On the second day of his visit to Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate in the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

According to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, the opening of the summit will deviate from the standard scheme. At first, results of Belarus’ effort to join the organization will be assessed, and the country is expected to be formally granted full-fledged membership.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is expected to participate in the meeting from the very start.

Minsk filed a bid to join the SCO in 2022, but started to participate in the organization’s work as early as in 2009.

Agenda of the meeting

Participants of the event will recap the organization’s work in 2023-2024. They will also consider further strengthening of the organization, and promotion of cooperation in the areas of politics, security, economy and humanitarian ties. Besides, the heads of state will exchange views on pressing issues on the international and regional agenda.

During the Council meeting, reports will be heard from the heads of the SCO standing bodies: the organization’s secretary general, Zhang Ming, and the director of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure Ruslan Mirzayev.

Twenty-four documents are to be adopted at the SCO summit.