Chinese President Xi Jinping, during the expanded meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), also known as SCO+, held in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, on July 4, 2024, called for a building a shared home featuring solidarity, mutual trust, peace, tranquillity, prosperity, development, good neighborliness, friendship, justice and equity. Indeed, the SCO Summit; It emphasizes global unity for justice, harmony and development, as well as the principles of good neighbourliness, trust and partnership. SCO also plays significant role in eliminating the gaps in the fields of peace, security and governance in the world.[1]
Xi, stated that historically significant changes are taking place today around the world like never before, he added that the international landscape is going through a rapid transformation. The Chinese President emphasized that the key to manage this great transformation is to have the wisdom to see the changes, the ability to cope with them, and the courage to make changes. Furthermore, He emphasized regardless how the international landscape changes, the SCO must maintain a shared, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security foundation.
The warm reception by Kazakhstan’s to its guests at the SCO Summit in Astana was a notable example in which the mentioned principles were clearly demonstrated. Kazakhstan’s presidency has been highlighted as providing important momentum to the SCO in this regard. SCO countries respect each other’s development paths, support each other in defending their core interests, resolve differences through the strategic dialogue and increase mutual trust.
During the meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated the SCO’s basis of respecting the views and development models of all member countries. Putin thanked Kazakhstan for hosting the summit, and on the other hand, extended his best wishes to China, which assumed the rotating presidency. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko proposed the establishment a mechanism for bilateral payments in national currencies and suggested the foundation a collective financial institution within the SCO to reduce dependency on the dollar.
During the summit, Kyrgyzstan President Sadir Japarov announced ongoing efforts for establishing of the SCO Development Bank and the SCO Development Fund to support project financing. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the increase of the digital economy and advanced IT solutions for enhancing competitiveness among SCO member countries, increasing the development of comprehensive cooperation plans to attract and digitally accelerate investments and technologies in renewable energy. Additionally, Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahman, Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamed Al Thani, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made significant statements during the summits and engaged many bilateral meetings.[2]
The full membership of Belarus at the summit was a significant indicator that ongoing expansion process of the SCO continues. On the subject, analyst Yuri Yarmolinsky from the Belarusian Strategic Research Institute stated that Belarus sees the SCO as a key platform to expand cooperation opportunities across Eurasian continent, and that Belarus sees the SCO as an important support element in a turbulent world. SCO membership also increases the importance of Belarus as an investment destination in Eurasia. Additionally, as a key participant in the Belt and Road Initiative, Belarus could benefit from additional infrastructure investments, including railway and road networks, energy pipelines and industrial parks. The expectations of Belarus and other member states from the SCO extend beyond economic interests. Since its establishment in 2001, this multilateral structure has evolved into important platform for promoting justice, equality as well as inclusive security and development in international relations.[3]
According to the Astana Declaration, issued at the end of the summit and calling for solidarity among countries to advance global justice, harmony and development; The international system faces a multitude of threats and challenges unprecedented in modern history. The SCO aims to strengthen the UN’s central coordinating role, uphold universally recognized norms of international law, and ensure a more inclusive, fair and equitable environment where all countries, regardless of their geographical location, territorial size, political, economic and social structure, will have equal access to development opportunities. It is stated that it is determined to build a democratic multipolar world order.[4]
The SCO, which is the world’s largest regional organization in terms of geography and population, encompassing approximately 80% of the Eurasian landmass and 40% of the world’s population, constitutes roughly 1/5 of the global economy. With Iran’s involvement, the SCO currently controls 20% of the world’s oil reserves and 44% of its natural gas reserves. The SCO, which plays a pivotal role in China and Russia’s strategic move towards a “multipolar world”, defines itself as the “alternative to the UN” and creates a balance against Western hegemony in a global level. Today, the significance of the SCO is increasing amidst increasing global challenges. Thus, SCO; It serves member countries the opportunity for cooperation and interaction for sustainable development and peaceful coexistence.
[1] “Xi Calls for Building Common”, Xinhua, https://english.news.cn/20240704/cead20e060634c098d2303d41af91307/c.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 05.07.2024).
[2] “SCO Leaders Emphasize Strategic Dialogue and Economic Cooperation at Summit” The Astana Times https://astanatimes.com/2024/07/sco-leaders-emphasize-strategic-dialogue-and-economic-cooperation-at-summit/, (Access Date: 05.07.2024).
[3] “Belarus Joins SCO as 10th Member, Highlighting Block’s Growing Appeal”, Xinhua, https://english.news.cn/20240705/83b29781afb04c8e8b470dbd519efadf/c.html, (Access Date: 05.07.2024).
[4] Aynı Yer.
