THE ROLE OF THE SCO IN STRENGTHENING MULTILATERAL COOPERATION AND REGIONAL STABILITY

Results of the meeting of the Council of Heads of State – SCO members:

1. 1. Expansion of the SCO:
      • Admission of the Republic of Belarus to the SCO and granting it the status of a member state.

1. 1. General results of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship:
      • Conducting about 150 events at various levels.
      • Signing of 60 new documents, including the Anti-Drug Strategy, the Plan for the Implementation of the Economic Cooperation Strategy, the Agreement in the Field of Environmental Protection and the Strategy for the Development of Energy Cooperation.

1. 1. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation:
      • Projects “Spiritual Shrines of the SCO Countries” and the international music festival “Silk Road SCO”.
      • Identification of 10 tourist territories for joint projects.
      • The city of Almaty has become the cultural and tourist capital of the SCO.

1. 1. Strengthening security:
      • Development of the Agreement on Confidence Building Measures in the Military Sphere.
      • Strengthening cybersecurity through the creation of a mechanism for the constant exchange of information and the application of best practices.
      • Adoption of the Interaction Plan on issues of ensuring international information security.

1. 1. Economic cooperation:
      • Expansion of trade and economic cooperation.
      • Creating conditions for the free movement of capital and technology.
      • Development of special tax, customs and migration regimes.
      • Creation of a Mechanism for Financial Support of Project Activities on the basis of the Astana International Financial Center.

1. 1. Transport connectivity:
      • Synergy of the Chinese project “One Belt, One Road”, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and Trans-Eurasian corridors.
      • Creation of a partnership network of strategic ports and logistics centers within the SCO.

1. 1. Reform and modernization of the SCO:
      • Improving the activities of the SCO and strengthening the role of the Secretariat and the Secretary General.
      • Adoption of balanced proposals to transform the SCO into a more effective multilateral cooperation mechanism.

The main points of the speech of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K. Tokayev at the SCO Plus summit

1. Strengthening peace and security:

• President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the importance of collective efforts to strengthen peace, stability and security in the face of growing geopolitical contradictions. He proposed the development of an Agreement on confidence-building measures in the military sphere and strengthening cybersecurity.
• The SCO must strengthen its stabilizing role to overcome the erosion of international law and prevent geopolitical fault lines.
• The adopted Plan of interaction on issues of ensuring international information security.

1. Trade and economic cooperation:

• Strengthening trade and economic ties aimed at maintaining positive dynamics and building potential.
• Creating conditions for the free movement of capital and technology, combating climate challenges.
• The adopted Plan of Specific Actions for the Implementation of the SCO Economic Development Strategy until 2030.
• A call for the creation of a single platform for discussing and approving investment projects, as well as a proposal to create a Mechanism for financial support of project activities on the basis of the Astana International Financial Center.

1. Transport connectivity:

• Create efficient corridors and reliable supply chains. The importance of the synergy of the One Belt, One Road projects, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and the Trans-Eurasian corridors.
• Proposal for the creation of a partnership network of strategic ports and logistics centers.

1. Environmental cooperation and combating climate change:

• Strengthening cooperation in the field of ecology and combating climate change.
• Development of joint actions to solve the problem of degradation of inland water bodies and the introduction of water-saving technologies.
• The adopted SCO Anti-Drug Strategy for 2024-2029 and the Program for its implementation, as well as the Strategy for the Development of Energy Cooperation until 2030.

1. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation:

• Expanding cultural and humanitarian ties between participating countries.
• Implementation of projects such as “Spiritual Shrines of the SCO Countries” and the international music festival “SCO Silk Road”.
• Introducing the practice of annual meetings of young leaders and talents of the SCO countries, expanding the network of SCO universities and increasing the number of grants for students.

1. Reform and modernization of the SCO:

• In the context of global changes, there is a need to improve the activities of the SCO.
• Kazakhstan’s proposal to transform the Organization into a more effective multilateral cooperation mechanism, including strengthening the role of the SCO Secretariat and the Secretary General.

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed confidence that the documents signed at the summit will open a new page of cooperation within the SCO and will contribute to the systemic and comprehensive development of the Organization. He also noted the importance of the support of all countries in the implementation of Kazakhstani initiatives and expressed optimism about the future of the SCO.

Photo: t.me/ aqorda_resmi