengthening regional economic sovereignty and cooperation. The exact outcomes of these proposals remain the subject of debate among member states and observers alike, illustrating the SCO’s ongoing balancing act between rapid integration and the practicalities of national economic policy.
As the Astana summit approaches, analysts emphasize that the discussions will likely address how new members are integrated into the SCO’s decision-making processes, how existing mechanisms adapt to a larger bloc, and what indicators will define successful collaboration in security, energy, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges. The evolving agenda signals a bloc keen on sustaining inclusive growth while coordinating on shared challenges, from border management and disaster response to regional connectivity and investment projects. The outcome will help shape the SCO’s ability to project a unified stance on regional stability and development in the years ahead. [Citation attribution: SCO communications]