Belarus officially joins SCO, becoming its 10th member state

Chinese President Xi Jinping here on Thursday called for building a common home featuring solidarity and mutual trust, peace and tranquility, prosperity and development, good-neighborliness and friendship, as well as fairness and justice, Xinhua reports.

Xi made the remarks when attending the expanded meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), or SCO+.

At present, changes of historical significance across the world during our times are unfolding in ways like never before, Xi said, adding that the international landscape is undergoing rapid transformation.

To cope with this major transformation, the key is to have the wisdom to see the changes, the ability to deal with the changes, and the courage to make changes, Xi said.

China proposes that SCO member states do more to share their experience on governance and hold the SCO Political Parties Forum at an appropriate time, he said.

No matter how the international landscape changes, the SCO must hold the bottom line of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, Xi said.

Real security is premised on the security of all countries, he added.

We need to respect the development path of respective, independent choosing, and support each other in safeguarding core interests, he said.

We need to bridge our differences, build more consensus, and enhance mutual trust through strategic communication, Xi said.

He called for earnest efforts to establish a financing platform of the SCO, and welcomed all parties to use the Beidou Satellite Navigation System and participate in the development of the International Lunar Research Station.

China will provide at least 1,000 training opportunities on digital technology to fellow countries in the SCO in the next three years, and host 1,000 young people from countries in the SCO for exchange opportunities in China in the next five years, Xi said.

The Chinese president said the current SCO summit has 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.

The SCO should make its important contribution to eliminating the deficits in peace, development, security and governance, he said.

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping here Thursday called on the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to ensure security in the face of real threat from the Cold War mentality, Xinhua reports.

Xi made the remarks when attending the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO.

He urged the member states to adhere to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, address complex and intertwined security challenges through dialogue and coordination, and respond to the profoundly changing international landscape with a win-win approach, so as to build a world of lasting peace and universal security.

Xi spoke highly of Kazakhstan's positive efforts and significant contributions to improving the operational mechanism of the SCO and deepening cooperation in various fields during its rotating presidency, and welcomed Belarus to attend the SCO summit as a member state for the first time.

He pointed out that the SCO was founded at the turn of the century when confrontations and divisions left by the Cold War had yet to be resolved.

The SCO founding members made a historical decision to pursue peaceful development, commit to good-neighborliness and friendship, and build a new type of international relations, Xi said, adding that the "Shanghai Spirit" has become a shared value and guiding principle for the member states.

Noting that the SCO has had its 10th member state since its establishment 23 years ago, Xi said the foundation for SCO cooperation has become more solid as the SCO "big family" has growing membership which covers three continents around the world.

As the world is faced with accelerating changes unseen in a century, the human society is standing at a crossroads of history again, Xi said.

Xi pointed out that the SCO stands on the right side of history, fairness and justice, and is of great significance to the world.

He called on SCO members to safeguard the right to development in the face of real risks of "small yard, high fences."

Xi noted that SCO members should adhere to mutual benefits and inclusiveness, join hands to push for scientific and technological innovation, keep industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, stimulate the internal impetus of regional economies, and work towards common development goals.

SCO members should consolidate unity and jointly oppose external interference in the face of the real challenges of interference and division, he said.

The SCO members should firmly support each other, accommodate each other's concerns, handle internal differences with a spirit of harmony, and resolve cooperation difficulties by seeking common ground while reserving differences, and firmly grasp the destiny of our countries and the peace and development of the region in our own hands, Xi said.

The SCO has withstood the test of the changing international landscape, the root cause of which lies in the fact that SCO members remain committed to the fine tradition of solidarity and coordination, the way of cooperation featuring equality and mutual benefit, the value pursuit on fairness and justice, and the broad-mindedness of inclusiveness and mutual learning, Xi stressed.

Xi called on the member states to stay true to the original aspiration, continue to uphold the "Shanghai Spirit," help each other on their respective path to success, jointly maintain the development direction of the SCO, and build the organization into a reliable backbone for common prosperity and revitalization of its member states.

Leaders of the SCO members attending the meeting spoke positively of the constructive role of the organization in safeguarding regional peace and security, and voiced readiness to further strengthen cooperation in such areas as trade, transportation, energy, finance, agriculture, digital economy and technological innovation, as well as to deepen people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, tourism and youth, among other fields.

Noting that the current global political and economic landscape as well as international relations are undergoing major changes, the leaders said the United Nations should play a central coordinating role in promoting the building of a more representative, democratic and equitable multipolar world system, and pushing for an economic globalization that is mutually beneficial and inclusive.

They called for respecting the legitimate security concerns of all countries, committing to resolve differences and disputes between countries through peaceful means, and opposing unilateral sanctions and interference in other countries' internal affairs.

The leaders agreed to improve the SCO mechanism for dealing with security threats and challenges, resolutely combat the "three forces," drug trafficking and transnational organized crime, support the international community's efforts for peace and development in Afghanistan, and support a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution.

They signed and issued a series of documents, including an Astana declaration, and an initiative calling for solidarity among countries to promote world justice, harmony and development.

The meeting formally approved Belarus' accession to the SCO, and decided that China will resume the rotating presidency of the organization for 2024-2025.

 

Today, the Astana Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO member states was signed following the SCO summit in the Kazakh capital, within which China will assume the rotating presidency of the SCO for 2024-2025, Kazinform News Agency cites the press service of the Organization.

SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming thanked the Republic of Kazakhstan for the productive work as the Chair during the meeting of the SCO Council of the Heads of State.

Before concluding, I’d like to thank the Republic of Kazakhstan for the productive work as the Chair as well as congratulate the People’s Republic of China on the beginning of the presidency of the Organization, said the SCO Secretary General.

 

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana, member states elected a new Secretary General of the organization. Kazakhstan's Nurlan Yermekbayev becomes the new Secretary General for 2025-2027, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.

In different years Yermekbayev worked as defense minister, minister for religious affairs and civil society deputy foreign minister and assistant to the president - secretary of the Security Council. He is currently serving as Deputy Secretary General of the SCO.

Yermekbayev holds the diplomatic rank of Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary First Class. Speaks Kazakh, Russian, English, Chinese and Portuguese.

The Secretary General is appointed from among the citizens of the member states on a rotational basis for a period of three years without the right of extension for the next term. Zhang Ming of China has been SCO Secretary-General since 1 January 2022.

 

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana, the leaders of the participating countries signed a number of key documents aimed at deepening cooperation in various fields, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.

The Astana Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO member states is signed.

An agreement between the SCO member-states "On cooperation in the field of environmental protection" was also signed.

 

Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev summed up the results of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The President said that thanks to the support of all SCO participants, as many as 150 events of different levels, including digital, tourism, energy and business forums, as well as the SCO youth council meeting, were held in the year of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the SCO, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the Akorda press service.

According to him, 60 new documents including the anti-drug strategy, the plan on implementation of the economic cooperation strategy, environmental protection agreement and energy cooperation development strategy have been developed. The range of the Organization’s international partners has been expanded. The activity of the Special Working Group on Promoting Investment has revived its activity. The process of transition to payments in national currencies has gained a positive dynamics.

Cultural-humanitarian ties strengthening was also in the spotlight of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the SCO, he noted.

In general, as Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said, Kazakhstan fully implemented the goals and tasks stated at the previous summit. He also expressed his gratitude to all countries for the support and active participation in implementation of Kazakhstan's initiatives.

 

The 24th Summit of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has kicked off in Astana, Kazinform News Agency reports.

Presidents and heads of government of Kazakhstan, Iran, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Turkiye, and Turkmenistan, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Minister of External Affairs of India, SCO Secretary-General and Director of the SCO RATS Executive Committee are taking part in the event.

UN Secretary-General and heads of such international organizations as the CIS, ECO, CICA, CSTO, EEC and IOFS also joined the summit.

The Astana Declaration, 20 decisions and three statements of the heads of state including the initiative "On World Unity for Just Peace and Harmony" and "On Improvement of the SCO". The completion of the procedure on accession of Belarus to the SCO.

The heads of state are expected to discuss a wide range of issues promoting further strengthening of multilateral cooperation within the SCO, its perspectives and solution of pressing international and regional problems.

The SCO+ meeting will be held in an extended format and will be titled as "World Unity for a Just Peace, Harmony and Development."

 

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who arrived in Astana for the SCO summit, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.

During the talk, President Tokayev expressed gratitude to Putin for the participation in the work of the SCO summit as well as pointed out the significant contribution Russia makes to the strengthening of the Shanghai spirit and the promotion of multilateral cooperation between the member states of the Organization.

The SCO presidency is a very honorable and responsible mission. Tomorrow, I will make a report about the work carried out under our presidency. The Organization is undergoing reform, which is not an easy task. The SCO has gained the necessary credibility at the international arena. From my point of view, it’s one of the most successful international organizations. Moreover, it is democratic by its nature, as the principle of equality of all states is respected. Of course, I cannot but note the huge contribution of Russia to strengthening of the SCO potential. In this regard, I’d like to express gratitude to you as the chair, said the Kazakh President.

The Head of State also spoke about the current state and prospects of development of Kazakhstan-Russia relations of strategic partnership and alliance.

Tokayev stressed that the bilateral cooperation grows on an upward trajectory after the historic visit of Vladimir Putin to Kazakhstan November last year.

I took personal control of the realization of the agreements reached earlier. The projects agreed upon during your visit, in fact, reflect the strategic nature of interaction between our states. Therefore, I have no doubt that they will be finally realized as they meet the interests of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, said Tokayev.

The Kazakh leader invited Russian President Putin to make a state visit to Kazakhstan this fall in view of the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council.

In his turn, Putin thanked Tokayev for the invitation to attend the SCO summit and highlighted the extensive efforts Kazakhstan made to prepare for the significant event. The summit is international in scope not formally, but in terms of its content. I’d like to note that our countries preside over a number of international organizations: your country chairing the SCO and CSTO, and Russia - BRICS and CIS. So, our countries will support and assist one another. I’d like to extend the words of gratitude for inviting to Kazakhstan on a state visit. Of course, it will be reasonable to visit in view of the CSTO summit. Speaking about our bilateral relations, regular contacts are being maintained. I cannot but note growth in our trade turnover, reaching nearly 30 billion US dollars, which is a good figure. Russia remains one of the main trade and economic partners of Kazakhstan, said Russian President Putin.

The meeting also focused on the prospects for developing industrial cooperation, promoting mutually beneficial partnership in the energy sphere as well as stepping up cross-regional ties. Both presidents reiterated mutual commitment to regular political dialogue both in bilateral and multilateral formats.