Joint Communiqué of the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States

The 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) concluded on October 16, 2024, in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Esteemed officials in attendance included Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Abbas Attabak, Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Tajik Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda, and Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov.

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, also featured the participation of SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, Executive Committee Director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure J. Myrzayev, Chairman of the SCO Business Council Sheikh, and the rotating chair of the SCO Banking Union Yaribayev. Additionally, the meeting included representatives from observer states, notably Mongolia’s Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene, the Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Meredov, as well as officials from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.

During the session, leaders praised Kazakhstan’s efforts as the 2023-2024 rotating chair and emphasized the importance of implementing resolutions passed during the SCO Heads of State Council Meeting held on July 4, 2024, in Astana. There was unanimous support for China as the next chair for 2024-2025.

Delegates discussed the principle of respecting each nation’s right to choose its path for political, economic, and social development, reaffirming the need for mutual respect of sovereignty and non-interference. They stressed that dialogue is key to resolving disputes peacefully.

Furthermore, the leaders expressed their commitment to promoting a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly regarding the “SCO Initiative for Unity Among Nations for Global Justice, Peace, and Development.” They reaffirmed their desire to enhance cooperation based on mutual respect, fairness, and benefits within a new type of international relationship that promotes a shared future for humanity.

Participants recognized the structural changes in the global economy and expressed concerns over challenges such as diminishing investment, unstable supply chains, and protectionist measures that disrupt international trade. They acknowledged the necessity to combat trade protectionism that contravenes World Trade Organization rules and to reinforce a multilateral trading system premised on non-discrimination and transparency.

The leaders supported the Belt and Road Initiative led by China and highlighted the cooperative efforts to synchronize the initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union. They advocated for the development of a collaborative framework that utilizes the potential of regional nations, international organizations, and multilateral mechanisms to construct an equitable and open cooperative environment based on international law principles and national interests.

They also discussed the need for a unified approach to sustainable development, particularly in areas like green development, digital economy, trade, and healthcare. With an eye toward the future, the leaders committed to strengthening collaboration in addressing security issues, ensuring financial flow, and fostering people-to-people connections to create a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

The meeting also addressed the importance of cooperation in information security, the necessity of bridging the digital divide, and the support for establishing a cross-border data exchange mechanism. The leaders acknowledged the significance of standardizing regulations to facilitate trade, exploring the development of customs cooperation, and enhancing efforts to combat smuggling while building efficient and secure supply chains in the region.

The creation of an SCO Investors Alliance was welcomed as a means to foster investment within the SCO framework, and the leaders underscored the importance of establishing a development bank and investment fund for the SCO. They also supported efforts to enhance cultural and educational exchanges among member states, acknowledging initiatives that promote tourism and sports cooperation.

The next meeting of the Council of Heads of Government is scheduled to take place in 2025 in the Russian Federation. The leaders expressed their gratitude to Pakistan for their exceptional organization and warm hospitality during the event.

This collaborative spirit signals a commitment among member countries to tackle global issues together, promoting mutual understanding and cooperation for peace and prosperity in the region.