Translated with AI
The International Conference entitled “Central Asia – the Core of the SCO: 25 Years of Cooperation for Joint Development” has begun its work at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan. The forum is being held at the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan in cooperation with the Academy of Public Administration and the SCO Friendship and Cooperation Center.
The event brought together a wide range of participants: representatives of the diplomatic corps of member states, observer countries and partners of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), as well as renowned experts, political scientists, teachers and representatives of scientific circles. The conference became an important platform for discussing the results of the 25-year path of development of the organization, exchanging opinions on current issues of international cooperation and strengthening regional interaction.
During his speech, Tajikistan Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Mukhriddin emphasized that over a quarter of a century, the SCO has established itself as an influential and sought-after international organization. According to him, the SCO's attractiveness to states outside Eurasia is explained by its fundamental principles, known as the "Shanghai spirit." These are mutual trust, equality, consensus, respect for cultural and civilizational diversity, and the desire for joint development.
“It is thanks to this approach that we have managed to create an atmosphere of trust in the center of Eurasia, avoid confrontation, and form an effective model of cooperation based on the rejection of bloc thinking and dominance,” the minister noted.
The conference speakers recalled that the idea of creating the SCO was first voiced in Dushanbe in 2000. Since then, Central Asia has played a key role in the development of the organization. The Dushanbe Declaration of the Shanghai Five was the first to declare the desire to transform Central Asia into a region of stability, peace and good neighborliness.
Particular attention during the discussions was paid to the role of Tajikistan as one of the initiators of the SCO and an active participant in all stages of its formation and growth. It was noted that during Tajikistan's chairmanship of the SCO in 2021, the leaders of the participating countries officially recognized Central Asia as the core of the organization.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Tajikistan Ji Shumin emphasized in his speech that China, as the current SCO chairman, implements the motto "SCO in action", seeking to strengthen cooperation in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres. Particular attention, according to him, is paid to the implementation of the initiative to create four Security Centers in Dushanbe: a threat response center, an information security center, a center for combating transnational crime and an anti-drug center.
According to the forum participants, the SCO has become the largest regional organization in the world in terms of territory and population in 25 years. The organization has demonstrated its effectiveness in ensuring security, promoting sustainable development and advancing the dialogue of civilizations, thereby forming a model of international relations based on the principles of cooperation and the indivisibility of security.
At the end of the conference, a concert of students of the Tajik National Conservatory named after Talabkhuji Sattorov took place. The artists presented musical numbers reflecting the richness of the cultural heritage of the peoples of Central Asia.
The conference in Dushanbe confirmed that Central Asia remains the geopolitical core of the SCO and plays a strategic role in strengthening peace, stability and mutual understanding in the Eurasian region.
