On 17 April 2018, Russia chaired a meeting of a permanent working group on scientific and technological cooperation of the SCO member states in Moscow.
Experts exchanged opinions on fulfilling an action plan to implement the agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between the SCO member states in 2016-2020, formulating mechanisms to support and coordinate multilateral scientific and technological cooperation between the SCO member states.
In the future, members of the permanent working group on scientific and technological cooperation will focus on expanded scientific and technological cooperation in various high-priority fields of mutual interest, including nature-conservation technology, energy efficiency and energy-saving technology, innovative agricultural knowhow, including the food-sector.
Experts exchanged opinions on the draft plan of practical measures (Road Map) stipulating cooperation between research and development agencies of the SCO member states in 2018-2019. They also reviewed the preparations being carried out for a meeting of the heads of science and technological ministries and agencies of the SCO member states, scheduled for 18 April 2018 in the capital of the Russian Federation.
The permanent working group on scientific and technological cooperation was established on 14 May 2010 as part of the meeting of heads of science and technological ministries and agencies of the SCO member states. The group's members draft proposals to expand multilateral scientific and technological cooperation within the SCO as well as to streamline the contractual and legal framework.