SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov’s report at the 2020 Global Energy Interconnection Conference (Asia Energy and Power Conference)

On 2 November 2020, SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov spoke at the 2020 Global Energy Interconnection Conference (5th Asia Energy and Power Conference), which took place in Beijing under the auspices of the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organisation (GEIDCO).

Vladimir Norov noted that the conference was being held at a difficult time for the world. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has caused everyone problems and challenges, regardless of a countries' size, scale or potential. At the same time, we can note with optimism that our countries and peoples have shown a firm will and strong interest in combining efforts to overcome the current difficult period and move forward. In the most difficult moments, the SCO member states show solidarity, cohesion, mutual assistance and support for each other.

The SCO Secretary-General underscored that China, as a co-founder of the SCO, was playing an important, constructive and creative role in the organisation's multifaceted activity, including in energy security by implementing the Energy Revolution Strategy aimed at creating a "green" multi-channel energy supply system, and the sustainable and healthy development of alternative energy.

"China is generally recognised and respected as a responsible member of the international community with global influence and high credibility among other countries, and a world leader in the development of alternative and renewable energy.

The GEIDCO, founded at the initiative of President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China, makes a significant contribution to solving energy development problems around the world," Vladimir Norov noted.

He believes this organisation's activity is fully in line with the Goals on the UN Sustainable Development Agenda until 2030, in accordance with the Paris Agreement on the standards and norms of global nature management, as well as with the spirit of the Belt and Road Initiative aimed at promoting sustainable development in the world.

The SCO Secretary-General expressed confidence that the discussion of pressing issues on the current agenda — such as clean development and energy transition in Asia, smart energy and energy interconnection, climate change and the environmental crisis, investment and financing of renewable energy sources — will undoubtedly facilitate the search for joint solutions to bring international energy cooperation to an even higher level in the interests of all countries and peoples, in

order to ensure sustainable development around the world.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is growing fast and is preparing to mark its 20th anniversary in 2021, Vladimir Norov said. In recent years, the SCO has grown into a transcontinental entity, its weight and influence in the world increasing; its total potential — the total population, territory, natural and energy resources and GDP — has made it the world's largest subregional organisation.

The SCO Charter, its fundamental document, says that one of the main areas of cooperation between its members is "the promotion of effective regional cooperation in energy, the development of energy systems."

"The SCO includes a massive market for energy and energy resources, both in terms of volume and growing potential. Despite the current crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the global energy market is steadily growing every year, and our countries are stepping up work to ensure that this area becomes a catalyst for our countries' growth and development," Vladimir Norov said.

He also noted that the SCO member states are working on a new mechanism for energy cooperation. In December 2013, the SCO member states, observers and dialogue partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the SCO Energy Club.

According to the SCO Secretary-General, the SCO member states are now gradually implementing the updated Programme of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation of the SCO Member States until 2035, which also covers the energy sector; they are implementing mutually beneficial projects to build new and upgrade existing energy infrastructure, use renewable and clean energy sources, develop and implement innovative technologies in this area, apply advanced environmental technologies, and enhance energy efficiency for sustainable development.

In conclusion, Vladimir Norov underlined that the experience of the SCO member states, firmly and consistently developing cooperation in the Shanghai spirit that implies mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, mutual consultations, respect for cultural diversity, and interest in joint development, should enable the successful use of their huge untapped potential for cooperation in the energy sector.

The SCO Secretary-General wished the conference participants a successful and fulfilling exchange of experience on energy issues and all the best.