Nurlan Yermekbayev
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) is a unique international entity that traces its roots back to the
Shanghai Five, which was founded by five countries: the People's Republic of
China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. These nations initially
collaborated to foster an atmosphere of trust and stability along their
national borders. By the end of the 20th century, having achieved these goals,
the leaders of the Shanghai Five decided to extend their cooperation into a
fully-fledged international organization.
Thus, in 2001, in Shanghai, the
leaders of six countries signed documents formalizing the creation of the SCO.
China's role within the SCO is particularly prominent and crucial. The
organization's name itself includes "Shanghai," a major metropolis in
China, and its headquarters are located in Beijing.
In the SCO, there are no big or small
states. Today, the SCO family comprises 26 countries: 10 member states, two
observer states, and 14 dialogue partners. All these nations adhere to
principles of equality, consultation, and constructive problem-solving. This
commitment to mutual respect and cooperative development embodies the
"Shanghai Spirit," a unique hallmark of the SCO.
The "Shanghai Spirit" is
built on six core principles defined by the member states: equality, mutual
trust, mutual benefit, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and
pursuit of common development. These principles resonate with the vision of
Chinese President Xi Jinping, particularly his initiative to build a community
with a shared future for mankind.
This vision promotes mutual benefit,
peace, and progress, focusing on uniting efforts for joint development and
shared prosperity, rather than dividing nations based on different interests.
All member states have contributed
significantly to the development of the SCO. It is essential to highlight the
substantial contributions of the current chair, the Republic of Kazakhstan.
It's worth noting that Kassym-Jomart
Tokayev, the current president of Kazakhstan, even during his tenure as foreign
minister in the late 1990s, advocated for the establishment of a full-fledged
international organization in a Foreign Minister Council Meeting, which
eventually became the SCO. Both the first and current presidents of Kazakhstan
have consistently participated in all meetings of heads of state.
Since assuming the chairmanship of
the SCO in July last year, Kazakhstan has consistently carried out its duties
as chairman and proposed a number of important initiatives. During the summit
in India last year, Kazakhstan's president clearly outlined the priorities his
country would have during Kazakhstan's chairmanship, which include numerous
initiatives in security, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, and trade and
economic collaboration.
At this year's SCO summit, key
documents such as the Energy Strategy and the Regulations of the SCO Investors
Association are presented for approval by the heads of state. The second
document, namely, the Regulations of the SCO Investors Association, will
establish the operational framework for the association aimed at uniting
investors from various countries to promote common development.
This year, at Kazakhstan's
initiative, has been declared the Year of Ecology within the SCO, leading to
numerous environmental activities and initiatives.
A range of documents are signed,
focusing on environmental protection, seed production, and agricultural
development. An Ecology Forum will be held in July, drawing attention to, and
addressing, ecological topics such as water resource management and waste
reduction. Kazakhstan has also proposed the creation of an SCO Association of
Ports and Logistics Centers.
Of course, speaking about
Kazakhstan's chairmanship, it is essential to note that it turned out to be
very important and, perhaps, somewhat innovative, considering the current
highly volatile global situation, with numerous challenges, various threats, armed
conflicts and large risk zones.
In his address to the New Delhi
summit last year, the President of Kazakhstan proposed a global initiative to
promote world unity.
Considerable progress has been made
to date. This initiative encapsulates the primary views and assessments of
member states regarding the current global situation and the principles for
establishing a new type of international relations based on justice, equality,
and mutual respect.
The SCO is not a military-political
bloc; it is not a bloc organization at all. Instead, it is an open entity
focused on cooperation and the attainment of shared objectives. It is open to
dialogue with all and is not directed against anyone. It bases all its work on
finding common interests and reaching consensus on any issues.
Currently, we observe the growing
demand and the increasing contribution of the SCO to regional development
evidenced by the rising interest from other countries and international
organizations. For instance, in the eight years since 2017, the number of member
states has almost doubled. This surge in membership underscores the SCO's
enhanced relevance and influence on the global stage.
With Belarus's accession to the SCO,
it will truly become a Euro-Asian organization. Under these conditions, member
states see the SCO's role as increasingly vital in strengthening international
stability and finding peaceful solutions to any issues. Additionally, the SCO
aims to enhance overall prosperity within its region through active development
of trade and economic cooperation. Furthermore, all SCO member states desire
the organization to deliver more practical benefits, providing greater tangible
value to the peoples of our countries.
[Note: The world is
entering a new period of turbulence and change, with issues of concern emerging
one after another worldwide. Against this backdrop, the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization maintains its position as a comprehensive cooperation grouping
which contributes to regional development, peace and stability. With this
year's SCO summit being held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on July 3-4, our special
series of articles, "Shanghai Spirit in a Chaotic World," looks at
the SCO from different perspectives. This is the seventh article of the series.
Decision Makers is a global platform for decision makers to share their
insights on events shaping today's world. Nurlan Yermekbayev is the SCO's
deputy secretary-general. The article reflects the author's opinions.]