Cooperation for peace and sustainable development
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s article “The SCO Samarkand Summit: Dialogue and Cooperation in an Interconnected World” provides a detailed analysis of issues of strengthening mutual trust and cooperation on the path of development.
It is noted that Uzbekistan’s chairmanship in the SCO has fallen on a dynamic period, fraught with various events and trends – the period of the “historical rift”, when one era comes to an end and another begins – thus far unpredictable and unknown. It is an undeniable fact that the system of international cooperation based on universal principles and norms is beginning to give significant failures.
There is only one way out of the dangerous spiral of problems in an interconnected world where we all live today - through constructive dialogue and multilateral cooperation based on consideration and respect for the interests of everyone.
It is also noted that international cooperation that lies in the interest of everyone is impossible without multilateral institutions.
Indeed, in a short period, the SCO has become a major international organization, uniting about half of the population of our planet on the path of peaceful, sustainable development. Everyone knows the success of the organization in the fight against terrorism, the ideology of extremism and separatism.
The SCO member states are our closest neighbors, friends and strategic partners. Chairmanship gave us a good opportunity to further strengthen multilateral cooperation and expand bilateral cooperation with each of them, to outline new guidelines for an even deeper partnership.
Another factor of the international attractiveness of the organization, which should be recognized, is its non-aligned status, openness, non-targeting against third countries or international organizations, equality and respect for the sovereignty of all participants, refusal to interfere in internal affairs, prevention of political confrontation and confrontational rivalry.
The period of Uzbekistan’s chairmanship in the SCO in 2021-2022 under the slogan “The SCO is strong if each of us is strong” marked the transition to a new stage of cooperation.
It is no secret that Samarkand is an ancient city that makes an incomparable contribution to the development of the world community. This legendary city will open another page of the SCO’s success story. The glorious historical heritage of Samarkand will contribute to this. For many centuries, this city has connected countries from Europe to China like threads, connecting North and South, East and West into a single knot.
It is gratifying that today Samarkand is becoming a platform for historical dialogue, which will become the basis of regional development. As the President noted, the “Samarkand Spirit” is designed to naturally complement the very “Shanghai Spirit”, thanks to which more than 20 years ago our countries decided to create a new and eagerly sought organization.
Therefore, we can say with confidence that the SCO Samarkand Summit will serve to enhance mutually beneficial and multifaceted cooperation between the member states and the organization itself.
Zukhra Ibragimova,
Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis.
UzA
