SCO stresses inclusive economic growth, mutually beneficial region

KABUL (Pajhwok) Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) have stressed the creation SCO region a space of broad, open, mutually beneficial and equal interaction in accordance with the norms of international law, mutual respect and consideration of national interests.

A joint communique of the 23rd meeting of the council of heads of government of member states of the SCO advocated the promotion of cooperation within the framework of the SCO Year of Sustainable Development, considered it important to pursue sustainable and inclusive economic growth of Member States by optimizing the region's potential in areas such as green development, digital economy, trade, e-commerce, finance and banking, investment, high technology, start-ups and innovation, poverty alleviation, health care, including traditional and folk medicine, agriculture, industry, transport, logistics connectivity, energy, including renewable energy, communications, science and technology, environment and climate change.

The heads of delegations, reaffirming their desire to ensure stable economic and social development in the SCO region, noted the importance of implementing the SCO Economic Development Strategy for the period up to 2030 and the Program of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation of the SCO member states.

They stressed the need for coordinated efforts through the mechanisms of relevant cooperation in order to implement the respective action plans.

The heads of delegations noted the results of the Meeting of SCO Ministers responsible for foreign economic and foreign trade activities (Islamabad, 12 September 2024) and instructed to ensure the implementation of the Concept for the Establishment of the Base of Economic Preferences of the SCO Member States, the Concept of Cooperation between Trade Promotion Organizations of the SCO Member States and the Framework for Cooperation of the SCO Member States in the Development of Creative Economy.

The heads of delegations, noting the presence of significant potential and opportunities for further building up trade and economic ties, stressed the importance of implementing the Concept of Cooperation in the Development of the "New Economic Dialogue" between the SCO member states.

The heads of delegations believe it is necessary to effectively utilize the digital economy and scientific and technological innovations in order to give a new impetus to economic development and progress in the SCO space, as well as to enhance the competitiveness of the region's economy and potential. They emphasized that technology should benefit everyone.

The Heads of delegations stressed the importance of deepening cooperation in the field of information security, the relevance of the "digital divide" issue and advocated for exploring the creation of a mechanism for cross-border data exchange, taking into account the national legislations of countries, the introduction of digital technologies in the economic and social spheres, the development of e-government, electronic payment systems, e-commerce and other areas of digital business.

They noted the adoption by interested Member states of the Concept for the Development of Digital Public Infrastructure for the Dissemination of Digital Technologies among the Population (Digital Inclusion) and the Promotion of Innovation (New Delhi, May 13, 2023).

The heads of delegations emphasized the importance of regular meetings of the Special Working Group on Electronic Commerce and noted the proposal to convene the next meeting in China in the first quarter of 2025 and to develop a draft Program of Cooperation of the SCO Member States in the field of electronic commerce.

The Heads of Delegation noted the role of standardization tools in trade facilitation and called for the promotion of mutually beneficial and equal interaction between the SCO Member States, as well as the exchange of experience in these areas.

The Heads of Delegation noted the positive dynamics in the development of customs cooperation, in particular on projects aimed at simplifying, securing and strengthening logistics chains in the SCO space, improving customs control and suppressing smuggling channels.

Recognizing the importance of the work of the Meeting of Industry Ministers of the SCO Member States, the heads of delegations noted the proposals to hold the next meeting in 2025. They believe that support for creative industries will stimulate the competitiveness of economies and industrialization, which will lead to the expansion of labour markets, including for the benefit of youth, a reduction in unemployment, and sustainable growth in the SCO member states.

nh