The 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) concluded on Thursday with significant strides toward enhancing global peace, security, and prosperity. Held in Astana, the summit culminated in the adoption of the Astana Declaration, an initiative focusing on world unity for justice, harmony, and development.
The SCO, established in 2001, has been instrumental in fostering stability and cooperation across Eurasia. Over the past 23 years, it has expanded to include 26 countries across three continents as members, observers, and dialogue partners. This year’s summit marked a notable expansion, welcoming Belarus as the organization’s tenth member state.
Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the importance of unity within the SCO, emphasizing that with more partners, the foundation for cooperation becomes more robust. “SCO members should jointly resist external interference, firmly support each other, accommodate each other’s concerns, and peacefully resolve internal differences,” he stated.
The summit approved 25 strategic documents covering critical areas such as energy, security, trade, finance, and information security. These agreements aim to strengthen collaboration among member states and address common challenges in the region.
In a time of global turbulence and change, the SCO’s role has become increasingly vital. The organization’s commitment to multilateralism and mutual support among member nations positions it as a cornerstone for fostering stability and development in Asia and beyond.
The addition of new members and the reinforcement of unity signal the SCO’s ongoing evolution and its significance on the global stage. As more countries express interest in joining, the SCO’s influence and ability to promote peace and cooperation are set to grow further.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
