Afghanistan has announced its readiness to resume active cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), expressing interest in once again participating in the body’s meetings and activities as an observer state.
According to Afghanistan’s ambassador to Russia, representatives from Kabul are expected to attend future SCO meetings. Gul Hassan Hassan, the ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Moscow, told Russia’s TASS news agency that Afghanistan, in line with its observer status, has the right to take part in SCO meetings.
He added that, following efforts by Russia and China, most SCO member states have concluded that resuming Afghanistan’s active participation in the organization is both possible and practical.
The ambassador also announced an increase in direct flights between Afghanistan and Russia, a move he said could help expand economic and trade relations between the two countries.
Earlier, Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan, stated that during a recent SCO meeting, most members agreed to maintain Afghanistan’s observer membership in the organization.
Afghanistan joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as an observer in 2005. However, following the political changes of August 2021, the country has been excluded from participation in SCO meetings for the past four years.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was established in 2001. Its main members include Russia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Uzbekistan. Belarus joined the organization in July 2024. Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status, while several countries including Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are dialogue partners of the organization.