SCO leaders for deeper cooperation

Call for enhancing security cooperation, economic integration among members

BEIJING:

At the recently concluded meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, government leaders from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states called for deeper cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, security, connectivity, energy, finance, and green development.

Participants in the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the SCO agreed that, in the face of a complex and volatile international environment, all parties must actively implement the outcomes of the Astana Summit, working together in solidarity and coordination.

Since its inception in 2001, the SCO has been committed to fostering mutual trust, dialogue, and cooperation, playing an increasingly important role in enhancing security cooperation and economic integration among its members.

Enhancing security and stability

"From the very beginning, the SCO Charter was signed based on the fundamental principle of cooperation in countering threats that remain relevant today—terrorism, separatism, extremism, as well as drug trafficking, transnational crime, and illegal migration," said Evgenia Makhmutova, an associate professor at the Department of Political Science of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.

The member states operate under a set of principles, including mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, Makhmutova told Xinhua.

Thanks to effective multilateral cooperation and coordination, the SCO has played a positive role in improving the region's security situation for more than two decades.

Through its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, SCO member countries have enhanced intelligence sharing and operational coordination, making efforts to combat terrorism more effective.

Another key aspect of security cooperation is the exchange of experience and best practices in law enforcement, including training programs, staff exchanges, and technical assistance among member states.

Energy security also holds a prominent place on the SCO agenda. In recent years, efforts have focused on creating a unified energy market and developing joint energy projects.

With evolving geopolitical factors and technological advancements, the SCO is adapting to new challenges, such as protectionism, cybersecurity, and climate change, making the organization more flexible and capable of addressing modern-day threats.

Toward economic integration

Over the years, the SCO has made significant progress in promoting trade and facilitating economic integration among its member states.

Sohail Mahmood, former foreign secretary of Pakistan and director general of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, said that trade among SCO members has grown significantly since the organisation's founding, reflecting its increasing global relevance.

As a member state, Pakistan sees the SCO mechanism as crucial for securing economic cooperation. Amina Masood, a professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences at International Islamic University Islamabad, highlighted the importance of leveraging the SCO meeting in Islamabad to boost Pakistan's trade and technical partnerships with Central and South Asian countries. Economic cooperation has "not only greatly supported socio-economic development within the SCO community but has also contributed to regional and global economic growth and development," said Masood.

The 10-member SCO, which spans over half of the Eurasian landmass, has maintained steady trade growth and closer economic interactions, supported by improved connectivity through enhanced infrastructure.

Notable projects in the region include the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline, the Chinese-built North-South Highway in Kyrgyzstan, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, and the Eurasian transport corridor, all of which have greatly facilitated economic exchanges.

With its large combined population, the SCO represents vast market potential. The collective economic development of its members fuels demand for goods and services, driving robust growth across the region's economies.

Growing influence and vitality

Over the past two decades, the SCO has maintained its vitality and become an influential regional and international organisation amid a turbulent global landscape.

The Shanghai Spirit, which ensures that every member state has an equal voice regardless of economic size, military strength, or international influence, serves as a model for multilateral cooperation.

"As the world goes through a phase of disintegration of the Western-centred international security system, and countries of the Global South strive for equal and sovereign status, the potential for the SCO to become a platform for the integration of non-Western forces is noticeably expanding," Makhmutova told Xinhua.

"The growing number of countries interested in this format undoubtedly enhances the organisation's status and credibility," she added. As its influence grows, the scope of cooperation within the SCO, which currently includes China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus—along with two observer countries and 14 dialogue partners—is also expanding, further boosting the organisation's vitality.

China, the SCO rotating presidency for 2024-2025, has introduced the central theme of "SCO Year of Sustainable Development." Under this theme, closer cooperation will be promoted in a wide range of areas.