Table of Contents
SCO, BRICS, G7 and G20
Introduction
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), BRICS, G7 and G20 are important groupings in contemporary international relations. They differ substantially in membership, institutional structure, geographical scope and purpose.
The SCO is a Eurasian regional organization with a strong emphasis on security, political cooperation and economic interaction. BRICS is a grouping associated with emerging and developing economies and cooperation across several policy areas. The G7 is an informal grouping of advanced industrial economies and the European Union. The G20 is a broader forum for international economic cooperation that brings together major advanced and emerging economies.
These groupings are important for understanding multipolarity, global governance, economic diplomacy, strategic coordination and the changing distribution of global power.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
A Eurasian international organization focused on political, security, economic and humanitarian cooperation.
The SCO emerged from the earlier Shanghai Five process and was formally established in 2001.
The organization describes cooperation in areas including politics, security, economy, culture and humanitarian affairs. Its institutional framework includes the Council of Heads of State, Council of Heads of Government, Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Secretariat and other bodies. (eng.sectsco.org)
SCO Membership
As of 2026, the SCO has nine full members:
- China
- India
- Iran
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Pakistan
- Russia
- Tajikistan
- Uzbekistan
The organization also has observer states and dialogue partners. (eng.sectsco.org)
SCO Security Cooperation
SCO security cooperation includes areas such as:
- terrorism
- separatism
- extremism
- transnational crime
- border security
- information security
The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is an important SCO mechanism for security cooperation.
SCO Economic Cooperation
SCO cooperation also extends to:
- trade
- investment
- transport
- energy
- finance
- agriculture
- technology
The organization therefore combines regional-security cooperation with broader economic and development objectives.
SCO Secretariat
The SCO Secretariat is the organization’s permanent executive body. It coordinates organizational activities, provides information and analytical support and facilitates interaction with observer states, dialogue partners and international organizations. (eng.sectsco.org)
BRICS
BRICS is a grouping of major emerging and developing economies that cooperate on issues including economic governance, development, finance, trade and international affairs.
The grouping originated with Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining later. Its membership has subsequently expanded.
BRICS is particularly relevant to discussions of:
- Global South cooperation
- reform of international institutions
- development finance
- multipolarity
- economic cooperation
- alternative mechanisms of international coordination
BRICS and the Global South
Global South Cooperation refers to cooperation among developing and emerging countries seeking greater influence in international economic and political institutions.
BRICS is frequently discussed in this context because its members include major economies from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
New Development Bank
The New Development Bank (NDB) was established by BRICS members to finance infrastructure and sustainable-development projects.
It represents an example of institutional cooperation associated with BRICS.
Contingent Reserve Arrangement
The BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) is a financial mechanism intended to provide support in situations involving balance-of-payments and short-term liquidity pressures.
It is conceptually related to the broader objective of strengthening financial cooperation among participating economies.
G7
The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal grouping of seven advanced economies:
- Canada
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- United Kingdom
- United States
The European Union also participates institutionally in G7 activities.
The G7 holds annual leaders’ meetings and discusses global economic and geopolitical issues. (g7.canada.ca)
G7 Presidency
The G7 Presidency rotates annually among member countries.
The presidency helps establish the agenda, organizes meetings and coordinates the summit process.
G7 Outreach
The G7 regularly invites non-member states and international organizations to particular meetings.
This creates an outreach diplomacy mechanism through which the G7 can engage a broader group of countries.
G20
The Group of Twenty (G20) is a major forum for international economic cooperation.
Its membership consists of 19 countries plus the European Union and African Union. The African Union became a permanent member in 2023. (g20.org)
G20 Economic Role
The G20 addresses issues including:
- global economic growth
- international financial stability
- trade
- investment
- development
- taxation
- energy
- climate-related economic issues
- financial regulation
It became particularly important after the global financial crisis of 2008.
G20 and Global Governance
The G20 provides a forum where advanced and emerging economies interact.
Its broader membership distinguishes it from the G7 and makes it important in debates about the representation of the Global South in global economic governance.
Informal Groupings
The G7, G20 and BRICS differ from treaty-based international organizations such as the United Nations.
They generally operate through:
- summits
- ministerial meetings
- working groups
- declarations
- coordination
- political commitments
Their decisions generally do not operate like binding legislation enacted by a supranational authority.
Multipolarity
Multipolarity refers to an international system in which power is distributed among several significant centres.
SCO, BRICS and G20 discussions are often connected with debates about the increasing diversification of international power.
Global Economic Governance
Global Economic Governance refers to the institutions, rules and forums through which states coordinate international economic affairs.
Important institutions and groupings include:
- IMF
- World Bank
- WTO
- G7
- G20
- regional development banks
- BRICS-related institutions
Key Distinctions
| Grouping | Principal Character |
|---|---|
| SCO | Eurasian regional organization |
| BRICS | Emerging and developing economy cooperation grouping |
| G7 | Informal grouping of advanced economies plus EU participation |
| G20 | Broad forum for international economic cooperation |
| NDB | Development-finance institution associated with BRICS |
| G20 | Broader representation of advanced and emerging economies |
| Multipolarity | Distribution of power among several major centres |
Key Terms at a Glance
SCO, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS, G7, G20, Global South, New Development Bank, Contingent Reserve Arrangement, G7 Presidency, G20 Presidency, Economic Governance, Global Economic Governance, Multipolarity, Emerging Economies, Developing Economies, Outreach Diplomacy, International Financial Cooperation, Regional Cooperation
Related Glossaries
- Regional Organizations and Strategic Groupings
- Multilateralism and Global Governance
- International Political Economy: Core Concepts
- Global Finance and Monetary Relations
- IMF, World Bank and Global Financial Institutions
- Global South and Emerging Powers
- Geopolitics: Core Concepts
- Rise of Multipolarity and Global South
Conclusion
The SCO, BRICS, G7 and G20 represent different forms of international cooperation. Understanding their membership, institutional character, geographical scope and policy focus helps explain the contemporary architecture of global governance and the interaction between established powers, emerging powers and the Global South.