On 26 October 2023, Bishkek hosted the 22nd meeting of the Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (hereinafter referred to as the SCO or the Organisation). Taking part in it were Minister of the External Affairs of the Republic of India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, First Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Mokhber, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Japarov, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Jalil Abbas Jilani, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda, and Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov.
The meeting was chaired by Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Japarov.
The meeting was attended by SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure Ruslan Mirzayev, Chair of the of the SCO Business Council Board Tribhuvan Darbari, and Chair of the SCO Interbank Association Council Shri Padmanabhan Raja Jaishankar.
Taking part in the meeting also were high representatives of the SCO observer states: Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of Mongolia Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, and Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan Hojamyrat Geldimyradov as a guest of the presiding party, as well as leaders of permanent bodies of the CIS, EEC, and CICA.
The heads of delegations discussed a wide range of issues of global and regional development in a friendly, constructive, and business-like atmosphere, as well as current aspects of the development of trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation within the SCO.
The heads of delegations highly praised the chairmanship of the Republic of India in the SCO in 2022-2023 and advocated the active practical implementation of the results of the meeting of SCO Heads of State Council (July 4, 2023).
The heads of delegations expressed their support for the chairmanship of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Organisation in 2023-2024.
The heads of delegations emphasised that the deep and large changes taking place in the world have accelerated the formation of a more just and multipolar world order with the central coordinating role of the UN.
At the same time, these fundamental processes go together with the escalation of multidimensional challenges aggravated by geopolitical tensions and conflicts. Reduced investment flows, the breaking down of supply chains, turbulence in global financial markets, various protectionist measures, and other barriers to international trade increase risks for the global economy, as well as for sustainable economic growth, transport, food and energy security, macroeconomic and financial stability, social well-being, and the battle against climate change.
Considering the opinions of the member states, the heads of delegations reaffirmed the importance of initiatives to promote cooperation in establishing a new type of international relations in the spirit of mutual respect, justice, equality, and mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as for forming a common vision of the idea to create a community with a common destiny for humanity and developing dialogue on the idea “One Earth. One family. One future.”
The heads of delegations noted that the member states, in accordance with the principles of the SCO Charter, intend to further develop cooperation in the fields of politics and security, trade, economics, finance and investment, cultural, and humanitarian ties.
The SCO, being an influential and responsible participant of today’s system of international relations, is committed to strict compliance with the generally recognised principles of international law as enshrined in the UN Charter.
The heads of delegations emphasised the significance of the SCO Economic Development Strategy to 2030 adopted by the concerned SCO member states. The document is called on to facilitate the SCO’s economic breakthrough, while prioritising the “green” agenda, expanded regional trade, and the creation of favourable business and investment climate in the SCO region. They instructed specialised ministries and agencies to draft an action plan for implementing the strategy and to adopt it in line with the established procedure.
The heads of delegations reaffirmed the fact that SCO member states advocated subsequent efforts to upgrade and overhaul the global economic governance system, and that they will consistently uphold and strengthen an open, transparent, equitable, all-inclusive, non-discriminatory, and multilateral trade system, based on generally recognised international principles and rules. This trade system would facilitate the development of an open global economy, equitable access to markets, and a special and differentiated regime for developing countries. The concerned parties also pledged to oppose protectionist actions and trade restrictions that undermine the multilateral trade system and jeopardise the global economy.
They emphasised that the unilateral use of economic sanctions, other than those approved by the UN Security Council, was incompatible with the principles of international law, and that these sanctions negatively affected international economic relations.
The heads of delegations noted the importance of expanding practical cooperation in the sphere of infrastructure, industrial production, finance and investment, transportation, science and technology, innovation, information and communication technologies, the digital economy, energy, agriculture, the customs sphere, food security, and small and medium-sized businesses, all in the interests of ensuring sustainable economic growth for the SCO member states.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan reaffirmed their support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative and noted ongoing work to jointly implement this project, including efforts to align the development of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Belt and Road Initiative.
