TEHRAN - Less than three years after the late Ebrahim Raisi took power as Iran’s president, the country has gained great achievements in joining major international organizations.

Iran had long been seeking to secure full membership in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) but it did not happen before the rule of President Raisi.

The country first applied for membership in the alliance 17 years ago, but it took until 2021 – shortly after the start of Raisi government – for the request to be approved.

Iran’s full membership was finally ratified in the 23rd virtual summit of the bloc in early July 2023.

The Organization is of key international and regional significance as it is the world's largest regional organization in terms of geographic scope and population.

In another achievement for Raisi administration, the Islamic Republic of Iran officially became a member of the BRICS bloc of emerging economies on August 24, 2023.

The group is aimed to bring together the world's most important developing countries, to challenge the political and economic power of the West.

Addressing the 15th BRICS Summit after Iran’s joining the bloc, President Raisi said that the benefits of Iran’s membership in the bloc would become historic.

This membership will mark a new chapter and a stronger step towards justice, fairness, morality, and lasting peace in the international scene, President Raisi said.

Raisi praised the decision of the BRICS members to expand the bloc, calling it an admirable measure that paves the way for global development based on justice.

From the very beginning, President Raisi stressed that his foreign policy would focus on ththe e expansion of ties with neighboring and friendly countries.

In line with this policy, the Raisi administration had been reaching out to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Raisi’s efforts finally led to the signing of a long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA) with the union on December 25, 2024.

Although the FTA has yet to be ratified by the parliaments of all the six parties to the agreement before it can take effect, it is seen as a major step in the enhancement of trade between Iran and the five-member bloc.

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