On the Chairmanship of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

The Republic of Kazakhstan chairs the Shanghai Cooperation Organization from July 5, 2023 to June 2024.

During the chairmanship, Kazakhstan intends to focus the joint efforts of the Member States on the following areas:

- improvement of the SCO and its transformation into an even more effective platform;

- strengthening the capacity to ensure security and stability in the SCO space;

- deepening ties in the field of economy and trade;

- deepening cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere;

- expansion of the SCO and development of its international relations.

On July 4, 2023, at the SCO Summit, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.Tokayev outlined the specific priorities of the chairmanship.

I. Strengthening the SCO's potential

Work has begun on reforming the Organization and optimizing its activities in key areas.

One of the important steps on this path is the adoption at the SCO Summit in June 2024 in Kazakhstan of the SCO Development Strategy until 2035 and the Concept of Improving the SCO activities. The documents are aimed at deepening practical cooperation, including the algorithm of progressive reform of the SCO.

II. Strengthening cooperation in the field of security and stability

Issues of regional security and mutual trust are among the main topics on the Organization's agenda. Taking into account the current trends in world politics and economy, Kazakhstan proposes to update the SCO's approaches to modern challenges and threats.

In this aspect, Kazakhstan proposes to jointly promote the SCO common Initiative "on world unity for just peace and harmony". The comprehensive document contains principles for strengthening confidence-building measures, maintaining stability and security in the region.

Great importance will be given to the formation of an updated Program of cooperation of the SCO member states on countering terrorism, separatism and extremism for 2025-2027.

It is necessary to adopt an updated Anti-Drug Strategy and an Action Program for its implementation. In practical terms, it is proposed to continue the practice of holding SCO international actions "For a World without Drugs" and Operation "Web" with the involvement of observer states and SCO dialogue partners.

III. Expansion of trade and economic ties

The ongoing global economic crisis and its consequences require the SCO to strengthen regional trade and economic ties and open up opportunities for developing a new economic agenda.

The efforts of the member states will be aimed at the effective implementation of the SCO Economic Development Strategy until 2030.

An initiative has been put forward to create the SCO Investment Fund. We consider it as a promising practical step in terms of strengthening investment synergy in the SCO.

The priority of the Kazakh chairmanship is also energy issues. We attach great importance to the coordination of efforts in ensuring the energy transition, decarbonization of the economy and industry through the adoption of the SCO Energy Strategy. In this context, the results of the SCO Energy Forum on October 3-4, 2023 in Astana may be promising.

Given the considerable transport potential of the SCO countries, it is important to ensure the interconnectedness of rail, road, sea and air routes. In this context, Kazakhstan invited the countries to form a Partner network of large strategic ports and logistics centers.

In order to increase cooperation in reducing digital inequality, expanding the financial technology market, promoting e-commerce and developing the banking ecosystem, Kazakhstan is holding the SCO Digital Forum in 2024.

IV. Deepening cultural and humanitarian cooperation

The cultural and humanitarian dimension is one of the most dynamically developing areas of interaction within the SCO.

Much attention will be paid to the implementation of the SCO Spiritual Shrines project and the organization of the SCO International Scientific and Practical Conference on: "The Golden Horde and its Legacy" in Turkestan with the participation of leading experts, scientists of the member states.

In order to effectively combat climate change, improve food security, water supply, and biodiversity conservation, 2024 was declared the Year of Ecology on the initiative of Kazakhstan.

It is expected to adopt an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of environmental protection, a program of cooperation in the development of specially protected natural areas and eco-tourism, a Memorandum of understanding between the SCO Secretariat and UNEP.

For the entire period of its chairmanship, the city of Almaty has been declared the tourist and cultural capital of the SCO. A plan of relevant events has been developed and adopted with the participation of well-known figures of culture and art, sports and science of the SCO member states.

V. Expansion of the SCO and further development of its international relations

Work will continue on further deepening and expanding the SCO's international relations with multilateral structures, observers and SCO dialogue partners.

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Kazakhstan, as Chairman of the SCO, will make every effort to modernize the Organization and further transform it into a more effective multilateral platform in order to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and traditional ties of friendship between the SCO member states.