On July 17-18, 2025, in Qingdao, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Nurlan Yermekbayev took part in the opening ceremony of the Conference on Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation between China and the SCO countries, organized by the People's Government of Shandong Province.
The event, held at the SCO Pearl International Exhibition Center, was opened by the Governor of Shandong Province, Zhou Naixiang.
In his welcoming speech, Nurlan Yermekbayev informed the conference participants about the current tasks, results and plans for the development of SCO cooperation in the trade and economic sphere. The vision of further realization of the Organization's enormous economic potential is presented, using the capabilities of pilot zones, centers for cross-border cooperation, transport and logistics hubs, fairgrounds and non-governmental platforms.
The Secretary General emphasized the constructive role of the China-SCO Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Qingdao in strengthening practical cooperation, business and interregional ties between the SCO countries.
The opening ceremony was also attended by heads of diplomatic missions, local executive bodies, and representatives of legislative, public, expert and business circles of Belarus, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Cambodia and other countries of the SCO community.
At the event, the People's Government of Shandong Province announced the "Qingdao Initiative to strengthen regional Trade and Economic Cooperation between the SCO countries".
In addition, on the sidelines of the conference, the Secretary General attended the launch ceremony of the Chinese stage of the Global Arabian Horse Cup, held by the Chinese Equestrian Industry Association together with partners from the United Arab Emirates on the basis of the China-SCO Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone.
Nurlan Yermekbayev also presented certificates to the participants of the Young Rescuer youth summer camp, organized by the China-SCO Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone together with the China-SCO Center for Cooperation in the Field of Emergency Medicine.
During his stay in Qingdao, the Secretary General answered questions from local media who were interested in the guest's impressions of the conference, the socio-economic development of Shandong Province and Qingdao City, as well as the region's place and role in the SCO interregional cooperation.