SCO condemns sanctions and attacks targeting Iran at Bishkek summit

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation delivered a sharp rebuke of international sanctions and military actions directed at Iran during its latest gathering in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, reflecting the bloc's increasingly assertive stance on global affairs.

The SCO, which was established in 1996 as a regional security and economic partnership, represents approximately 43 percent of the world's population and accounts for roughly 23 percent of global gross domestic product. The organization has expanded significantly since its founding, now encompassing multiple member states across South and Southeast Asia as well as Eurasia.

The summit's focus on Iran underscores the organisation's broader challenge to Western-led policies and sanctions regimes in its geographical sphere of influence. The bloc has increasingly coordinated positions on issues affecting member states and regional partners, positioning itself as a platform for states seeking alternatives to Western-dominated international forums.

The Bishkek summit represents the SCO's continued evolution as a multilateral institution dealing with security concerns, economic cooperation, and geopolitical positioning in an increasingly multipolar international environment.