Shanghai summit to convener with leaders of China and Russia in Astana

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, attended by leaders from 15 countries, including China and Russia, is scheduled for July 3rd and 4th in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

Annual attendees include leaders from Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Qatar, UAE, Turkey, and Turkmenistan.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also be a special guest at the summit, where Belarus is expected to secure permanent membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization during the two-day event.

The Taliban government has not been invited to this summit; however, discussions and negotiations regarding Afghanistan will be a focal point of the meeting.

IRNA reported that the summit will focus on Afghanistan’s situation, security cooperation, and Central Asian countries.

Afghanistan gained observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in 2012, but due to the lack of formal recognition of the Taliban regime, Afghanistan has not been invited to the organization’s meetings for three consecutive years.

The summit will discuss regional security issues, economic cooperation, and joint efforts to tackle terrorism and extremism.

Key topics on the agenda include enhancing trade and economic cooperation among member states and exploring new avenues for regional development.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit serves as a crucial platform for fostering regional stability and cooperation, addressing shared challenges, and promoting dialogue among member states, while Afghanistan’s absence underscores ongoing diplomatic complexities in the region.

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