The heads of delegations emphasised the importance of joint efforts to fulfil the Programme for Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation Between the SCO Member States and an action plan to implement it.
The heads of delegations noted the results of the Meeting of the SCO Member States Ministers Responsible for Foreign Economic and Foreign Trade Activities. They also noted the approval of the joint Statement on Prospects and Measures to Deepen Cooperation among the SCO Member States (Bishkek, 27 October 2023) and an Initiative to Study Prospects in the Sphere of Digital Trade (Bishkek, 26 October 2023).
The heads of delegations recognise the key role of the digital economy in industrial modernisation and development, in facilitating all-inclusive economic growth, and in incentivising national economies.
The heads of delegations called for expanding cooperation in the e-commerce sphere, the exchange of knowledge and experience in the use of digital technologies, the protection of consumers’ rights in e-commerce, and the resolution of disputes online. They instructed the concerned officials to take action for invigorating the activities of the SCO Working Group on E-Commerce.
The heads of delegations also noted the significance of the creative economy as a highly significant component for developing the sides’ innovation potential. They believe that support for creative industries will make national economies more competitive, develop small and medium-sized businesses, and expand the labour markets of the SCO member states, including those in remote and rural territories.
The heads of delegations praised the initiative to draft a Programme of SCO New Economic Dialogue, which would cover such areas as robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and other industries of the future.
The heads of delegations agreed that the realisation of the potential of trade and economic cooperation between the Organisation’s member states is tied with resolving existing system-wide issues, including liberalising mutual trade.
The heads of delegations advocated for the promotion of mutually beneficial and equal interaction of the SCO with other international organisations and associations that respect the SCO’s main principles and objectives.
The heads of delegations noted the strong interest of the SCO member states’ business circles to continue joint work to build and deepen business contacts in such areas as investment, digital transformation, and the creation of a regional startup ecosystem.
The heads of delegations, while praising the results of a regular meeting of the SCO Business Council Board and the business forum of the SCO Business Council (2 May 2023, by videoconference), the meeting of the SCO Interbank Consortium Council (Panaji, 26 April 2023), noted the need to develop and implement joint projects, including a draft Strategy for Business Partnership with the participation of the SCO Business Council and the SCO Interbank Consortium to be revised and approved in due process.
The heads of delegations noted the results of the SCO Energy Ministers Meeting (14 March 2023, by videoconference), including the adoption of a Joint Statement on Cooperation between the SCO Member States on new Fuels and Modeling in the Energy Sector. They underscored the importance of continued mutually beneficial cooperation in this area, in particular, as it concerns the use of low emission energy sources, including renewable and clean energy, and pointed out the need for the development of promising areas, such as wind and solar energy, hydroelectric energy, nuclear energy, bioenergy, hydrogen energy, energy containment systems, and other low-emission technologies.
The heads of delegations advocate for the preparation and adoption of the Strategy for the Development of Energy Cooperation between the SCO Member States until 2030 and noted the initiative to create a regional energy hub in the SCO.
The heads of delegations spoke for the consistent implementation of the ideas and goals of the statement by the SCO Heads of State Council to provide for international energy security, which was adopted by the interested parties, and the Cooperation Programme between the Authorised Agencies of the SCO Member States in the Use of Renewable Energy (Samarkand, 16 September 2022).
The heads of delegations noted the results of the SCO Energy Forum (Astana, 3-4 October 2023) as an important contribution to the promotion of an energy dialogue for the medium and long term.
The heads of delegations noted the results of the SCO Transport Ministers Meeting (New Delhi, 28 April 2023) and the importance of the implementation of the Concept for the Cooperation of the SCO Member States to Decarbonise Transport, Promote Digital Transformation and Innovative Technologies to Achieve Higher Efficiency and Sustainability. They supported the initiative to hold the SCO International Transport Forum (Tashkent, 1 November 2023).
The heads of delegations spoke for the active realisation of the Agreement Between the SCO Member States’ Governments on the Creation of Favourable Conditions for International Motor Transportation (Dushanbe, 12 September 2014), including regular meetings of a relevant joint commission.
The heads of delegations noted the importance of reaching the goals of the Statement by the SCO Heads of State Council on Ensuring Reliable, Sustainable, and Diversified Supply Chains (Samarkand, 16 September 2022) in a format of the interested parties.
The heads of delegations emphasised the importance of fully implementing the Concept of Cooperation Between SCO Member States in the Development of Interconnectivity and the Creation of Efficient Transport Corridors (Samarkand, 16 September 2022), and welcomed the initiative to create a partner network of major strategic ports and logistics centres in the SCO.
The heads of delegations noted the results of the Meeting of SCO Heads of Railway Administrations (New Delhi, 10 May 2023). The meeting focused on the need for active cooperation in constructing new railways connecting the SCO member states, developing multimodal transportation and modern logistics centres, digitalisation, developing human resources, ensuring safety in railway transport, implementing environmental initiatives, as well as under the adopted Work Plan of the Meeting of SCO Heads of Railway Administrations for 2023-2025.
The heads of delegations instructed the relevant ministries and departments to ensure that the Action Plan for the Implementation of Cooperation between Railway Administrations as part of the Concept of Interaction between SCO Railway Administrations, approved following the SCO Heads of Government Council Meeting (Tashkent, 2 November 2019), was carried out, and also to work out a procedure for adopting the Initiative to Promote the High-Quality and Sustainable Development of International Railway Transportation in the SCO Member States.
The heads of delegations noted the initiative to launch within the SCO a mechanism for cooperation in antimonopoly regulation and combating unfair competition. They believe that interaction between the antimonopoly departments of the SCO member states will facilitate the exchange of experience and best practices in order to resolve issues related to the monopolisation of economic activities.
The heads of delegations gave high marks to the potential for cooperation within the SCO Interbank Consortium and advocated taking full advantage of the opportunities of interbank cooperation in order to create favourable conditions for trade and investment. They noted initiatives to create the SCO Association of Investors and the joint SCO Investment Fund.
The heads of delegations took note of the results of the Meeting of SCO Finance Ministers and Governors of Central (National) Banks (3 March 2023, by videoconference) and stressed the importance of further developing cooperation in digital financial accessibility.
The heads of delegations emphasised the need to provide financial support for project activities in order to fully realise the Organisation’s investment potential, and also agreed to continue consultations on establishing the SCO Development Bank and the SCO Development Fund (Special Account).
The heads of delegations of the concerned SCO member states confirmed the importance of consistent implementation of the Roadmap to Gradually Increase the Share of National Currencies in Mutual Settlements, and also called on other SCO member states to join in its implementation.
The heads of delegations, reaffirming the special role the development of interregional cooperation plays within the SCO, noted the results of the Business Partnership Week between the regions of the SCO member-states (Samarkand, 7-11 August 2023).
The heads of delegations noted the results of the 6th Meeting of the Heads of SCO Supreme Audit Institutions of the SCO Member States (Lucknow, 7-9 February 2023). They emphasised the importance of further developing cooperation between the SCO supreme audit institutions in advanced areas, and exchanging knowledge and experience, including taking advantage of opportunities created by the rapid development of cybertechnologies.
The heads of delegations noted the importance of building multilateral cooperation through official statistics to introduce the best statistical practices and methodological developments in order to timely provide member states with official statistical information under the framework of the implementation of priority areas of trade and economic cooperation.
The heads of delegations spoke in favour of further expanding mutually beneficial cooperation with the SCO observer states and dialogue partners in order to increase the potential for joint activities within the SCO, as well as to further strengthen cooperation with international organisations, interstate, and regional integration associations, such as the UN, CIS, CSTO, EAEU, ASEAN, ECO, CICA, BRICS, etc.
