Varanasi to be first ‘Cultural and Tourism Capital’ of SCO

Tags: National News

Varanasi, the holy city that showcases India's culture and traditions for centuries, will be declared as the first "Cultural and Tourism Capital" of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Important facts

• Varanasi will become the "Cultural and Tourism Capital" of the SCO for 2022-23 under the eight-member organization's new initiative to promote people-to-people contact and tourism among member states.

• Each year the city of cultural heritage of a member country that takes over the presidency of the organization will be given this title to highlight its prominence.

• The new initiative will come into force after the Samarkand summit after which India will assume the presidency and host the next Heads of State Summit.

What is Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)?

• It is a permanent intergovernmental international organization.

• It was founded in 2001.

• The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and came into force in 2003.

• It is a Eurasian political, economic and military organization.

• Its aim is to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.

• China, Russia and four Central Asian states – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan – were founding members of the SCO.

• Official Languages - Russian and Chinese

• Chairmanship - On the basis of rotation for a year by Member States