Iran has been granted fully-fledged membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, says the New Delhi declaration adopted following the SCO summit of heads of states.
"Member states stressed the historical significance of the admission of Iran to the SCO as a full member state," the declaration read.
As Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani noted, Iran's joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a full-fledged member would be in the interests of all parties involved.
Thus, Iran became the ninth member of the interstate association. In September 2022, a memorandum on Iran's commitments to join the alliance was signed at the SCO summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The SCO was founded on June 15, 2001, in Сhinese city of Shanghai.
At first, the organization consisted of six countries - Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; in 2017 they were joined by India and Pakistan.
What Else Says Declaration?
In New Delhi declaration, SCO members agreed on implementation of a roadmap to increase the use of national currencies in mutual settlements, and expressed the view that the World Trade Organization needs to be reformed as soon as possible.
The declaration added that the states will oppose protectionist actions and trade restrictions that threaten the global economy and the multilateral trading system, and would promote the development of an open world economy, ensure fair market access.
In the field of security, the declaration affirms support for strengthening the global nuclear nonproliferation regime, advocates keeping outer space free of nuclear weapons
The group also calls for full compliance with the convention prohibiting the development, production and stockpiling of biological and chemical weapon.
The SCO member states confirmed that the organization is not directed against other countries and international organizations.
The member states also reaffirmed their commitment to building a more democratic, just and multipolar world order, the document said.
The chairmanship of the SCO for the coming period passes to Kazakhstan that will host a meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in 2024, according to the New Delhi declaration.