The heads of delegations, emphasising the need for consistent implementation of the Statement of the SCO Heads of States Council on Cooperation in Digital Transformation (4 July 2023), noted the creation of a Special Working Group on Startups and Innovation.
The heads of delegations, speaking for the further development of cooperation in the industrial sector, noted the initiative to create an Alliance of Special Economic Zones of the SCO countries, the results of the Industrial Cooperation of the SCO Member States in Times of Global Challenges special session at the INNOPROM international exhibition (Yekaterinburg, 10 July 2023) and spoke in favour of implementing the Programme for Encouraging Industrial Cooperation Between the Business Circles of the SCO Member States (Samarkand, 16 September 2022).
The heads of delegations noted the measures taken by the SCO member states to promote cooperation in trade in services, including in order to stabilise supply chains, while also emphasising the importance of continuing to implement the Framework for Cooperation in Trade in Services Between the Authorised Bodies of the SCO Member States (Samarkand, 16 September 2022) in a stakeholder format.
The heads of delegations emphasised the significance of developing long-term cooperation between the SCO member states in the sphere of culture, education, science and technology, environmental protection, healthcare, sport, tourism, and youth policy.
The heads of delegations find it important to expand long-term cooperation between the SCO member states in the sphere of healthcare and ensure sanitary-epidemiological welfare, including the digitalisation of healthcare systems, the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases, the development of medical tourism in the SCO region, and prevention and control of infectious diseases. They noted the results of the Health Ministers Meeting of the SCO Member States (New Delhi, 12 May 2023). Additionally, they noted the need to fulfil the Comprehensive Plan of Joint Measures by the SCO Member States to Counter the Risks of Epidemics in the SCO Region (Moscow, 10 November 2020) and the Road Map for Cooperation Between Medical Organisations of the SCO Member States in Preventing and Treating Infectious Diseases (Samarkand, 16 September 2022).
The heads of delegations noted initiatives on establishing the SCO Medical Association and expanding cooperation in using radiopharmaceuticals. They noted the results of a meeting of practicing specialists and entrepreneurs in the field of traditional medicine (Guwahati, 3 February 2023) and the incipient work of the Working Expert Group on Traditional Medicine.
The heads of delegations emphasised the need to raise the preparedness of the region for combating infectious diseases. They noted the importance of maintaining permanent dialogue between specialised agencies on issues of countering the threat of epidemics and reaffirmed the topicality of holding the next Meeting of Heads of Services of the SCO Member States Responsible for Ensuring Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare.
The heads of delegations noted the results of the SCO Young Scientists Forum (Bangalore, 6-10 February 2023) and the Meeting of SCO Science & Technology Ministers (16 May 2023, by videoconference). They emphasised the importance of utilising the available potential of partnering science and technology to facilitate sustainable development in the SCO region, including the implementation of the Programme for cooperation in AI development Between Authorised Agencies of the SCO Member States (Samarkand, 16 September 2023).
The heads of delegations noted the results of the 18th Meeting of the SCO Forum (Dushanbe, 22-23 May 2023) and underscored the significance of this consultative and expert mechanism’s activities for the permanent exchange of opinion between scientists and experts of the SCO member states and providing scientific support to the Organisation’s activities.
The heads of delegations welcomed the outcome of the Meeting of the Agriculture Ministers of the SCO Member States (12 May 2023, by videoconference), and the discussion involving the provision of food security in the SCO space as part of the International Conference on Food Security (Samarkand, 7-8 September 2023) and the Millets Food Festival held under the auspices of the SCO as part of the International Year of Millets proclaimed by the UN (Mumbai, 12-19 April 2023). They speak out for the further deepening of interaction based on the Agreement Between the SCO Member States’ government on Cooperation in Agriculture (Tashkent, 11 June 2010), as well as the consistent implementation of the Statement by the SCO Heads of State Council on Food Security (Dushanbe, 17 September 2021), the Statement by the SCO Heads of State Council on Ensuring Global Food Security adopted in the format of interested states (Samarkand, 16 September 2022), and the Concept of Interaction of the Authorised Bodies of the SCO Member States in Smart Agriculture and Agro-Innovation (Samarkand, 16 September 2022).
