On 19 September 2019, Nur-Sultan hosted the second meeting of SCO railway administration heads. A delegation from the Republic of Belarus, an SCO observer state, took part in the event together with the heads of railway administrations from SCO member states.
SCO Deputy Secretary-General Sherali Jonon headed the SCO Secretariat delegation.
SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov sent greetings to those attending the meeting. The message pointed out that the second meeting is the result of the consistent work by SCO member states to establish a modern system of transport routes in the SCO region where the railway infrastructure fulfils a key function of ensuring transport accessibility and connectivity between regional countries.
It was noted that the SCO member states agree that it is extremely important to strengthen multilateral cooperation in the transport sector, including railways, because streamlined international collaboration in this field facilitates the development of all economic cooperation sectors, regions, enterprises and companies of the SCO member states.
"The cost-effective use of transit capabilities of the vast Eurasian region through the elimination of various barriers and also by forging the required institutional foundation for combining infrastructure projects of the SCO member states will, doubtless, facilitate economic and social progress of our countries and nations," Mr Norov said.
The Secretary-General expressed confidence that overall consistent and purposeful work of the SCO member states to strengthen transport and infrastructure collaboration, as well as the practical implementation of the tremendous potential of SCO member states in the railway transport sector will allow every SCO country to obtain sustained long-term economic and social dividends.
Opinions were exchanged by those present at the event on topical matters regarding the cost-effective use of the transit potential of the SCO member states and its long-term development, measures to boost the quality of passenger train traffic, as well as information on infrastructure projects that will facilitate the efficient use of the transit potential of SCO member states' railways and its long-term development.
The participants in the meeting approved a draft concept of collaboration between railway administrations (railways) of the SCO member states and decided to submit the draft document to a regular meeting of the SCO Heads of Government Council (HGC).
They also approved the regulations on the working group and the plan of work of the mMeeting of SCO railway administration heads for 2020-2022. It was noted by those present that the joint implementation of the plan of work would help create favourable conditions for boosting the competitiveness of the SCO region's railway transport, for expanding the transit potential of transport corridors stretching via SCO member states, as well as modernising the infrastructure and its comprehensive interdependence and connectivity. The sides agreed to hold the third meeting of SCO railway administration heads in 2020 in Russia.
The meeting of SCO railway administration heads is a new mechanism within the SCO that was established by agreement between SCO heads of state following the SCO's June 2018 Qingdao summit. On 9 September 2018, Tashkent hosted the first meeting of SCO railway administration heads.