President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev participated in the meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO Member States

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the meeting of the Council of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The summit was held in the format of videoconference.

In his speech, the head of state thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his country's successful presidency of the SCO.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi on his country's acquiring the full-fledged status of the SCO member state, and also noted that the process of Belarus's accession to the organization was nearing completion.

- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization rightfully enjoys high international prestige and is a successful multilateral association. Encompassing nearly half the world's population, the SCO is a unique Eurasian organization with a broad agenda. Our states account for a quarter of global GDP and more than 15% of global trade. I am sure that with its considerable political influence, substantial economic opportunities and enormous human resources, the SCO can make a significant contribution to achieving the goals of sustainable development and overcoming modern challenges of mankind. In the context of a cardinal transformation of the global world order, we are witnessing an unprecedented increase in geopolitical tensions, intensification of trade and sanctions wars, and many other contemporary challenges. It is becoming commonplace to undermine the foundations of international law and its important principle of equal, co-operative, indivisible, comprehensive and sustainable security. In this regard, we must remain committed to a more representative, democratic and multipolar world, with a central and coordinating role for the United Nations," the leader of Kazakhstan stressed.

The President noted that as the originator of the SCO, Kazakhstan, during its upcoming presidency of this authoritative organization, will continue to enhance its global role by promoting friendship and good neighborliness in the SCO region. The head of state presented the priorities, which will be of strategic importance to all member states of the Organization.

- The first. Ensuring security and stability in the SCO region. In establishing the Organization, we agreed to jointly search for solutions to problems that will arise in the 21st century. At this stage the main task of our countries must be to prevent the geopolitical rupture between East and West. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization can and must offer the world community its vision of a sustainable world. Therefore, as part of its presidency, Kazakhstan will present an initiative entitled "On World Unity for a Just Peace and Accord". This comprehensive document will incorporate the principles of strengthening confidence-building measures and maintaining stability and security. I am convinced that it is in our common interests to promote this initiative together. The fight against the "three forces of evil", transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and cybercrime will also remain the focus of our presidency," said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

He says efforts should be made to update the Program of Cooperation in Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism for 2025-2027. In addition, Kazakhstan proposes adopting the SCO Anti-Drug Strategy for 2024-2029 and an action program for its implementation. Special attention should be paid to overcoming the crisis in Afghanistan. Kazakhstan once again proposes to pay due attention to the initiative of establishing a UN Regional Center on Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.

The President named the expansion of trade and economic ties as the second priority. According to him, the advantages of the SCO are the geographic connectivity of the states, the transit and transport possibilities, the huge market and the complementarity of the economies.

- In spite of this, it must be admitted that not a single major economic project has been implemented under the auspices of the SCO in more than 20 years. An obvious factor is the lack of mechanisms of financial support for project activities. That is why I propose to instruct the Council of Heads of Government to consider the possibility of establishing a joint Investment Fund and make proposals for this important project. An effective platform for stimulating direct and portfolio investments in regional SCO projects could be the Astana International Financial Centre, which has incorporated the best experience of global financial institutions. In our opinion, the economic agenda of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization should be focused on such tasks as the creation of favorable conditions for increasing mutual trade turnover, removing existing trade barriers and launching joint ventures. With joint efforts we could start creating a base of "SCO economic preferences" in order to increase the investment attractiveness of our Organization," said our head of state.

Speaking about the prospects for effective use of transit-transport opportunities, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev drew attention to the strategic importance of creating a modern transport infrastructure and new competitive routes. As a practical measure, he proposed the creation of a partnership network of major strategic ports and logistics centers.

The leader of Kazakhstan believes that strengthening of energy cooperation and establishing systemic interaction in this area are of particular importance today. He pointed to the need to coordinate work on energy balance and coordinated actions aimed at energy transition, decarbonization of the economy and industry.

- I propose that the SCO Energy Strategy be agreed upon by the next Astana Summit. The adoption of this document will contribute to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda. Given the exceptional importance of this issue, we are ready to hold an SCO Energy Forum in Kazakhstan. A comprehensive discussion of the prospects for cooperation in this industry will allow us to develop consolidated approaches to ensure energy security and balanced development of our countries," said the President.

Expansion of cooperation in the digital sphere was named as another priority in the speech. According to the head of state, the problem of the "digital divide" between different countries and social groups remains acute.

