Astana, Jul 4 (EFE).- Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev advocated on Thursday for transforming the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) into the guarantor of security in Eurasia as he reviewed the summit hosted in Astana and Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the SCO over the year.
According to Tokayev, the SCO, now comprising ten countries following Belarus’s accession on Thursday, “has unique opportunities to be the guarantor of peace and security across the entire Eurasian continent.”
In this regard, Kazakhstan’s proposed implementation of its initiative, World Unity for Just Peace, Harmony, and Development, received unanimous support from SCO member states.
Also under Kazakhstan’s chairmanship, Tokayev noted the “positive dynamics” of transactions in national currencies, among other economic measures
“Due to all these measures, trade and economic cooperation in the SCO space develops dynamically,” Tokayev said.
During his summary of his country’s chairmanship, Tokayev thanked the participating countries for supporting Kazakh initiatives and their fruitful collaboration, highlighting the hosting of over 100 large-scale events, including digital, tourism, and energy forums.
SCO joint declaration
The leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries noted Thursday in their joint declaration the emergence of a “fairer and multipolar world order.”
“Tectonic changes are occurring in global politics, the economy, and other areas of international relations. A fairer and multipolar world order is emerging…” the document reads.
At the same time, the declaration warns that the use of force is intensifying and international law is systematically violated. Geopolitical confrontations and conflicts are increasing, and risks to stability in the world and the SCO region are multiplying.
The SCO, established in 2001, currently includes Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Belarus became the tenth member of the SCO Thursday, following Iran, which joined the organization last July. EFE