KABUL: Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan, has said that efforts to expand cooperation between Afghanistan and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) remain stalled due to the absence of consensus among the organization’s member states.
According to Kabulov, decisions within the SCO are made by unanimous consensus, meaning that opposition from even a single member state can prevent the adoption or advancement of any new initiative. He said this has delayed the start of broader official engagement with Afghanistan.
Several Russian media outlets, citing informed sources, have reported that Pakistan is likely among the countries opposing the move, although no official confirmation has been provided.
Authorities in Kabul have repeatedly called for Afghanistan to become a full member of the SCO, describing membership as an important step toward strengthening regional cooperation and reducing the country’s political isolation.
However, the organization’s consensus-based decision-making process, coupled with differences among some member states, has left the future of Afghanistan’s membership bid uncertain.