Astana ready to host SCO summit

Photo shows Independence Square in Astana, Kazakhstan, July 1, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Shan Lu)

The 24th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is about to take place. In Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan and the venue of the meeting, there is already a strong atmosphere of anticipation for the summit.

Flags of the 24th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are hung in front of historic buildings in Astana, Kazakhstan, July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/China News Service/Shan Lu)

Promotional pages for the SCO summit are displayed on billboards in downtown Astana, Kazakhstan, July 1, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Shan Lu)

The streets of Astana, Kazakhstan, are clean and tidy on July 1, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Shan Lu)

The streets of Astana, Kazakhstan are clean and tidy on July 1 (local time), 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Shan Lu)