Tashkent, 5 July 2023 (TDI): Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed members of states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during the meeting held on July 4, 2023.
President Mirziyoyev welcomed the participants at the start of the meeting and particularly appreciated the Indian Prime Minister for organizing the summit.
The President of Uzbekistan further notes the current progress which the organization has achieved through the practical implementation of the different adopted decisions.
Iran has recently joined the SCO, hence the Uzbek President also acknowledged the accession of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the organization.
In a similar vein, Mirziyoyev noted the commitments of Belarus to obtain the status of the SCO member-state.
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The Samarkand Solidarity Initiative for Common Security and Prosperity was launched in 2022 as an initiative to strengthen dialogue and trust among SCO member states. In this regard, President Mirziyoyev said a permanent platform for the initiative will be established.
Furthermore, he emphasized the need to adhere to the strict rules of the organization such as non-aligned status, a firm commitment to openness, equality, and consensus-based decision-making.
The President said the organization will attain success by strict adherence to its set rules. Additionally, “the member states’ cooperation is based on a mutual respect and a constructive perception of the different interests, positions, views and cultural differences,” says the Uzbekistan President.
Going further, Mirziyoyev asserts that there will be an inventory of the adopted decisions of the organization and an audit of the activities of institutions and cooperation mechanisms.
Meanwhile, a joint research project on the SCO development prospects as part of the Expert Forum, which would bring together national think tanks has been proposed.
The SCO accounts for approximately one-third of the global GDP by purchasing power parity, about 27 percent of foreign direct investments, and up to 20 percent of global trade.
Given the relevance of the organization in trade and investment especially in the SCO region, Mirziyoyev affirms the need to establish a common trade for increasing interregional trade and technological cooperation.
Conclusively, President Mirziyoyev congratulated Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for assuming the presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
