The 24th summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on July 3-4, 2024.  The SCO, established in 2001, is an intergovernmental organization with nine member states, including Kazakhstan, China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Iran. It represents 40% of the global population and contributes over $23 trillion to the world economy, giving it a significant role in regional and global affairs.