The annual summit provides opportunities for leaders to meet on the sidelines and discuss issues of mutual concern. In this regard, Prime Minister Sharif participated in a trilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev

 

Leaders Strengthen Ties in SCO Summit in Astana
By Elaine Pasquini
Washington

 

“Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue – Striving Towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity” was the theme of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 2024 heads-of-state summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan July 3 and 4. Established on June 15, 2001, the SCO is a regional organization representing over three billion people – almost 45 percent of the world’s population and almost one-third of the world’s GDP.

“Hosting such a large-scale event demonstrates our country’s significant authority on the global stage,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, the ninth-largest country in the world by area, said in a June 27 press statement.

As host of the summit, President Tokayev welcomed leaders of the SCO member states and dialogue partners emphasizing Kazakhstan’s commitment to multilateral dialogue and cooperation. Promoting the message that “diplomacy, rather than hostilities, is key to resolving disagreements,” he proposed development of a joint SCO initiative “On World Unity for Just Peace and Harmony.” 

Presently, SCO members include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, India, Pakistan, and Iran, along with the Republic of Belarus which was just admitted as a full member at this year’s summit. Afghanistan and Mongolia are observer states. The 14 dialogue partners are Türkiye, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, Maldives and the United Arab Emirates.

Israel’s war on Gaza was an important agenda topic at the summit which Pakistani Prime Minister Shabaz Sharif addressed, urging attendees to “call upon the international community to uphold its responsibility and ensure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the free flow of humanitarian assistance and protection of civilians.” He also stressed that “Israel must be held accountable for genocide and war crimes.”

The annual summit provides opportunities for leaders to meet on the sidelines and discuss issues of mutual concern. In this regard, Prime Minister Sharif participated in a trilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in which the three leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation not only to contribute to the prosperity of their own populace but also serve to promote regional and global peace and stability.

The three heads of state expressed their support for prioritizing dialogue among relevant countries in conflict resolution, in line with principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Reaffirming their cooperation in combating transnational threats, particularly in the fight against terrorism, and joint resolution of this matter, they agreed to hold future meetings in Pakistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan.

In his address at the summit, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the relevance of multilateral dialogue for sustainable global development.  Addressing key issues such as conflicts and economic fractures, he underscored the need for solidarity to ensure global security and prosperity. Mirziyoyev also proposed a new agenda for the SCO aimed at enhancing security and fostering trade, innovation, and climate cooperation.

Upon his arrival in the Kazakh capital, UN Secretary-General António Guterres pointed out: “This is a time to come together and to work together in the face of growing division.” In addition, he stressed the need to focus on global existential challenges ranging from climate change and escalating conflicts to high inflation and growing poverty.

“This is the moment to reaffirm our common commitment to multilateralism, with the United Nations at its center, bound by the principles set out in the UN Charter, international law, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” Guterres said. “The central goal of our multilateral system must be peace – a precondition for sustainable development and the enjoyment of human rights.”

He went on to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, a surge in life-saving aid to Palestinians, along with the release of all hostages and a commitment and guarantee of a two-state solution with the right of self-determination for the Palestinians.

“Every day counts while children in Gaza are dying, suffering severe injuries and trauma, seeing their parents being killed and their homes being destroyed,” he said. “This must stop.”

In addition, the UN leader stressed the need for peace in Afghanistan with an inclusive government that respects human rights and is integrated into the international community.

Wrapping up his remarks, Guterres stated: “This is an important moment for the world to move forward together, based on the UN Charter and international law. The Shanghai Cooperation Council – the largest regional organizational organization in the world – has the power and the responsibility to push for peace.”

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, one of the founding countries of the SCO, thanked Kazakh President Tokayev for hosting the event and wished Chinese President Xi Jinping success as China takes over the SCO presidency after the summit. 

(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)