ISLAMABAD: The member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Wednesday reaffirmed their resolve to peacefully solve disputes through consultations and dialogue besides stressing the importance of enhancing cooperation across various sectors, including politics, security, finance, trade, and cultural ties, to build a peaceful, prosperous, safe, and ecologically sustainable world.
In a joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the two-day SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting held in Islamabad, the heads of delegations called for sustainable and inclusive economic growth of member countries by optimizing the region’s potential in areas such as green development, trade, e-commerce, digital economy, finance and banking, investment, start-ups and innovation, high technology, poverty alleviation, health care, including traditional and folk medicine, agriculture, transport, industry, logistics connectivity, including renewable energy, energy, communications, science and technology, environment and climate change.
The heads of delegations expressed their desire to ensure stable economic and social development in the SCO region and noted the significance of implementing the SCO Economic Development Strategy up to 2030 and the Program of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation of the SCO member countries.
They stressed the need for joint efforts through the mechanisms of relevant cooperation in order to implement the respective action plans.
The event was chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and was attended by the leaders from the SCO member states including China’s Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Tajik Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda, Kyrgyzstan’s Chairman of Ministers’ Cabinet Zhaparov Akylbek, Trade Minister of Iran Seyyed Mohammad Atabek, and External Affairs Minister of India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Mongolia participated in the summit as an Observer State represented by Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai and Turkmenistan as a Special Guest represented by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Rashid Meredov.
Among other dignitaries attending the conference include SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, Director of Executive Committee SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) Ruslan Mirzayev, Chairman of the Board of SCO Business Council Atif Ikram Shaikh and Chairman of the Council of SCO Interbank Union Marat Yelibayev.
The heads of the delegation said significant shifts in the international economy because of advancements in technology and e-commerce, voicing concern over reduced investment and disrupted supply chains caused by protectionist measures and trade barriers.
Opposing trade restrictions and unilateral sanctions, the delegations stressed the need for a multilateral trading system to support international sustainable development.
Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their support for China’s One Belt, One Road initiative, highlighting ongoing joint unilateral sanctions and collaborative efforts to integrate this project with the Eurasian Economic Union.
The heads of delegation underlined the significance of leveraging regional potential and global cooperation to facilitate equitable interactions within the SCO. They called for sustainable and inclusive economic growth, advocating for optimization in green development, health care, agriculture, digital economy, energy, and environmental initiatives.
They also lauded Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the SCO for 2023-2024 and emphasized the importance of implementing decisions from the July 4, 2024, CHS meeting, while voicing support for China’s chairmanship for 2024-2025.
They noted that the member countries advocate respect for the right of peoples to independently and democratically choose their political, social and economic development, stressing that the principles of common respect for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of states, equality, non-interference in internal affairs, mutual benefit, non-use of force or threat of use of force are the basis for the sustainable development of international ties.
They reaffirm the commitment to the peaceful settlement of differences and disputes between the countries through consultations and dialogue.
They stressed the importance of leveraging regional potential and international cooperation to foster broad, equitable interactions in the SCO region based on global law and mutual respect.
They highlighted the need to boost trade and economic ties through the “New Economic Dialogue” concept among SCO member states.
They also stressed the importance of leveraging the digital economy and technological innovations to enhance regional competitiveness and ensure that technology benefits all.
The Heads of delegations stressed the importance of deepening cooperation in the field of information security, and the relevance of the “digital divide” issue and advocated for exploring the creation of a mechanism for cross-border data exchange.
They noted the role of standardization tools in trade facilitation and called for the promotion of mutually beneficial and equal interaction between the SCO member states, as well as the exchange of experience in these areas.
They acknowledged the importance of the SCO Industry Ministers’ Meeting and proposed its next session in 2025, stressing that support for creative industries will enhance competitiveness, reduce unemployment, and foster sustainable growth in the region.
They supported establishing an exchange of experiences on national industrial policies and IT standardization. They emphasized the significance of developing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to drive economic growth and job creation, advocating continued cooperation under the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding.
Heads of delegation emphasized the importance of a unified energy vision, calling for continued cooperation in energy infrastructure, security, and investment in renewable energy.
They reaffirmed the importance of implementing the road map for increasing the use of national currencies in mutual settlements and supported proposals for an independent settlement mechanism and converging payment systems.
They also recognized the SCO Business Council’s role in promoting business cooperation and noted the Interbank Association’s efforts in ESG financing and financial innovations, along with Iran’s intention to join the IBA.
Heads of delegation added enhancing railway transport cooperation and welcomed the upcoming meeting of Railway Administrations in Moscow. They advocated for innovative technologies in multi-model transport and called for developing infrastructure, logistics, and safety measures, aligning with the SCO’s Concept of Cooperation on ports and logistics centers.
They also called for enhanced cooperation in environmental protection, waste management and biodiversity conservation. They reiterated the commitment to addressing climate change through experience sharing and established a Special Working Group to accelerate related initiatives.
They supported deepening cooperation among emergency agencies to monitor natural disaster risks and improve response strategies.
Heads of delegation advocated enhanced cooperation in preventing and treating diseases, improving healthcare digitalization, and developing medical tourism in the SCO region.
The heads of delegations noted the importance of developing further cooperation in overcoming poverty and increasing the well-being of the population within the framework of the activities of the Special Working Group (SWG) of the SCO Member States on poverty reduction issues.
They called for further enhancing cooperation in order to increase mutual trade in agricultural products and expand the areas of interaction between the Member States on the basis of previously adopted documents and solutions in the field of agriculture and food security.
The heads of delegation reiterated the need for action to strengthen international food security, improve nutrition and encourage efforts to develop cooperation in research on climate-resilient and nutritious cereal crops, including millet, rice, wheat, maize and other traditional crops.
They said they attached great importance to holding sports events and competitions with the participation of SCO Member States, SCO Observer States and SCO Dialogue Partners in order to strengthen sports ties between the countries, as well as the development of Olympic, non-Olympic, and Paralympic and national sports.
They welcomed the adoption of a roadmap for the implementation of the Cooperation Programme of the SCO Member States for the Development of Artificial Intelligence.
The heads of delegations stressed that people-to-people diplomacy contributes to strengthening mutual understanding and cultural and humanitarian ties within the SCO.
The SCO CHG also approved the Report of the SCO Secretariat on the Events and Meetings held within the framework of the Implementation of the Programme of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation of the SCO Member States and the SCO budget for 2025.
During the meeting, decisions were made on a number of issues related to the financial and organizational activities of the SCO permanent bodies, taking into account the accession of the Republic of Belarus to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The heads of the delegation expressed their gratitude to Pakistan for the successful organization of the 23rd meeting of the SCO CHG, which was held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere.
The next meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the SCO Member States will be held in 2025 in the Russian Federation.
