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The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established in Shanghai in 2001. In terms of geographic scope and population, the SCO is the world's largest regional organization.
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The Heads of State Council (HSC) is the highest decision-making body in the SCO. It meets once every year to take decisions and give instructions on all important issues regarding SCO activity. The Organisation has two permanent bodies — the Secretariat in Beijing (China) and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent.