Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Director of the International Institute of Central Asia Anvar Nasirov delivered a welcoming speech at the international conference "Shanghai Cooperation Organization: from Central Asia to Eurasia", dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the SCO Charter.

“First of all, I would like to congratulate you on the day before 15 June, a significant date for all of us, the Day of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Please also accept my most sincere congratulations on the anniversary of the SCO Charter, which was signed following the Summit of Heads of State in St. Petersburg on 7 June 2002.”

The founding document of our Organization determines the priorities and develops the main directions of the SCO’s activities, resolves the fundamental issues of its internal structure and functioning, interaction with other states and international organizations.

An important component of the multifaceted partnership of the SCO member states, which is enshrined in the Charter, is the observance of the principles of mutual respect for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity of states and the inviolability of state borders, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, non-use of force or threat of force in international relations, equality of all states -members, search for common points of view on the basis of mutual understanding and respect for the opinions of each of them, peaceful resolution of differences between member states.

In addition, it is necessary to emphasize the principles of consensus - the equality of all member states - and the non-orientation of the SCO against other states and international organizations.

It is noteworthy that our event is taking place today within the walls of the International Institute of Central Asia, which was created on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Central Asia is located at the crossroads of the Eurasian continent, since ancient times it was called the "core" of the world.

It was this factor that became decisive at the beginning of our century in the creation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which corresponded to the fundamental interests of our peoples.

In the Dushanbe Declaration on the 20th anniversary of the SCO, the heads of state reiterated that Central Asia is the core of the SCO.

Over the past years, thanks to joint efforts, our states have managed to put into practice the "Shanghai spirit", which includes mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultations, respect for the diversity of civilizations and the desire for common development.

We can rightfully be proud that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has become an authoritative structure that is an integral part of the global political and economic architecture.

Twenty years is a rather short time by historical standards, but during this time we have traveled a long way together, which has formed all the conditions for successful progress towards the goals and objectives set in the SCO Charter.

Starting its activities with an emphasis on "two wings" - ensuring stability and security, as well as developing economic cooperation, the SCO today provides a mutually beneficial partnership on almost all topical issues on the international agenda - transport, energy, agriculture, innovation, poverty alleviation, industrial cooperation , education, healthcare, gender equality, youth policy, culture, tourism and much more.

New formats and mechanisms of interaction have been launched that allow us to discuss and solve the promising tasks that we face.

Our countries have indeed become one big “SCO family”, which unites the countries of Asia, Europe and Africa. New applications that continue to come from other countries are under consideration.

It should be noted that during the upcoming Samarkand SCO summit in September this year, truly historic decisions will be made aimed at expanding the ranks of the Organization by admitting new members in the format of full members, observers and dialogue partners.

Close contacts with the UN and its specialized agencies, ASEAN, the CIS, the CSTO, the EAEU, the CICA, the ECO and a number of other structures create a significant potential for promoting the SCO’s own consolidated agenda.

In the conditions of turbulence in world politics and the economy, we need together more than ever to ensure peace, stability and sustainable development in the large area of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The basis for this should continue to be the SCO Charter, which clearly outlines the basic principles and directions of mutually beneficial cooperation in the long term.

Two main directions should be noted - maintaining peace and strengthening security and confidence in the region, as well as supporting and encouraging regional economic cooperation in various forms.

This has become the most relevant in modern conditions and I think it will never lose its significance in the future.

By maintaining stability, strengthening mutual trust and promoting joint sustainable development in the SCO space, we can ensure the speedy resolution of pressing socio-economic issues and further improve the well-being of our peoples.

Today we have gathered here to exchange views on our achievements and prospects for the development of multilateral cooperation within the SCO, both taking into account the provisions of the Charter and the 2007 Treaty on Long-term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation of the SCO Member States, which is an organic continuation of our founding document.

I would like to note that in three months in the pearl of the Great Silk Road that united our countries, the beautiful ancient city of Samarkand, a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will be held, and we, as an expert community, can prepare our proposals, which will subsequently be reflected in to improve the activities of our common organization - as I said above "common family".