PM Shehbaz calls for ‘well-connected region’ at SCO meeting in Islamabad
Published by
Kashif Zia
2 years ago
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called upon the SCO members to work together for a well-connected, integrated, and prosperous region in his opening address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.
He highlighted the importance of the “establishment of a robust SCO connectivity framework” which should not merely boost regional trade but also advance the vision of connected Euro-Asia.
This high-profile 23rd meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of SCO, chaired by PM Shehbaz, marks a significant milestone for Pakistan as the host nation.
Among the attendees are Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, Tajik PM Kohir Rasulzoda, Uzbek PM Abdulla Aripov, Kyrgyzstan’s Chairman of Ministers’ Cabinet Zhaparov Akylbek, Trade Minister of Iran Seyyed Mohammad Atabek.
India is represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while Mongolia is participating as an observer, represented by its Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, and Turkmenistan as a Special Guest represented by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Rashid Meredov.
Earlier, the premier warmly welcomed leaders from various member states, followed by a group photo session.
Heads of delegations of the 23rd meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government gathered at the Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad on October 16, 2024 — PID
‘SCO, A beacon of multilateralism’
The prime minister in his opening remarks, welcomed the delegates, saying “Welcome to Islamabad”. “It gives me immense pleasure to welcome our distinguished guests to Islamabad, the green and beautiful capital of Pakistan,” the premier said while addressing the meeting.
“From the esteemed platform of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a beacon of multilateralism, I stand in the belief that we possess not only the potential but the will to forge a future that is more prosperous and secure for our people,” he added.
The PM said the summit manifested the collective voice and wishes of over 40 percent of the world’s population. “The presence of the SCO leaders also evidenced their collective spirit of promoting cooperation, sustainable development, and regional prosperity,” he said.
The primer emphasized that projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the International North-South Transport Corridor should be expanded focusing on developing road, rail, and digital infrastructure.
The premier underscored that Pakistan supports all SCO connectivity initiatives. He welcomed the decisions to ensure and endorse the strategy for developing energy cooperation 2030 and establishing the ‘Association of Investors.
The PM also called for a stable Afghanistan for regional stability and urged the international community to step forward with urgent humanitarian support for Afghanistan. “A stable Afghanistan is not only desirable but essential to fully realising these great opportunities.”
He also called upon the Afghan interim government to ensure that their soil is not misused for terrorism against its neighbors by any entity.
Agendas of this year’s summit
The SCO National Coordinators have finalised the agenda for the summit and eight to ten documents will be approved during the meeting related to economic cooperation, trade promotion, and development prospects between member nations.
The formal joint declaration will also be issued at the end of the summit which is expected to mention enhancing cooperation on climate change and natural disasters. The joint statement will also cover e-commerce, digital collaboration, trade, and transit issues.
The summit’s agenda encompasses critical topics aimed at addressing regional and global challenges including:
Counterterrorism: Member states will prioritize enhancing security cooperation to combat terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism. The initiatives will focus on isolating countries that harbour terrorists.
Climate Change and Environmental Protection: Climate change and environmental protection will be pivotal topics of discussion. Member states will address the urgent need to promote climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable practices to safeguard the planet for future generations.
Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue: The summit’s overarching theme, “Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue—Striving Towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity,” reflects the collective intent of member states to foster cooperation and promote peace through open dialogue and collaborative efforts.
Economic Cooperation: Leaders will engage in deliberations regarding trade and investment initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration among member states.
Regional Stability and Security: Discussions will revolve around enhancing stability, addressing ongoing conflicts, and promoting a multipolar world order. The summit will also review the SCO’s activities over the past two decades, laying the groundwork for strategic cooperation in the years to come.