SAMARKAND, 16 September (BelTA) - There are all the prerequisites for the SCO to turn into the most effective regional organization, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said as he opened the meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council in Samarkand, BelTA has learned.
"We must rally our ranks closer and show determination in joint efforts to ensure security, sustainable development and prosperity in our vast region. Today, there are all the prerequisites for the SCO to turn into the most effective regional organization that can have a serious impact on global processes. Together we are able to demonstrate to the whole world how to solve the most difficult tasks relying on mutual respect, mutually beneficial cooperation and the capabilities of partners. If we strive for peace and prosperity, we need to do everything to understand and respect each other, to cooperate and develop together," the Uzbekistan president said.
He stressed that in a historically short period, the SCO has become an influential participant in regional and global processes. "In fact, the SCO was ahead of its time. Over the years, we have been strengthening regional cooperation, which is now becoming a defining trend around the world. The stabilizing role of the organization as an important factor of security and economic growth is growing stronger. The total volume of economies of the SCO member states has increased tenfold since the founding of the SCO and continues to grow steadily. This process is also accelerating due to the shift of the centers of global development," Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated.
At the same time, the challenges and threats to countries are becoming increasingly pressing and difficult to predict, he said. There are dramatic changes at the global level; there is a serious deficit of mutual trust. Traditional security risks are increasing and new ones are emerging. Thus, modern information technologies are often used as a tool for the spread of terrorism, extremism and separatism. In the face of instability in the global market and the disruption of global supply chains, food and energy security challenges have reached unprecedented proportions. Global inequality is deepening. This is especially evident in terms of economic and technological development. The effects of climate change and the scarcity of natural and water resources are becoming increasingly felt.
"All this complicates the recovery of the global economy after the pandemic shock. It is obvious that only together we can overcome these challenges of our time," the leader of Uzbekistan is sure.
Belarus has an observer status in the SCO. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko is attending the extended-participation meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council. In his speech the head of state Aleksandr Lukashenko will take part in an extended-participation meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council. The president will outline Belarus' priorities for cooperation in the SCO, including taking into account the country's bid to accede the organization as a full member. Topical international issues will be also on the agenda of the summit.
