In recent years, Uzbekistan has been pursuing an increasingly active foreign policy not only in its region, but elsewhere in the world. The authority of Tashkent has also grown in a number of international organizations and within the framework of international integration processes.
Uzbekistan cooperates with multilateral institutions both at the regional and global levels. In this context, Uzbekistan’s activities within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are of particular importance. This year, Uzbekistan is chairing this organization and intends to play an increasingly decisive role in it.
Today, the SCO is an organization spanning three continents — Asia, Europe and Africa. The total territory of the SCO member countries exceeds 34 million square kilometers, which is more than 60% that of Eurasia. About half of the world’s population — 3 billion people — live in the SCO member countries. The organization unites eight permanent members, including China, Russia, India and Pakistan, which have the status of nuclear powers, along with four observer states and nine dialogue partners.