Kazakhstan has put
forward new initiatives to strengthen cooperation within the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed a meeting
of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Bishkek. The Head of State identified
strengthening economic cooperation and developing digital technologies and
artificial intelligence as key priorities. He also supported the establishment
of an SCO Development Bank and said Kazakhstan was ready to host its
headquarters. Another proposal is to create a network of AI centers under the
auspices of the SCO, bringing together universities, research institutions, and
technology companies. Kazakhstan also proposed launching SCO cross-border trade
zones based on existing border cooperation centers. Today, total trade among
SCO member states is approaching $1 trillion.
«Kazakhstan advocates the creation
of a broad SCO trade and investment space with minimal barriers, digital procedures,
and well-developed transport and logistics connectivity. We believe it is
important to move from agreements to concrete initiatives. We propose
introducing a mechanism for pilot industrial consortia that would enable states
to implement projects as they become ready, without waiting for all
participants to join. Successful initiatives could then be scaled up across the
Organization,» President Tokayev said.
President
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also placed particular emphasis on the SCO’s transport
potential. Key Eurasian routes linking major markets in the East and West pass
through SCO member states. Kazakhstan, located at the crossroads of these
routes, continues to develop its transit infrastructure. According to the
President, further strengthening transport connectivity should become one of
the practical areas of cooperation among SCO member states.
«Kazakhstan
is ready to support the advancement of transport initiatives across the entire SCO
space. We support the digitalization of customs procedures, mutual recognition
of electronic documents, the use of green corridors, and other modern
mechanisms. An effective solution could be the creation of a Unified SCO
Digital Transit Platform to facilitate the seamless movement of cargo from the
point of departure to the final destination. We propose developing and adopting
an SCO Transport Connectivity Strategy through 2035,» President Tokayev
added.
Following the
meeting, the heads of state signed a package of documents covering various
areas of cooperation. The key document was the Bishkek Declaration on the 25th
Anniversary of the SCO. Notably, Pakistan will assume the SCO chairmanship for
the 2026-2027 period.
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