04 July 2025, 13:52

SCO transport ministries sign memorandum of understanding

Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Belarus

MINSK, 4 July (BelTA) – A delegation of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Belarus headed by Minister Aleksei Lyakhnovich took part in the 12th Meeting of SCO Transport Ministers in China where a memorandum of understanding was signed, BelTA learned from the press service of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Belarus.

The meeting was chaired by Chinese Minister of Transport Liu Wei. The event was also attended by representatives of the transport ministries of Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The delegates focused on enhancing sustainable transport cooperation within the SCO.

The participants decided to expand cooperation in the field of automobile, rail and water transport, to develop transportation, including multimodal and container transport, to improve the infrastructure of international transport corridors, and to enhance supply chain resilience. Following the meeting, a memorandum of understanding was adopted by the transport ministries of the SCO member states. The document envisages collaborative effort to improve road and roadside services along the Silk Road.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Belarus, the document seeks to increase the efficiency of international road transportation, promote regional economic integration, facilitate cargo transportation, and create favorable conditions for vehicles and crews traveling along the Silk Road. “Efficient use of transport infrastructure is one of the main areas of interaction between countries within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” said Aleksei Lyakhnovich.

During the meeting, the minister voiced Belarus’ proposals on improving inter-connectivity and creating effective transport corridors. Among them are coordinated policies in improving transport infrastructure, joint efforts to build the security system of infrastructure facilities, and further development of the simplified customs corridor project (development of uniform standards for customs procedures). “To achieve the best outcomes, countries located along the route should also be involved. This will increase transportation efficiency and add momentum to the economies of the states,” added Aleksei Lyakhnovich.

Currently, Belarus is a participant in a number of SCO initiatives in the field of automobile and rail transport and logistics.

The delegation of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Belarus also took part in the Senior Officials' Meeting of the Global Sustainable Transport Forum in the Chinese city of Tianjin. The forum participants from 20 countries discussed the framework for global cooperation on sustainable transport development. In particular, they examined initiatives to develop and introduce the Sustainable Transport Index (STI), as well as to compile annual reports on best practices in sustainable transport.