Issues of mutually beneficial participation in the activities of the SCO expressed in strategic documents

The most important political event of this week will be the 22nd summit of the heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which will be held on September 15-16 in the city of Samarkand. Anvarjon Mirkomilov, an expert of the Center for Development Strategy, announced this.

It should be noted that so far Uzbekistan has hosted SCO summits three times (2005-2006, 2009-2010 and 2015-2016), but all of them were held in the capital of the country, Tashkent. This time, the beautiful city of Samarkand was chosen as the destination. The choice of the city of Samarkand to host the conference, this time under the chairmanship of Uzbekistan, also has a deep symbolic meaning.

This ancient and majestic city occupies a special place in the history of our national statehood and world civilization as a whole. The city, founded by our grandfather Amir Temur, is located at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road and for many years served as a political and diplomatic center as the capital of a large kingdom, including twenty-seven states. World-famous scientists grew up here, who made many discoveries and inventions, who were engaged in science and created unique works that now occupy a place in the world cultural heritage.
I believe that today's Samarkand has the potential to organize and hold such major events at a high level, which in all respects should become historical conferences. Consistently continuing the glorious traditions that have developed on this land, large-scale work has been carried out in recent years to improve it and turn it into a real center of diplomacy.

One of the features of this conference is that the leaders of the countries for the first time in three years will meet at the summit face to face after the pandemic that has occurred around the world. It serves as a convenient opportunity and an effective platform for discussing regional and global issues that have accumulated during the pandemic.

Secondly, an event that is expected to be one of the important aspects of the meeting is the aspect related to the expansion of the organization. It is expected that at the same time a Memorandum of Obligations of Iran will be signed. This document will serve as the basis for resolving the issue of granting Iran the status of a SCO member state. That is, the Iranian side will be able to join the organization as a full member at the 2023 summit if it fulfills all its obligations.

Thirdly, it is expected that a decision will be made to expand the membership of the SCO partner countries for observation and dialogue.
Fourth, it is planned to adopt a comprehensive plan for the implementation of a long-term agreement on good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation between the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for 2023-2027.

It should be noted that the issue of mutually beneficial participation of our country in such international organizations is closely related to the adopted strategies and government programs and found expression in them. In the new document of the Development Strategy of Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, adopted on January 28 of this year, goal No. 93 defines “increasing the role of the country as an equal subject in international relations.” In particular, the tasks of maintaining a balanced, ongoing dialogue with partner countries and within the framework of international organizations on regional and global issues, holding bilateral and multilateral meetings with them, organizing consultations in the political, economic and cultural spheres and at various levels are defined.

Paragraph 349 of the state program regarding the implementation this year of the “Year of Glorification of Human Dignity and Active Mahalla” separately identifies the task of effectively and actively implementing the chairmanship of Uzbekistan at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It also notes the organization of activities to promote the positions and global initiatives of Uzbekistan on regional and international issues at major events (within international organizations and on the basis of partnerships with foreign partners, as well as bilateral conferences, forums, seminars and round tables).

Based on the above goals and objectives, during the chairmanship of Uzbekistan in the SCO, more than 80 events were held in all areas of cooperation. As a result of this work, it is planned to submit more than 30 documents for signing at the upcoming summit.

"In conclusion, I am sure that the upcoming conference will lay the foundation for important positive changes in the history of the SCO and will be held in the spirit of mutually beneficial, sincere dialogue, constructive and friendly attitude towards all countries," said Anvarjon Mirkomilov.