The heads of delegations noted the role of the SCO Demonstration Base for Agricultural Technology Exchange and Training in promoting agricultural cooperation in the SCO space.
The heads of delegations welcomed the results of the Meeting of the SCO Heads of Emergency Prevention and Relief Agencies (New Delhi, 20 April 2023), seminars on aftermath relief of floodings (23 February 2023, by videoconference) and earthquakes (24 February 2023, by videoconference), as well as the conference on humanitarian aid and disaster risk reduction (New Delhi, 20 March 2023). The heads of delegations underscored the need to further deepen cooperation based on the Action Plan for 2023-2025 to Implement the Agreement between the Governments of the SCO Member States on Cooperation in Disaster Relief (Moscow, 26 October 2005).
The heads of delegations noted the results of the Meeting of the Heads of Agencies of the SCO Member States Responsible for Development of Information Technology (13 May 2023, by videoconference).
The heads of delegations emphasised the importance of further developing cooperation in digital transformation and ICT in accordance with the concept adopted by the decision of the SCO Heads of State Council (Bishkek, 14 June 2019).
The heads of delegations supported initiatives to hold a meeting of the Managing Commission of the Pool of SCO Technology Parks and Innovation Clusters in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Week of Innovative Partnership of the Regions of the SCO Member States in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The heads of delegations noted the results of the Meeting of Culture Ministers of the SCO Member States (New Delhi, 3 April 2023) and emphasised the important role of cultural cooperation as a foundation to preserve and promote friendship and good neighbourliness between the SCO member countries. They noted the initiative to adopt the annual Calendar of SCO Cultural Exchanges, which envisages thematic events, including on online platforms.
The heads of delegations spoke in favour of deepening cooperation in the publishing of literary works of the SCO countries in the languages of the Organisation’s member states. In this context, the work completed to translate and publish works by classics of Indian literature in the official SCO languages and the results of the SCO Young Authors Conference (New Delhi, 13 April 2023) were noted.
The heads of delegations emphasised that public diplomacy helps strengthen cooperation, as well as cultural and humanitarian ties within the SCO. In this context, they noted the contributions of the SCO Public Diplomacy Forum, the SCO Sister Cities Forum (Qingdao, 13-16 June 2023), the SCO Goodwill Ambassadors, as well as the Chinese Committee for Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation, the SCO Centre for Public Diplomacy in the Republic of Uzbekistan, the SCO Cultural and Integration Centre in the Kyrgyz Republic, the SCO Centre for Friendship and Cooperation in Tajikistan, and the SCO National Centre for Public Diplomacy in Russia towards developing humanitarian cooperation within the Organisation.
The heads of delegations underscored that SCO goodwill ambassadors at a high representative level will contribute to the promotion of the SCO’s values.
The heads of delegations noted the results of the Meeting of Heads of SCO Ministries and Agencies Responsible for the Development of Physical Fitness and Sport (New Delhi, 15 March 2023), as well as the initiative to create an Association of Sports Organisations under the auspices of the SCO. They reaffirmed their commitment to dutifully fulfil their international obligations and ensure the purity of sport based on the principles of Olympism, and emphasised the inadmissibility of discrimination against athletes and sports organisations, while welcoming the ideas of developing cooperation in sport and regularly holding sporting events among the SCO member states under the auspices of the Organisation. They also spoke in favour of expanding interaction and organising conferences/seminars/training programmes in the field of sports education and sports science.
The heads of delegations noted the contribution of the annual Kunming and Issyk-Kul marathons toward the development of sports cooperation between the SCO member states.
