On July 4, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took part in a regular meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO Member States, held via videoconferencing.
In accordance with the agenda, an exchange of views took place on topical issues of regional and international themes, and prospects for further expansion of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation were discussed. Mirziyoyev, in his speech, assessed the ongoing fundamental changes in the system of international relations - increased geopolitical tensions and escalation of conflicts, the emergence of new risks and threats to global stability and sustainable development, and the growing challenges in the field of ecology, food and energy security.
“In this regard, there is an obvious urgent need to establish a constructive and trusting dialogue,” he said.
Speaking about the SCO activities, the President drew attention to the fact that the success of this organization is ensured by strict observance of its basic principles. It is a non-bloc status, a strong commitment to openness, equality and decision-making based on consensus.
“And most importantly, our cooperation is based on mutual respect and constructive perception of different interests, positions, views, cultural differences of the member states,” the head of state said.
In order to further maintain and strengthen the leading role of the SCO as an effective international structure in addressing the most pressing issues on the regional agenda, it was proposed to conduct an inventory of the agreements and decisions adopted, audit the activities of institutions and cooperation mechanisms, and also accelerate the implementation of agreements on the modernization of the SCO. The need to implement a joint research project on the prospects for the development of the organization within the framework of the SCO expert forum was indicated. Taking into account the agenda of the summit, the president put forward proposals for the further development of cooperation within the framework of the organization. In particular, he put forward an initiative to develop a multilateral political document - the Code of Good Neighborliness, Trust and Cross-Border Partnership of the SCO.
“Its adoption will allow defining priority tasks, developing common approaches and comprehensive measures to further deepen cooperation in the new conditions,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
He stressed that the SCO states are leaders in terms of industrial and innovative development, have a huge intellectual potential, rich energy and agricultural resources.
“Today, more than ever, the initiative to form a common space for increasing intra-regional trade and industrial and technological cooperation is relevant,” the President noted.
In this context, the president proposed adopting a program for a new SCO economic dialogue covering such areas as innovative development, digitalization and robotization, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and other industries of the future. In order to promote projects in these areas, the head of state proposed to hold in Uzbekistan a week of innovative partnership between the regions of the SCO member states with the organization of a joint exhibition of high technologies. Touching upon transport and communication issues, the president initiated the development of a unified map of the transport interconnectedness of the SCO states.
“We need closer coordination and practical interaction on the SCO platform on issues of adaptation to climate change, decarbonization through alternative, solar and wind energy, the development of smart agriculture and water conservation,” the head of state said.
The President expressed his readiness to hold a scientific and practical conference on the development of the SCO tourism industry within the framework of the anniversary session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization in October 2023 on the basis of the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Samarkand. The Head of State dwelled separately on the relevance of conducting a coordinated policy in order to fully unlock the richest cultural and humanitarian potential of the SCO. In this regard, it was proposed to introduce the practice of forming an annual calendar of intensive cultural exchange and prepare a program of activities to expand youth exchange - "SCO - a space for creative ideas and initiatives of the future".
Highlighting efforts to intensify the activities of the regional anti-terrorist structure of the SCO, Mirziyoyev spoke in favor of continuing the practice of visiting meetings of the RATS Council, allowing this structure to increase its competence in matters of prompt response to modern security threats.
Another important issue highlighted the difficult situation in Afghanistan. The President stressed that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization states, which are Afghanistan's immediate neighbors, are most interested in finding a long-term political solution. In this regard, it was proposed to resume joint work and consultations in the format of the SCO-Afghanistan contact group.
Following the event, heads of the SCO member states signed the following documents:
- New Delhi Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO Member States;
- the decision to approve the strategy for economic development in the SCO region until 2030;
- a decision to complete the procedure for admitting Iran to the SCO and granting it the status of a SCO member state;
- the decision to sign a memorandum of commitment by Belarus in order to obtain the status of a SCO member state.
In addition, 10 documents were adopted aimed at further enhancing economic cooperation and digital transformation, ensuring regional security and expanding cultural and humanitarian ties. The chairmanship in the SCO has passed to Kazakhstan.
