Address by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Distinguished Sadyr Nurgozhoevich!

Distinguished Heads of Delegations!

I express my sincere gratitude to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, distinguished Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov, for the warm welcome and excellent organization of the Summit.

I cordially congratulate the brotherly Kyrgyz people on the 35th anniversary of state sovereignty.

We are pleased to see the impressive dynamics of Kyrgyzstan’s development and the consistent strengthening of its standing in the international arena.

I thank everyone for the kind wishes on the occasion of the celebration of the Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

I join in the congratulations addressed to distinguished Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev on the occasion of the opening of the first session of the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Distinguished Participants of the Meeting!

We highly appreciate the fruitful outcomes of Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and support the agenda and draft decisions of today’s meeting.

The current Summit is taking place in the year marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

I fully agree with my colleagues’ assessments that over the past quarter of a century this platform has demonstrated its relevance and effectiveness.

Guided by the principles of the “Shanghai Spirit”, the Organization has ensured an equitable dialogue and contributed to regional stability and the sustainable development of our countries.

From the very first days of the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Uzbekistan has consistently supported its strengthening as an open, non-aligned and peace-loving platform for cooperation.

We particularly value the fact that Central Asia – the geographical and strategic core of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization – remains at the heart of our cooperation.

Distinguished Colleagues!

Our meeting is taking place in an era of geopolitical fragmentation, a growing deficit of trust, escalating conflicts and the erosion of international law.

The developments in the Middle East are of particular concern.

We firmly advocate the resumption of dialogue and de-escalation in the region.

Distinguished Heads of Delegations!

I would like to turn to the most pressing tasks facing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Today, it is important not only to effectively address emerging challenges, but also to have a clear understanding of what we want the Organization to become in the long term.

The competitiveness of our states will directly depend on our readiness to combine our potential and create new opportunities for joint development.

I am convinced that the enormous human, natural, industrial and intellectual resources of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries should serve, first and foremost, to enhance the well-being of our peoples.

In this regard, I propose that we begin developing a conceptual vision entitled “Shanghai Cooperation Organization – 2040: A Space for Common Development.”

Its main objective should be to create an interconnected and sustainable space, where investments, technologies and knowledge can be freely exchanged, major infrastructure and industrial projects can be implemented, and direct ties among regions, businesses and people can be expanded.

The economic dimension is an important priority and the principal indicator of the effectiveness of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

In recent years, the geography and areas of our business cooperation have been steadily expanding.

More than one and a half thousand joint projects with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries are being implemented in Uzbekistan, while the volumes of mutual trade and investment are increasing.

It is necessary to channel this momentum into the development of sustainable multilateral value chains.

To this end, we propose developing a Shanghai Cooperation Organization Industrial Cooperation Map, which will bring together special economic zones, production processes, sales markets and logistics.

In effect, this will create a universal digital window for businesses, investors and government agencies.

We consider it necessary to move now from agreeing on general principles to the practical launch of the SCO Development Bank.

The work of this institution should be based on mature investment proposals of region-wide significance.

The Council of Heads of Government should begin selecting a portfolio of priority projects in the areas of transport, energy, industrial cooperation and digital infrastructure.

We welcome the initiative of the President of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Xi Jinping, to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization.

I believe that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization should be among the first partners of this new technological Alliance.

In order to combine our efforts in the development of artificial intelligence, we also propose adopting a decision on the establishment of a SCO Open Multilingual Data Corpus.

In addition, we are ready to host the SCO Forum on Artificial Intelligence and New Digital Solutions in Tashkent next year.

Dear Friends!

Climate challenges are increasingly affecting the food, water and energy security of our countries.

The current situation calls for the formation, within the SCO, of a common agenda on these closely interconnected issues.

To advance this agenda, we propose establishing a specialized SCO mechanism that will coordinate comprehensive programs, the exchange of technologies and advanced knowledge.

One of the steps in this direction could be the development of a SCO Program for Technological Cooperation in Water and Energy Efficiency until 2035.

It is critically important to continue developing an extensive system of international transport corridors.

I consider it expedient to establish a Council for the Integration of the Railway Networks of the SCO Member States. We see its priority task as coordinating the development of logistics infrastructure and ensuring the seamless integration of national transport systems.

Preserving peace and stability in Afghanistan is of fundamental importance for the security and development of our region.

We all need a prosperous neighboring country integrated into constructive regional processes.

The time has come to resume regular dialogue between the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Afghanistan to discuss a broad range of issues related to security and economic cooperation.

I am convinced that today’s adoption of the Protocol on Amendments and Additions to the SCO Charter, as well as the Regulations on the Universal Centre and the Anti-Drug Centre, marks the beginning of a new stage in the institutional development of our Organization.

I assure you that we will create all the necessary conditions for the effective functioning of the Universal Centre for Countering Security Challenges and Threats in Tashkent.

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation remains our unwavering priority.

In support of further strengthening the bonds of friendship among our peoples, I propose preparing a Program of Cooperation for the Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Art and Intangible Cultural Heritage for 2028–2030.

Distinguished Heads of Delegations!

In conclusion, I would like to join in the congratulations addressed to distinguished Mr. Shehbaz Sharif on the assumption by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan of the responsible mission of chairing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Uzbekistan stands ready to continue contributing to strengthening the spirit of mutual respect, good-neighborliness and trust – for the sake of stability and prosperity throughout our vast region.