The CIS Heads of State Council decided to grant the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Observer status at the Commonwealth of Independent States during the regular meeting on October 10, 2025, in Dushanbe.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has shown particular interest in cooperation in the areas outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding between the SCO Secretariat and the CIS Executive Committee, signed on April 12, 2005, which laid a solid foundation for further joint practical work. These areas include countering terrorism, separatism, extremism, illegal drug and arms trafficking, organized and transnational crime. The SCO also strives to deepen cooperation in trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural spheres.
Granting the SCO Observer status at the CIS underscores the closeness of the two organizations’ goals and principles, as well as the similarity of their positions on key issues of the international agenda. Both organizations are committed to the equal and full observance of the universally recognized principles and norms of international law.
Upon invitation by the presiding party, the Observer will be able to participate and speak at meetings of the supreme and sectoral bodies of the Commonwealth, without, however, taking part in the discussion and adoption of decisions by these bodies. The status also implies enhanced interaction between the permanent executive structures of both organizations.
Overall, this will allow for an even more active development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the SCO and the CIS.
The CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev has been instructed to take the necessary measures to implement the Decision of the CIS Heads of State Council of the Commonwealth on granting Observer status to the SCO.