- The gradual reduction of the digital divide should be a real priority for our Organization. India, during its presidency of the SCO, has done a great deal of work to promote cooperation in this area. The established ties should be preserved and strengthened by continuing to exchange best practices in this strategically important area. Last year Kazakhstan ranked 28th on the UN e-Government Development Index, the highest among SCO member states. Kazakhstan has created favorable conditions for a comprehensive digital transformation. IT solutions are systematically introduced into the system of public administration, developed banking ecosystems have emerged, the financial technology market is expanding, and e-commerce is gaining momentum. Kazakhstan offers its services as a Digital Hub in the SCO space. That is why I think it is important to hold the SCO Digital Forum in Astana in 2024, combining it with the first meeting of the Steering Committee of the Pool of Technoparks and Innovation Clusters," suggested Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

In his opinion, an important area of work is the strengthening of interaction in the field of ecology. The President of Kazakhstan noted that it is impossible to achieve sustainable economic growth and increase the well-being of society without advancing the environmental agenda.

- Unfortunately, we are witnessing a significant increase in various natural disasters: floods, droughts, fires, water and soil pollution. Under these circumstances, Kazakhstan aims to join efforts to solve environmental problems. We deem it advisable to focus on the following tasks: establish a partnership between the SCO and the UN Environment Program, draft an Agreement on cooperation on environmental protection, adopt a Cooperation Program for development of specially protected natural areas and ecotourism. I propose to promote all these activities under the auspices of the SCO Year of Ecology, which is enshrined in the Declaration we are adopting today," stressed the Head of State.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dwelt separately on the development of cultural and humanitarian ties. He believes that tourism is one of the most effective tools for bringing countries and peoples together. The SCO, covering 45% of the planet's population, is a huge tourist market, the potential of which has not yet been realized.

- Kazakhstan is taking comprehensive measures in this direction. Since last year we introduced a visa-free regime for citizens of India, Iran and China, which will contribute to the development of mutual tourism between our states. For the term of Kazakhstan's presidency in the SCO, I propose to proclaim the city of Almaty as a tourism and cultural capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The vast expanses of the SCO are the cradle of the Eurasian civilisation, and the unique "Shanghai spirit", symbolising the unity of cultures, is its priceless asset. It is important to consistently promote our common ideals and values in the world. For centuries, the Kazakh land has been a place of intersection of civilizations, the interpenetration of traditions and cultures. And today Kazakhstan is ready to fully support the preservation and promotion of our common rich spiritual heritage. In this regard we propose to launch the "Spiritual Sanctuaries of the SCO" project. In Kazakhstan, the Mausoleum of outstanding thinker Khoja Ahmed Yassaui is such a sacred place of global importance. We plan to hold a presentation of this majestic monument of medieval architecture in the sacred city of Turkestan at the SCO Conference 'The Golden Horde and Its Heritage'. I am confident that such a large-scale event will promote the establishment of closer humanitarian ties between our countries," the leader of Kazakhstan said.

At the same time, the President noted that today the SCO has steadily embarked on the path of renewal. In his words, all efforts should be focused on the implementation of existing agreements in the joint work to strengthen the capacity of the Organization.

- The SCO must continue to be associated with mutual understanding, cooperation for the long-term interests of our peoples. I believe it is time to adopt a new Development Strategy of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Kazakhstan has drafted this document and plans to present it during its upcoming presidency. The new strategy is designed to expand the SCO agenda in the most promising areas of our cooperation. Further improvement of SCO activities will be an important step to effectively respond to new challenges and adapt the SCO to contemporary realities. I propose to adopt, by the next Summit in Astana, the Concept of Strengthening SCO Potential with due account of Kazakhstan's proposals aimed at achieving this particular goal. Basing on the experience of other international organizations, I deem it important to establish a Council of Permanent Representatives to the SCO, vesting them with the required authority to fully represent the interests of our nations. We must have our own vision of a future just and harmonious world, confidently pursue the path of inclusive development and creative progress on the basis of mutual responsibility and solidarity. Accepting the baton of the presidency, we will continue to work actively and fruitfully with all states, regardless of their status in the Organization, for the further strengthening of security, peace and prosperity in the SCO," concluded Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

He invited the heads of SCO member states to attend the next summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which will be held in Astana next year.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also addressed the meeting, as well as UN Secretary-General António Guterres, heads of observer states President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran, President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh of Mongolia and guest of honor President Serdar Berdymukhamedov of Turkmenistan.

The meeting resulted in the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration and a number of documents.