MINSK, 28 October (BelTA) – The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) advocates for respecting the right of peoples to choose their development paths, SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev said at the 3rd Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security on 28 October, BelTA has learned.
“Exchanging views on building an equal and indivisible security architecture in Eurasia and shaping a multipolar and fair world order harmoniously complements the SCO's ongoing efforts to strengthen peace and stability in the region. We live in an era of profound historical change. On one hand, new prospects are opening up for the development of states and for cooperation. On the other hand, the established international security system is being dismantled, geopolitical and geo-economic confrontation is intensifying, as is an arms race, the level of mutual distrust is rising, and existing conflicts and crises are worsening while new ones are emerging,” Nurlan Yermekbayev said.
He pointed out that under these conditions, the SCO consistently stands for respecting the right of peoples to an independent, democratic choice of their political, social and economic development paths. It adheres to a line that excludes confrontation and advocates for cooperation, not for being against any specific countries or international organizations. “An unwavering principle for the SCO remains the multilateral approach based on the universally recognized norms and principles of international law, with the United Nations playing a coordinating role. By promoting a philosophy of joint creation, mutually beneficial cooperation, non-alignment, and not being directed against other states and international associations, the organization is making its contribution to building a new type of international relations,” the SCO secretary general emphasized.
According to him, the organization's recent summit in Tianjin was not only the culmination of China's chairmanship but was also distinguished by its scale, productivity, and practical focus. “A practical step forward has been taken in the security sector, with the launch of the process to create several specialized bodies,” Nurlan Yermekbayev said. “The leaders acknowledged a proposal to prepare for the signing of an agreement among member states on confidence-building measures in the military field. In the economic sector, besides agreements in the fields of digital and green development, artificial intelligence, energy, and logistics, interested states have decided to establish an SCO Development Bank and to intensify consultations on its functioning.”
“The SCO has become an important platform for proposing and advancing various initiatives. For example, on the initiative of Belarus and Russia, member states are considering the conceptual idea of developing a Eurasian Charter for Diversity and Multipolarity, which could become the basis for forming an architecture of equal and indivisible security across the entire continent. The member states of the organization are calling on the international community to join the SCO initiative for global unity for a just peace, harmony, and development, which was adopted last year in Astana,” the SCO secretary general said.
Building on what has been achieved, the SCO is proceeding to the next stage of its progressive development. “In today's conditions, opportunities are opening up for all of us to play a more constructive role in reforming the system of global governance. It is important to fully utilize the vast resources of the world's largest trans-regional organization to protect the common interests of the Global South. I am confident that the SCO, as part of the gradually emerging network of partner organizations in Eurasia, can serve as a solid pillar for the emerging multipolar world order, as well as for the creation of an effective global and regional security system,” Nurlan Yermekbayev emphasized.
He also added that the SCO is ready to further expand and deepen cooperation with friendly nations and multilateral institutions with the goal of building a peaceful, secure, and prosperous planet Earth.
The 3rd Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security is taking place on 28-29 October. The event is held under the auspices of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The conference has brought together delegations from over 40 countries and seven international organizations. Among the participants are ministers of foreign affairs, heads of integration associations, and representatives of parliaments, research institutes, and think tanks from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
“Exchanging views on building an equal and indivisible security architecture in Eurasia and shaping a multipolar and fair world order harmoniously complements the SCO's ongoing efforts to strengthen peace and stability in the region. We live in an era of profound historical change. On one hand, new prospects are opening up for the development of states and for cooperation. On the other hand, the established international security system is being dismantled, geopolitical and geo-economic confrontation is intensifying, as is an arms race, the level of mutual distrust is rising, and existing conflicts and crises are worsening while new ones are emerging,” Nurlan Yermekbayev said.
According to him, the organization's recent summit in Tianjin was not only the culmination of China's chairmanship but was also distinguished by its scale, productivity, and practical focus. “A practical step forward has been taken in the security sector, with the launch of the process to create several specialized bodies,” Nurlan Yermekbayev said. “The leaders acknowledged a proposal to prepare for the signing of an agreement among member states on confidence-building measures in the military field. In the economic sector, besides agreements in the fields of digital and green development, artificial intelligence, energy, and logistics, interested states have decided to establish an SCO Development Bank and to intensify consultations on its functioning.”
“The SCO has become an important platform for proposing and advancing various initiatives. For example, on the initiative of Belarus and Russia, member states are considering the conceptual idea of developing a Eurasian Charter for Diversity and Multipolarity, which could become the basis for forming an architecture of equal and indivisible security across the entire continent. The member states of the organization are calling on the international community to join the SCO initiative for global unity for a just peace, harmony, and development, which was adopted last year in Astana,” the SCO secretary general said.
Building on what has been achieved, the SCO is proceeding to the next stage of its progressive development. “In today's conditions, opportunities are opening up for all of us to play a more constructive role in reforming the system of global governance. It is important to fully utilize the vast resources of the world's largest trans-regional organization to protect the common interests of the Global South. I am confident that the SCO, as part of the gradually emerging network of partner organizations in Eurasia, can serve as a solid pillar for the emerging multipolar world order, as well as for the creation of an effective global and regional security system,” Nurlan Yermekbayev emphasized.
He also added that the SCO is ready to further expand and deepen cooperation with friendly nations and multilateral institutions with the goal of building a peaceful, secure, and prosperous planet Earth.
The 3rd Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security is taking place on 28-29 October. The event is held under the auspices of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The conference has brought together delegations from over 40 countries and seven international organizations. Among the participants are ministers of foreign affairs, heads of integration associations, and representatives of parliaments, research institutes, and think tanks from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
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