Speech by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Uzbekistan
Dear Sadyr Nurgozhoevich! Dear Heads of Delegations! I express my sincere gratitude to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov, for the warm welcome and excellent organization of the summit.
I heartily congratulate the fraternal Kyrgyz people on the 35th anniversary of state sovereignty. We are pleased to see Kyrgyzstan's impressive development momentum and the consistent strengthening of its authority in the international arena.
Thank you all for your kind wishes on the occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
I join you in congratulating Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev on the opening of the first session of the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Dear participants of the meeting!
We highly appreciate the fruitful results of Kyrgyzstan's chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and support the agenda and draft decisions of today's meeting.
This summit is taking place in the year of the 25th anniversary of the SCO.
I fully agree with my colleagues' assessment that time has proven the relevance of this platform and the effectiveness of this format. Guided by the principles of the "Shanghai Spirit," the organization has ensured equal dialogue and promoted regional stability and sustainable development in our countries.
Since the early days of the SCO's founding, Uzbekistan has consistently supported its strengthening as an open, non-aligned, and peaceful platform for cooperation.
We particularly appreciate that Central Asia—the geographic and strategic core of the SCO—is the focus of our cooperation.
Dear colleagues!
Our meeting is taking place in an era of geopolitical division, a growing trust deficit, escalating conflicts, and the erosion of international law.
The developments in the Middle East are of particular concern.
We firmly support the resumption of dialogue and de-escalation in the region.
Dear Heads of Delegation!
I would like to address the most pressing challenges facing the SCO. Today, it is important not only to effectively address emerging issues but also to clearly understand what kind of organization we want to see in the long term.
The competitiveness of our countries will directly depend on our willingness to pool our potential and create new opportunities for joint development.
I am convinced that the vast human, natural, industrial, and intellectual resources of the SCO countries should work, first and foremost, to improve the well-being of our peoples.
In this regard, I propose developing a conceptual vision, "SCO 2040: A Space for Common Development." Its main goal should be the creation of an interconnected and sustainable space where investment, technology, and knowledge can be freely exchanged, major infrastructure and industrial projects are implemented, and direct ties between regions, businesses, and people are expanded.
The economic dimension is an important priority and the main indicator of the SCO's effectiveness.
In recent years, the geography and areas of our business cooperation have been steadily expanding. Uzbekistan is implementing over 1,500 joint projects with SCO countries, and mutual trade and investment volumes are growing. This momentum must be channeled into the development of sustainable multilateral value chains.
To this end, we propose developing an SCO Industrial Cooperation Map, which will unite special economic zones, production processes, sales markets, and logistics. This will effectively create a universal digital window for businesses, investors, and government agencies.
We believe it is essential to move immediately from agreeing on general principles to the practical launch of the SCO Development Bank.
The work of this institution should be based on mature investment proposals of pan-regional significance. The Council of Heads of Government should begin compiling a portfolio of priority projects in the areas of transport, energy, industrial cooperation, and digital infrastructure.
We welcome the initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping to establish a Global Organization for Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence. I believe the SCO should be among the first partners of this new technological Alliance.
To unite our efforts to develop artificial intelligence, we also propose a resolution to establish an SCO Open Multilingual Data Corpus.
Furthermore, we are prepared to host the SCO Forum on Artificial Intelligence and New Digital Solutions in Tashkent next year.
Dear friends!
Climate challenges are increasingly impacting the food, water, and energy security of our countries. The current situation dictates the need to develop a unified agenda within the SCO on these closely interconnected issues.
To advance this, we propose creating a specialized SCO mechanism that will coordinate comprehensive programs, technology exchange, and advanced knowledge sharing. One step in this direction could be the development of an SCO Technological Cooperation Program in Water and Energy Efficiency until 2035.
It is critically important to continue developing a comprehensive system of international transport corridors.
I believe it would be appropriate to establish a Council for the Integration of Railway Spaces of SCO Member States. We see its priority as coordinating the development of logistics infrastructure and ensuring seamless integration of national transport systems.
Maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan is fundamental to the security and development of our region. We all need a prosperous neighboring country integrated into constructive regional processes.
The time has come to resume regular dialogue between the SCO and Afghanistan to discuss a wide range of security and economic cooperation issues.
I am confident that the adoption today of the Protocol on Amendments and Supplements to the SCO Charter, as well as the provisions on the Universal Center and the Anti-Drug Center, marks the beginning of a new stage in the institutional development of our Organization.
I assure you that we will create all the necessary conditions for the effective operation of the Universal Center for Countering Security Challenges and Threats in Tashkent.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation remains our unwavering focus.
In support of the further strengthening of the friendly ties between our peoples, I propose preparing a Cooperation Program for the Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Arts and Intangible Cultural Heritage for 2028-2030.
Distinguished Heads of Delegation!
