Tazeen Akhtar / Islamabad / Pakistan
Astana Summit 2024 of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Council of Heads of State, the highest body of SCO hosted by the Republic of Kazakhstan as Chair of SCO on 02-03 July is expected to bring more encouraging results in shared development and prosperity, that is the basic aim of this second largest org in the world after United Nations. The SCO is governed by the Heads of State Council (HSC), its supreme decision-making body, which meets once a year. The organization also contains the Regional Antiterrorist Structure (RATS).
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presented proposals that are intended to give new impetus to multilateral engagement of the SCO members. He has said that today, the world is facing serious challenges due to unprecedented geopolitical contradictions and growing conflict potential.
“The architecture of international security is under threat, which could lead to dire consequences for all of humankind.In such a crucial period, we have a great responsibility to strengthen peace, stability, and security through collective efforts at regional and global levels.” President Tokayev said.
He highlighted the necessity to focus on regional trade and economic integration. The proposal to create efficient corridors and reliable supply chains, in synergy with China’s Belt and Road initiative, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), and the North-South Trans-Eurasian Corridors, is an important move towards enhancing regional connectivity and economic integration.
At the current stage, the economies of the SCO countries are showing high growth rates from 4 to 9%. The share of SCO states in global GDP is already 30%. Today, the foreign trade of member countries exceeds 8 trillion dollars, which is equivalent to a quarter of all world trade.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, given its authority and significant economic and human resources, is capable of developing effective solutions to achieve the goals of sustainable development and overcome modern challenges.
President Tokayev proposed to build a more flexible strategy of trade and economic interaction aimed at maintaining positive dynamics and building capacity. In the present world of conflicts and disputes , it is imperative to strengthen trade and economic ties.
Kazakhstan proposed revival of Special Working Group on promotion of investment trade and economic cooperation that has been hailed by the members because it will be helpful in accelerating the pace of the activities and the growth.
Tokayev advocated for the development of an agreement on confidence-building measures in the military sphere, focusing on combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Looking towards the ongoing conflicts in East Europe, Middle East and others, one can hope for a peaceful world if the vision of the leaders of SCO is fully implemented in its true sense and that is the real Shanghai Spirit on which basis the SCO was established.The process of expanding the structure and the inclusion of new members and observers proves the growing influence of the SCO in the World.
Astana Summit 2024 has further strengthened the partnership at international as well as bilateral level between the member countries. Kazakhstan has amicably proved herself equal to the high level international tasks by hosting the Summit in the maximum befitting manner for which the leader of the New Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and his team deserve appreciation. All the leaders have recognized Kazakhstan’s proactive stance and role during her chairmanship. China is the incumbent Chair now for 2024-25.
President Tokayev proposed that on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 20th anniversary of cooperation between the SCO and the UN, we adopt a resolution of the UN General Assembly in support of our initiative on World Unity for Just Peace, Harmony, and Development. This speaks a lot about the importance Kazakhstan attaches with the principles of common well being through multilateral engagements.
The Summit is rightly supposed to go a long way in ensuring regional security by strengthening and deepening bilateral and multilateral ties. Astana summit is important milestone in the development of cooperation, creating new opportunities for joint initiatives.
SCO to Shape Democratic, Equitable International Political & Economic Order – Strategic Agreements in Astana Summit
“Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue – Striving towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity” was the theme of the Summit that is self explanatory. The Summit adopted “Astana Declaration” aimed at joint efforts for peace, development and prosperity in and outside of the SCO borders.
The members signed 25 documents to promote cooperation in energy, security, trade, finance, information security, cyber security, regional and international connectivity, education,environment, climate change, humanitarian assistance, culture, sports and other sectors.
The agenda of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the SCO was highly assessed and fully responded to current pressing issues, challenges and problems in the organization’s space.The role of Kazakhstan as a link between regional and global players was especially emphasized.
The Summit adopted the Action Plan for the implementation of the SCO Economic Development Strategy until 2030. The SCO’s interaction with the Eurasian Economic Union, BRICS, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations was also came under discussion that will open up new potential avenues to tap the multiple opportunities for all parties.This provides the basis for engaging the states for prosperity and reduces the risks of further confrontation in the World.
President Tokayev authored a special article with title “Middle Powers have the power to safe multilateralism” few days before the SCO Summit in which he shared his vision and the achievements in the practical implementation of Kazakhstan agenda in the SCO. Kazakhstan organized more than 100 activities that meant for improvement in the cooperation among the members and further clarify the way forward to implement the agreed roadmap of the SCO.
China & SCO
President Xi Jinping shared his vision on the transformation of the organization to make it a beautiful home for the members. He proposed 5 steps to move toward that destination.
First, we should build a common home of solidarity and mutual trust. A few days ago, China held the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The Shanghai Spirit is consistent with the essence of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. It is the shared value of our Organization, and should be all the more cherished and faithfully observed at all times. Second, SCO should strengthen intelligence sharing and conduct joint operations to jointly safeguard security in our part of the world. Third, China is ready to work with all parties to fully implement the eight major steps under high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. China welcomes all parties to use the Beidou Satellite Navigation System. Fourth, for good-neighborliness and friendship, China is ready to provide quality platforms for countries in the SCO to engage in dialogues.Fifth, for fairness and justice, we should jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, practice true multilateralism, and make global governance more just and equitable.
Pakistan & SCO + Kazakhstan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif participated in the Summit, shared his vision and had bilateral meetings with the leaders including President Tokayev, Xi, Putin, Shavkat, Emomali Rahmon and others.
Pakistan is advocate of creating a safe environment for the development and diversification of multifaceted cooperation between the nations. Pakistan considers the SCO an integral part of the process of maintaining international peace and security for two decades since the establishment of the organization.Kazakhstan and Pakistan are developing interaction within organizations, as well as bilateral trade, economic, transport, logistics and humanitarian cooperation. The IT industry and the financial sector are also promising areas.
Conclusion
The SCO Summit issued the Astana Declaration, the SCO initiative on world unity for justice, harmony and development, and the statement on the principles of good-neighborliness, trust and partnership. All other technical matters have their relevant importance but the trust and partnership among the nations is the need of the hour that should be prioritized by all members. Also it is worth learning a lesson for the other states , especially that are involved in invasions and genocide in some parts of the World. The World needs a break badly from the conflicts, wars, killings and aggressions.
What is SCO
SCO covers 80% area of Eurasia and 40 % of the population of the World. Its GDP last year was measured 32% of the total of the World. Shanghai Five formed in 1996 was expanded with Uzbekistan in June 2001 in Shanghai reforming it as SCO. India and Pakistan joined in June 2017 while Iran July last year and Belarus in the last Summit in Astana. Kazakhstan played key role to paving the way for full membership of Pakistan. This year , it was notable that the first organized expanded format “SCO+” was also held with the participation of international organizations and partner countries like Azerbaijan, Turkiye and Qatar.
President Tokayev ; International Security is Under Threat – SCO has Great Responsibility to Strengthen Peace, Stability, and Security through Collective Efforts