The heads of delegations advocated further developing interaction in the SCO on youth policy, including on the basis of the Agreement on Cooperation in Youth Affairs Between the Authorised Agencies of the SCO Member States (Dushanbe, 17 September 2021). They praised the results of the meeting of the SCO Youth Council (New Delhi, 14 March 2023) and believe it necessary to use this platform for interaction between young leaders and youth organisations of the SCO member states. They also supported the participation of young people of the SCO in the World Youth Festival (Sochi, 2024) and noted the initiative to develop a programme of events to expand youth exchanges, SCO: A Space for Creative Ideas and Initiatives of the Future.
The heads of delegations consider it relevant to hold A Meeting of the SCO Education Ministers in November 2023.
The heads of delegations welcome the outcome of the Meeting of the SCO Heads of Tourism Administrations (Varanasi, 17 March 2023) and agreed to further strengthen cooperation between the SCO member states in tourism.
The heads of delegations gave high praise to the events held by the Republic of India as part of the Varanasi: SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital in 2022-2023 project. They believe that naming the city of Almaty as the SCO tourism and cultural capital in 2023-2024 will also help fulfil the region’s tourism potential and further strengthen cooperation in culture.
The heads of delegations emphasised that the programme of the events devoted to Year of Tourism Development in the SCO Space in 2023 has helped fulfil the potential of domestic tourism in the SCO space.
The heads of delegation noted the results of the SCO Tourism Fair (Greater Noida, 9-11 February 2023), the International Tourism Development Forum (Aktau, 15 September 2023), and the Prospects for the Development of Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Heritage in the SCO Countries international research and practical conference (Samarkand, 20 October 2023) and underscored the importance of holding similar events, which help strengthen cultural and humanitarian ties, increase mutual tourism, create joint projects in tourism and form a common space for tourism in the SCO.
The heads of delegation praised the results of the Meeting of the Heads of the SCO Environmental Ministries and Agencies (18 April 2023, by videoconference).
The heads of delegations spoke in favour of the active implementation of the Concept of Cooperation in Environmental Protection of the SCO Member States (Qingdao, 10 June 2018), Statement of the SCO Heads of State Council on Response to Climate Change (Samarkand, 16 September 2022), and the Action Plan for the SCO Year of Ecology in 2024 (Bishkek, 26 October 2023).
An agreement was reached to continue the development of draft Regulations for the Meeting of SCO Heads of Ministries and Agencies on Climate Change (SCO Climate Council), the Joint Action Plan for the Implementation of the SCO Green Belt Programme, the Agreement Between the SCO Member States Governments on Environmental Protection, the SCO Register of Environmental Problems and the Cooperation Programme to Develop Specially Protected Natural Areas and Environmental Tourism.
The heads of delegations welcomed the adoption, at the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic, of the UNGA Sustainable Mountain Development resolution, declaring 2023-2027 the Five Year of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions, and of the UNGA resolution, adopted at the initiative of the Republic of Tajikistan, which declared 2025 the International Year of Glacier Conservation, 21 March World Glacier Day, and the creation of a trust fund to support glacier conservation efforts. They called on all countries to take an active part in the implementation of these resolutions.
The heads of delegations noted the results of the regular meeting of the SCO Consortium of Economic Analytical Centres (26 September 2023, by videoconference). Taking into account the importance of studying and conducting comprehensive analysis of factors influencing economic cooperation within the SCO, and considering global and regional processes and developing expert recommendations and proposals for the development of the SCO economic sector, the heads of delegations emphasised the importance of holding meetings of the Consortium of SCO Economic Think Tanks and SCO Economic Forums.
The heads of delegations adopted the report of the SCO Secretariat on the events and meetings held as part of the implementation of the Programme for Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation Between the SCO Member States and the SCO budget for 2024.
Decisions were made on a number of issues related to the financial and organisational activities of the SCO permanent bodies, which are considering Iran’s candidacy for joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
The heads of delegations expressed their gratitude to the Kyrgyzstan party for organising the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) at a high level and for the warm welcome.
The next meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) will take place in 2023 in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.