Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Vladimir Norov said this at an international scientific and practical video conference on the theme: "20 years of the SCO: from a regional forum to global recognition."

"The past two decades," he stressed, "have confirmed that the strategic choice to create the SCO, made in June 2001 by the heads of the founding states, turned out to be correct and far-sighted."

In his opinion, from the day of its establishment in a short period by historical standards, having passed the glorious path of its formation and development, the SCO, having stood the test of time, has achieved significant results in its activities and has earned wide international recognition as an authoritative and influential intergovernmental regional organization.

“The creation of the SCO was, first of all, a consequence of profound changes in the international landscape caused by the collapse of the bipolar system, the emergence of independent states in the center of Eurasia, unconventional challenges and threats to regional and international security,” said Vladimir Norov.

For the first time in a vast geopolitical space - the region of Eurasia - a political structure has emerged in the form of a multidisciplinary international association, whose work is based on the principles of partnership, equality and consensus decision-making.

According to the Secretary General, the Organization has set a unique precedent for a stable unification of states that are radically different in their military-political potential, financial and economic power, and socio-cultural tradition.

This became possible due to the fact that the founding states were able to form a common denominator that meets mutual interests and approaches, the cornerstone of which is consideration of interests and mutual respect for each other, refusal to interfere in internal affairs, forceful methods and claims to domination.

The online conference, organized by the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan on 20 August in Dushanbe, brought together a representative composition of participants from among leaders, diplomats, prominent scientists and experts from leading think tanks in Central Asia, the CIS, China, Pakistan , Iran, India, as well as representatives of international organizations such as the SCO, the CIS Executive Committee.