The recent summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan, brought together leaders from its ten member countries, including the newly admitted Belarus. This gathering underscored the SCO’s commitment to enhancing regional security and fostering economic cooperation across Central Asia.
The SCO’s final declaration at the summit articulated a collective stance on global governance, advocating for a new international order characterized by democracy and justice. The organization’s members share aligned perspectives on regional and international issues, emphasizing the need to counteract geopolitical confrontations and violations of international law that threaten stability.
Central to the SCO’s principles is the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states and others, rejecting interventions under the pretext of safeguarding human rights. The organization reaffirmed its support for the United Nations as the primary forum for international relations, calling for reforms to ensure equitable representation of developing nations.
While the SCO maintains a primary focus on Asia, its member states are dedicated to cultivating cooperative and non-confrontational relationships. They envision an inclusive security framework spanning Eurasia that is characterized by equality and indivisibility. The recent declaration underscored shared concerns regarding destabilizing elements, including the development and deployment of anti-ballistic missile systems by certain nations, perceived as potentially undermining global security. This emphasis reflects the SCO’s commitment to fostering dialogue and collaborative efforts aimed at promoting stability and mutual trust across the region and beyond. By addressing these challenges collectively, the SCO aims to strengthen regional resilience and contribute positively to global peace and security dynamics.
Economically, the SCO reiterated its steadfast support for ongoing de-dollarization initiatives aimed at diversifying global trade away from dependency on the US dollar. Emphasizing the principles of openness, transparency, and inclusivity, the organization advocated for the establishment and maintenance of equitable trade systems that benefit all participating nations. In alignment with these principles, the SCO voiced strong opposition to protectionist measures and unilateral sanctions, which it deemed as running counter to international law and detrimental to the interconnectedness of global commerce. By championing these positions, the SCO reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a fair and stable international economic environment conducive to sustainable development and mutual prosperity among member states and beyond.
Security-wise, the SCO placed significant emphasis on arms control, advocating for the implementation of international agreements designed to reduce and meticulously monitor weapons of mass destruction. Central to this commitment was the organization’s proactive stance on safeguarding outer space from militarization, stressing the critical need to maintain space as a domain free from weapons. Moreover, the SCO underscored the value of fostering peaceful cooperation in space-related endeavors, promoting collaborative initiatives that harness space technology for the collective benefit of member states and the broader international community. By prioritizing these strategic objectives, the SCO reaffirmed its dedication to enhancing global security frameworks and advancing sustainable peace through responsible arms management and space exploration practices.
The SCO delivered an unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in its entirety, denouncing it in all its forms and manifestations. The organization emphasized the imperative of collective global action to effectively confront and dismantle terrorist groups and their supporters. Furthermore, the SCO highlighted the need for concerted efforts to counter extremist content disseminated online and to combat ideologies that propagate intolerance and discrimination. Emphasizing the importance of proactive measures, the SCO underscored its commitment to fostering a secure and harmonious environment within its member states and beyond, reinforcing the global resolve to eradicate terrorism and uphold peace.
In the realm of sustainable development, the SCO underscored its unwavering commitment to fostering economic growth hand in hand with environmental protection. A pivotal aspect of this commitment involved championing the equitable transfer of green technologies to developing nations, thereby bolstering their capacity to pursue sustainable development pathways. Moreover, the summit spotlighted collaborative efforts in crucial areas such as atomic energy, tourism development, healthcare infrastructure enhancement, effective waste management strategies, and the facilitation of technology transfer among member states. These initiatives were heralded as pivotal steps toward advancing mutual prosperity and resilience across the SCO region and beyond.
The summit culminated in a resolute reaffirmation of the SCO’s steadfast commitment to multilateralism and cooperative endeavors. Central to this commitment was the reiterated recognition of the crucial role collective efforts play in effectively tackling pressing global challenges. Emphasizing the imperative of fostering sustained dialogue and robust collaboration among its diverse member states, the SCO endeavors to proactively contribute to both regional resilience and global stability amidst the ever-evolving complexities of contemporary geopolitical landscapes.