Dushanbe (TDI): An international conference titled “Central Asia — The Core of the SCO: A Space for Peace and Joint Development” was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on Friday, bringing together representatives from member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), international bodies, and academic experts to discuss regional security and cooperation.
The forum focused on strengthening multilateral ties, promoting sustainable development, and enhancing regional stability across the SCO region.
In a video address to participants, SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev said Central Asia remains central to aligning the interests of member states and continues to play a key role in the organisation’s long-term strategy.
He recalled that in 2021, during the SCO’s 20th anniversary summit in Dushanbe, leaders formally described Central Asia as the “core of the SCO,” underlining its strategic importance within the grouping.
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Yermekbayev noted that over the past 25 years, the SCO has grown into one of the world’s largest regional organisations, covering a significant portion of global territory and population. He said Central Asian states continue to contribute actively across all major areas of cooperation, including security, economic development, and connectivity.
He further expressed confidence that the region would remain a space of development and prosperity, adding that the upcoming SCO summit in Bishkek is expected to give new momentum to ongoing reforms and collective initiatives within the organisation.
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Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin also addressed the conference, describing the SCO as a mature and influential international organisation on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.
The discussions in Dushanbe highlighted the growing emphasis on Central Asia’s strategic role within the SCO framework and its importance in shaping future regional cooperation.
