A forum on governance and leadership within the SCO framework kicks off in Beijing on July 27 (COURTESY PHOTO)

Since its establishment 20 years ago, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has proved itself an incomparable regional system and the irreplaceable position in settling international problems, said Azizi Abdujabbor Abdukahhor, First Deputy Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan, when addressing a forum in Beijing on July 27.  

Security of the SCO region is a promise of the region’s development. All SCO countries should continue to forge synergy in dealing with issues such as the spread of extremism, terrorism, and drug trafficking, Abdukahhor said at a forum on governance and leadership within the SCO framework. 

Le Yucheng, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, said the SCO has provided strong support for regional security governance. Facing different new challenges, such as Afghan’s disorder after the U.S. pullout, the SCO will bear more responsibilities. 

Established in 2001, the SCO originally comprised China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. After India and Pakistan joined in June 2017, it became the largest regional organization in the world in terms of geographical coverage and population. Currently, it also has four observer states and six dialogue partners.  

Chen Xi, President of China's National Academy of Governance addresses  a forum on governance and leadership within the SCO framework via video link on July 27 (COURTESY PHOTO) 

Chen Xi, President of China’s National Academy of Governance, said at the forum that the SCO has established a new system of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation. 

The SCO countries have also shared their experiences of governance. Almazbek Akmataliev, President of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, said at the forum via video link that within the SCO framework, and with the help of Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, the country is learning from China’s achievements.  

China has eradicated extreme poverty and has built a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Moreover, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce, China invested nearly $85 billion in other member states of the SCO, with the total value of projects contracted by the country reaching almost $280 billion by the end of September 2020. 

Akmataliev also called for the creation of a platform to communicate the experiences of governance within the SCO countries. 

Du Zhanyuan, President of China International Publishing Group, addresses a forum on governance and leadership within the SCO framework in Beijing on July 27 (COURTESY PHOTO) 

Du Zhanyuan, President of China International Publishing Group (CIPG), stressed the role the media play in promoting SCO experiences at the forum. It is up to the media to promote communication within the SCO framework, present the most solid of SCO stories and illustrate the Shanghai Spirit to the world, and to create better international communication environment for the SCO, Du said. 

CIPG, too, provides support for the development of the SCO, Du added. 

The National Academy of Governance of China is willing to collaborate with the academies of governance in other SCO countries to create a closer SCO community with a shared future, Chen said. 

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon 

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