In conclusion, I would like to join in congratulating the esteemed Mr. Shahbaz Sharif on the Islamic Republic of Pakistan's assumption of the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Uzbekistan is ready to continue to contribute to strengthening the spirit of mutual respect, good-neighborliness, and trust – for the sake of stability and prosperity in our vast region.
Thank you all for your kind wishes on the occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
I join you in congratulating Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev on the opening of the first session of the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Dear participants of the meeting!
We highly appreciate the fruitful results of Kyrgyzstan's chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and support the agenda and draft decisions of today's meeting.
This summit is taking place in the year of the 25th anniversary of the SCO.
I fully agree with my colleagues' assessment that time has proven the relevance of this platform and the effectiveness of this format. Guided by the principles of the "Shanghai Spirit," the organization has ensured equal dialogue and promoted regional stability and sustainable development in our countries.
Since the early days of the SCO's founding, Uzbekistan has consistently supported its strengthening as an open, non-aligned, and peaceful platform for cooperation.
We particularly appreciate that Central Asia—the geographic and strategic core of the SCO—is the focus of our cooperation.
Dear colleagues!
Our meeting is taking place in an era of geopolitical division, a growing trust deficit, escalating conflicts, and the erosion of international law.
The developments in the Middle East are of particular concern.
We firmly support the resumption of dialogue and de-escalation in the region.
Dear Heads of Delegation!
I would like to address the most pressing challenges facing the SCO. Today, it is important not only to effectively address emerging issues but also to clearly understand what kind of organization we want to see in the long term.
The competitiveness of our countries will directly depend on our willingness to pool our potential and create new opportunities for joint development.
I am convinced that the vast human, natural, industrial, and intellectual resources of the SCO countries should work, first and foremost, to improve the well-being of our peoples.
In this regard, I propose developing a conceptual vision, "SCO 2040: A Space for Common Development." Its main goal should be the creation of an interconnected and sustainable space where investment, technology, and knowledge can be freely exchanged, major infrastructure and industrial projects are implemented, and direct ties between regions, businesses, and people are expanded.
The economic dimension is an important priority and the main indicator of the SCO's effectiveness.
In recent years, the geography and areas of our business cooperation have been steadily expanding. Uzbekistan is implementing over 1,500 joint projects with SCO countries, and mutual trade and investment volumes are growing. This momentum must be channeled into the development of sustainable multilateral value chains.
To this end, we propose developing an SCO Industrial Cooperation Map, which will unite special economic zones, production processes, sales markets, and logistics. This will effectively create a universal digital window for businesses, investors, and government agencies.
We believe it is essential to move immediately from agreeing on general principles to the practical launch of the SCO Development Bank.
The work of this institution should be based on mature investment proposals of pan-regional significance. The Council of Heads of Government should begin compiling a portfolio of priority projects in the areas of transport, energy, industrial cooperation, and digital infrastructure.
We welcome the initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping to establish a Global Organization for Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence. I believe the SCO should be among the first partners of this new technological Alliance.
To unite our efforts to develop artificial intelligence, we also propose a resolution to establish an SCO Open Multilingual Data Corpus.
Furthermore, we are prepared to host the SCO Forum on Artificial Intelligence and New Digital Solutions in Tashkent next year.
Dear friends!
Climate challenges are increasingly impacting the food, water, and energy security of our countries. The current situation dictates the need to develop a unified agenda within the SCO on these closely interconnected issues.
To advance this, we propose creating a specialized SCO mechanism that will coordinate comprehensive programs, technology exchange, and advanced knowledge sharing. One step in this direction could be the development of an SCO Technological Cooperation Program in Water and Energy Efficiency until 2035.
It is critically important to continue developing a comprehensive system of international transport corridors.
I believe it would be appropriate to establish a Council for the Integration of Railway Spaces of SCO Member States. We see its priority as coordinating the development of logistics infrastructure and ensuring seamless integration of national transport systems.
Maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan is fundamental to the security and development of our region. We all need a prosperous neighboring country integrated into constructive regional processes.
The time has come to resume regular dialogue between the SCO and Afghanistan to discuss a wide range of security and economic cooperation issues.
I am confident that the adoption today of the Protocol on Amendments and Supplements to the SCO Charter, as well as the provisions on the Universal Center and the Anti-Drug Center, marks the beginning of a new stage in the institutional development of our Organization.
I assure you that we will create all the necessary conditions for the effective operation of the Universal Center for Countering Security Challenges and Threats in Tashkent.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation remains our unwavering focus.
In support of the further strengthening of the friendly ties between our peoples, I propose preparing a Cooperation Program for the Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Arts and Intangible Cultural Heritage for 2028-2030.
Distinguished Heads of Delegation!
In conclusion, I would like to join in congratulating the esteemed Mr. Shahbaz Sharif on the Islamic Republic of Pakistan's assumption of the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Uzbekistan is ready to continue to contribute to strengthening the spirit of mutual respect, good-neighborliness, and trust – for the sake of stability and prosperity in our vast region.
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