Mirziyoyev Proposes New Initiatives at SCO Summit

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented a series of new initiatives to advance cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during the anniversary meeting of the Council of Heads of State in Bishkek on 1 September, the Uzbek presidential press service said.

The summit reviewed the results of 25 years of SCO activities, discussed strengthening stability and security, and addressed current international and regional issues. The meeting was chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and attended by the leaders of Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Pakistan, Russia, and Tajikistan, alongside the SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev and Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure Ularbek Sharsheyev.

Speaking at the summit, Mirziyoyev proposed drafting a concept document titled "SCO — 2040: Space of Common Development" to form an interconnected space for the free movement of investments, technologies, and knowledge. In the economic sphere, Mirziyoyev proposed developing an SCO Industrial Cooperation Map to unite special economic zones, manufacturing processes, markets, and logistics in a single digital space. He also asked the Council of Heads of Government to begin selecting transport, energy, industrial, and digital infrastructure projects for future implementation once the SCO Development Bank is launched.

Regarding digital technology and artificial intelligence, Mirziyoyev supported the initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization and suggested forming a partnership between the SCO and the new body. He also proposed creating an SCO Open Multilingual Data Corpus and expressed readiness to host an SCO forum on artificial intelligence and digital solutions.

To address climate challenges, the president proposed establishing a unified SCO agenda for food, water, and energy security through a specialized coordination mechanism, alongside a technological cooperation program for water and energy efficiency up to 2035.

To enhance transport connectivity, Mirziyoyev proposed considering the establishment of a Council for the Integration of SCO Member States' Railway Spaces. Addressing regional security, he called maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan a fundamental condition for development and proposed resuming regular SCO dialogue with Afghan representatives.

Mirziyoyev noted that the adoption of regulations on the Universal Center for Countering Security Challenges and Threats in Tashkent would mark a new stage in the SCO's institutional development, confirming that Uzbekistan will create the necessary conditions for its operation.

In cultural cooperation, he suggested preparing a program for preserving and promoting traditional art and intangible cultural heritage for 2028–2030.

Following the meeting, participating leaders signed a package of documents, including the Bishkek Declaration, a protocol amending the SCO Charter of 7 June 2002, and a declaration on strengthening multilateral partnership in nuclear and physical nuclear security. Mirziyoyev also congratulated Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Pakistan assuming the SCO presidency.