SCO countries agree to boost connectivity

The member states of Shanghai Cooperation Organization have expressed the determination to shape the organization into the most effective forum under the umbrella of common goals of closely knitted road, rail, and communication networks crossing huge swathes of South Asia, Central Asia up to Europe. In a joint communiqué, the 16th Meeting of the Heads of Government Council agreed on specific measures to enhance cooperation in diverse sectors.
They noted that it is particularly important to build a multipolar and fair world order that will be based on international law, mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation. The delegation heads expressed a common understanding of the fact that all participants of international economic relations must have equal opportunities.
They also emphasized that one of the SCO''s priorities is to improve people''s wellbeing and living standards. In this context, they spoke out for consistent implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals by strengthening cooperation in trade, production, energy, transport, investment, agriculture, telecommunications and other sectors of mutual interest.
The heads of government of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan confirmed their support of China''s One Belt and One Road Initiative. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, in his address, said they had to think about future and move ahead. For future development and prosperity, economic cooperation among the SCO states should be strengthened. The region was confronted with economic challenges, he said and offered Russian expertise and cooperation to the member states in tackling the related issues. He recounted the effects of global economic meltdown and stressed upon strengthening cooperation in road infrastructure, agriculture, energy and food security. Medvedev also suggested multilateral border connections through Eurasian and One Belt One Road initiatives. The SCO was working over such agreements.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang viewed the complicated changes in the world as result of outcome of regional hot spots. Fighting terrorism in all forms and manifestation should be the priority of the SCO countries, he said, and suggested active study of the threats posed by terrorism. He said that China was ready to advance security of the region with other countries through intense cooperation, besides underscoring the need for synergizing efforts to translate ideas into concrete measures. The SCO''s identity and objectives should flourish, he opined. He particularly referred to ''One Belt, One Road'' (OBOR) project mentioning Pakistan and South Asia as massive economic markets for the SCO due to its huge population and potential.
Li said that China was ready to open its markets to the world to increase competitiveness. Indian External Affairs Minister Shushma Swaraj said global challenges in the sphere of economy still persisted. The SCO member countries were connected through long history of commonalities but the regional connectivity was vital.
The Kazakhstan prime minister said landlocked countries of Central Asia required to streamline their efforts for close cooperation through road networks and referred to Chinese initiative of One Road One Belt project. Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Sapar Isakov said his conviction was that the SCO''s role has enhanced with the inclusion of Pakistan and India. He offered a proposal for establishment of digital silk road and construction of roads network passing through all member states of the SCO. Kyrgyzstan was interested in materializing the OBOR project.
The Council adopted a number of decisions related to budget, financial and administrative matters of the SCO. The joint communique issued by the Council focused on the economic, trade, energy, connectivity and social sector cooperation.