SCO urges enhanced partnership for peace, prosperity

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of China and its partner countries, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has gained more significance as a unique, diverse and pragmatic organization within the context of a rising Asia.

It is unique in the sense that it is a partnership-based organization, not an alliance.

It promotes the ideology of dialogue and development simultaneously to address problems, argues that development holds the master key to solving issues, and encourages members to set aside their differences and focus on finding ways for cooperation for common welfare and building a community with a shared future.

The most important trait of the SCO is that it promotes peace and prosperity among diverse members, in the sense that it hosts four major nuclear powers: China, Russia, India and Pakistan.

Since its founding, it has worked to resolve issues through diplomatic dialogue and improve cooperation to support development, as is embodied in the "Shanghai Spirit".

The "Shanghai Spirit" can be summarized as the safeguarding of peace through dialogue, promotion of development through cooperation, and adherence to nonalignment and nontargeting of any third party.

The "Shanghai Spirit" also stands for embracing openness, rejecting the Cold War mentality, and advancing with the times.

It is pragmatic because it acts rationally by evaluating the situation and avoiding emotional or impulsive decisions. Its strategies and actions are grounded in reality and the needs of the member states.

To reinforce the message of peace and prosperity, the SCO adopted the Astana Declaration at the Astana meeting in 2024, which highlights the importance of peaceful and cooperative coexistence. It urges members to deepen counterterrorism cooperation and improve efforts to promote regional stability. It also emphasizes the importance of working with international organizations to fight terrorism and maintain stability in the region.

The main goal of the strategy is to achieve sustainable development and lasting peace through diverse and comprehensive actions. The pragmatic approach aims to boost growth, encourage development efforts, create opportunities for deeper cooperation, and ensure sustainable peace and prosperity.

A broad overview suggests that it will promote connectivity among members and attempt to link with connectivity initiatives of other forums, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, the Commonwealth of Independent States, or CIS, the Eurasian Economic Union, or EAEU, and others. The member states will also work to accelerate digital transformation and foster cooperation through platforms like the SCO Digital Economy Forum.

People-to-people connections and investment in common goods are other key focus areas of the strategy. Therefore, the member states will promote cultural exchanges and people-to-people interactions. Regarding common good, the focus is on ecological security, environmental protection and combating climate change.

The SCO has taken numerous steps to enhance economic and developmental cooperation, such as the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area in Qingdao, Shandong province, the SCO Digital Economy Forum, a special working group on poverty, and deepening financial cooperation through the SCO Interbank Consortium, among other initiatives.

The China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area in Qingdao helps build a corridor to facilitate the logistics of SCO member countries. It is also boosting industrial cooperation, and by 2023, it had attracted 70 projects valued at $27.9 billion.

The member states are also exploring the possibility of establishing an SCO Development Bank and a Free Trade Agreement.

Despite such positivity and the focus on peace and prosperity, the SCO faces negative campaigns against it from some Western countries. Recognizing the importance and strength of the SCO, they seize every chance to criticize or mock the SCO. They claim that the SCO is an "alliance" formed against Western countries and that it will function like NATO in the future. They also suggest that the SCO will restrict other countries' access to Eurasia and South Asia. These are all unfounded accusations and assumptions.

A careful look at the SCO's structure, areas of work and functions shows a completely different picture. What makes it important and growing is its emphasis on peace and prosperity, along with its inclusive, future-oriented, fair, rules-based and beneficial approach for all.

Unfortunately, anti-SCO forces are unwilling to accept these facts, and they continue to target the SCO, which will prove neither a desirable nor a sustainable attempt. It is advisable that some Western countries abandon their anti-SCO stance.

In conclusion, the SCO's diversity, pragmatic approach, unique philosophy and commitment to achieving sustainable development, peace and prosperity make it a dynamic organization attracting global attention.

By consolidating the "Shanghai Spirit" at this summit, the SCO would further promote the message of peace and prosperity, which is urgently needed today and certainly helps to create a community with a shared future for humanity.

The author is chief executive officer of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development in Pakistan.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.