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SCO Summit 2024 and Pakistan’s Role in Regional Connectivity

5 minutes read

SCO Summit 2024 and Pakistan’s Role in Regional Connectivity

5 minutes read

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of regional connectivity and cooperation while presiding over the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Islamabad on October 16, 2024. The summit brought together leaders from key Eurasian nations, including China, India, Russia, and Pakistan, alongside other member states, to discuss collaborative efforts in economic integration, poverty alleviation, climate action, and counter-terrorism.

Pakistan’s Role in SCO and Vision for Connectivity

Pakistan, a full member of the SCO since 2017, played a crucial role in the summit as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG). Addressing the gathering, PM Shehbaz stressed the need to invest in the region’s collective capacity for connectivity, which he described as vital for economic growth and integration. He highlighted key infrastructure projects such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), urging SCO members to look beyond political differences and focus on shared goals of economic development.

“The SCO connectivity framework should not merely boost regional trade but also advance the vision of a connected Eurasia,” said PM Shehbaz. He advocated for the expansion of road, rail, and digital infrastructure to create an economically integrated region, benefiting all member states.

Economic Collaboration and Infrastructure Development

PM Shehbaz emphasized that economic collaboration lies at the heart of the SCO’s objectives. He urged member states to endorse a strategy for Energy Cooperation 2030 and proposed the establishment of an Association of Investors to promote regional development. Pakistan’s leadership, he noted, had focused on enhancing trade promotion, creative economy frameworks, and new economic dialogues during its tenure as chair of the CHG.

A key outcome of the summit was a call for reforms in the global financial architecture. PM Shehbaz underscored the importance of utilizing mutual currencies for settlements within the SCO, noting that such a move could shield member states from global financial disruptions.

Poverty, Climate Change, and Regional Stability

In his address, PM Shehbaz also highlighted the pressing issues of poverty and climate change. He described poverty as a “moral imperative” requiring urgent collective action. Under Pakistan’s chairmanship, the SCO facilitated several initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation, including seminars and webinars. The prime minister pledged to continue efforts to address the root causes of poverty in the region.

Regarding climate change, PM Shehbaz recalled Pakistan’s devastating floods in 2022, which caused approximately $30 billion in losses. He advocated for the use of tech-driven systems, such as Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), to improve disaster preparedness across the region. He also called for greater cooperation in addressing climate-related challenges, which he described as an “existential crisis” for the region.

Afghanistan and Regional Security

A significant focus of PM Shehbaz’s address was on Afghanistan, which he termed essential for realizing the region’s economic potential. He called for stability in Afghanistan, emphasizing that the country’s situation presents a rare opportunity for trade and transit within the SCO. The premier urged the international community to provide humanitarian support to Afghanistan and encouraged the Afghan interim government to embrace political inclusivity, warning that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against neighboring countries.

Gaza Conflict and Humanitarian Concerns

In his closing remarks, PM Shehbaz took the opportunity to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed in a year-long Israeli military offensive. “We cannot ignore the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” he said, calling on the international community to demand an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the establishment of a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds as its capital.

India’s Perspective on Terrorism, Regional Cooperation, and Mutual Respect

India’s Minister for External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, delivered a pointed address at the SCO summit, emphasizing India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism and its detrimental impact on regional connectivity and cooperation. Jaishankar’s remarks reflected India’s long-standing stance on terrorism, with indirect references to Pakistan, which India has frequently accused of harboring militant groups that carry out attacks on Indian soil.

Jaishankar underscored that terrorism, extremism, and separatism—the “three evils” as defined by the SCO charter—must be countered with firm and uncompromising resolve. He stated that these activities not only undermine trust between nations but also impede the flow of trade, energy, and people-to-people exchanges. “If activities across borders are characterized by terrorism, extremism, and separatism, they are hardly likely to encourage trade, energy flows, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges in parallel,” he remarked.

Addressing the summit in Islamabad, Jaishankar emphasized that trust and cooperation are essential for peace and stability in the region. He argued that mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty should guide regional cooperation and urged SCO members not to “cherry-pick” practices that undermine these principles. “Development and growth require peace and stability,” he noted, adding that cooperation must be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality.

Conclusion and the Path Forward

As the summit concluded, PM Shehbaz handed over the chairmanship of the CHG to Russia’s Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, assuring Pakistan’s full support to Russia’s presidency. The summit served as a reminder of the SCO’s significance as a platform for multilateralism, fostering cooperation across diverse sectors such as trade, economy, security, and humanitarian concerns.

PM Shehbaz’s concluding message was a call for unity and collaboration: “Let us forge concrete action plans that will benefit our economies and societies. Together, we have the potential to drive socio-economic progress, enhance regional peace and stability, and improve the quality of life for our citizens.”

As Pakistan steps back from the chairmanship of the CHG, the outcomes of the 23rd SCO Summit mark a step forward in enhancing regional connectivity and addressing shared challenges in the Eurasian political and security landscape.

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