Leaders urge robust SCO connectivity

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for the expansion of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and emphasised the need for advancing the shared vision of an economically integrated region and investment in the connectivity projects without looking at them through political prism.

Delivering his national statement at the 23rd meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Shehbaz stressed the need for reforming the global financial architecture to foster equitable global development.

"Flagship projects like the Belt and Road Initiative of President Xi Jinping ... should be expanded focusing on developing road, rail and digital infrastructure that enhances integration and cooperation across our region," Shehbaz said in his speech as the chair of the meeting.

"Pakistan firmly believes that a stronger, more effective SCO is essential... Let us not look at such projects, through the narrow, political prism and invest in our collective connectivity capacities, which are crucial to advancing the shared vision of an economically integrated region," he said.

At the start of the summit, Shehbaz received the participating leaders – including seven prime ministers and two ministers besides representatives of an observer state and a special guest – at the Convention Centre, the venue of the conference.

In his speech, Shehbaz said that Pakistan endorsed the ongoing SCO reforms aimed at modernising the organisation, enhancing the resources and capabilities of the SCO Secretariat and, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.

"But let us not forget the true essence of the SCO extends beyond political alliances and economic partnerships. It is the rich mosaic of our cultures, the diversity of our peoples that forms the heart of this organisation," he remarked.

"In unity and with shared purpose, we can build lasting legacies and enrich the future of all our nations, he said, adding that it was imperative to shift to tangible actions on the initiatives agreed in the conference through coordinated implementation.

Shehbaz said that the joint communique of the meeting was a testament to shared commitment to fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth, leveraging enhanced connectivity and adopting forward-thinking mechanisms for green development.

Coming to Afghanistan, he said the country presented an invaluable opportunity for trade and transit benefiting all SCO member states. He stressed that a stable Afghanistan was essential to fully realising these opportunities.

He urged the international community to step forward with urgent humanitarian support, while calling upon the Afghan interim government to embrace political inclusivity and ensured that Afghan soil was not misused for terrorism against its neighbours by any entity.

The prime minister underscored the importance of establishing a robust SCO connectivity framework, saying that investment in the regional infrastructure—particularly in the realms of transport and energy—was indispensable for advancing economic integration.

He called for expanding the flagship projects, like the BRI, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), focusing on the development of road, rail, and digital infrastructure that enhanced integration and cooperation across the region.

Shehbaz called for joint efforts to address the root causes of poverty. Highlighting the issue of climate change, he called it an "existential crisis" that transcended borders. He stressed the need for prioritising environmental cooperation within the SCO to build resilience and a sustainable future.

He told the gathering of regional leaders that unilateral coercive measures and protectionist policies ran contrary to the principles of international law. "They stifle economic growth, hinder technological advancements and exacerbate inequality," Shehbaz said. "Reforming the global financial architecture and trade regimes is essential to fostering equitable global development," he added.

Later in his remarks at the conclusion of the summit, Shehbaz told the leaders that the international community should fulfill its responsibility of ensuring an unconditional and immediate ceasefire, leading to the establishment of an independent state of Palestine.

"Let me say that we cannot ignore the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The international community bears the responsibility of ensuring an immediate and unconditional ceasefire leading to the establishment of State of Palestine on the basis of pre-1967 borders with Al Quds as its capital," he said.

Shehbaz highlighted that the summit represented the collective voice and aspirations of more than 40% of the world's population, and expressed the hope that the summit would bring in the "wonderful outcomes" for the benefit of regional economies and uplifting its people.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the transfer of the CHG chairmanship to the Russian Federation and expressed his gratitude to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin for assuming the role. He said that the next CHG meeting would be held in 2025 in Russia.

Enhanced collaboration

The regional leaders participating in the CHG meeting underscored the importance of concerted efforts and enhanced collaboration among all the member states to exploit the region's potential, particularly in trade and connectivity

Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for deepening and expanding cooperation within the SCO. He urged the SCO member states to strengthen strategic alignment, actively respond to major risks, and expand personnel exchanges.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin called for the removal of obstacles to the implementation of plans to increase the share of national currencies in mutual settlements between the SCO countries. He said that his country was considering the possibility of holding a Startup Forum of the SCO next year.

Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov stressed the need for measures to promote trade. He called for the simplification of trade procedures, elimination of trade barriers and promotion of cooperation in digital technology and industrial sectors besides enhancing regional connectivity.

Tajikistan's Prime Minister Qohir Rasoolzoda also emphasised joint efforts for peace and economic development through enhanced cooperation and competitiveness. Citing immense potential, he also called for increasing investment in industrial sector.

Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredev said that Turkmenistan was committed to expand cooperation with the SCO member states in trade, energy and connectivity projects. He said the prospects for such projects were high and urged the member states to exploit this potential.

Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar pointed to challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Palestine war, the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, and disruptions such as extreme climate events, supply chain uncertainties, and emphasised on the solutions provided in the SCO Charter.

Jaishankar told the conference that globalisation and rebalancing had created new opportunities in trade, investment, connectivity, energy flows, and other forms of collaboration that the SCO region can benefit from.

SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming in his remarks highlighted the SCO Secretariat's performance for facilitation of the member states. he told the participants that 2025 would be observed as "Year of Sustainable Development".

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)