The 14th Meeting of the Heads of Governments (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on Regional Economic Cooperation was held in Zhengzhou, China.
Participants – PM of Kazakhstan K Masimov, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, PM of Kyrgyzstan T Sariev, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, PM of Tajikistan K Rasulzoda and First Deputy PM of Uzbekistan R Azimov and representatives of observer states. India, which is a complied state at present, was represented by Minister of State for External Affairs Gen V K Singh.
Key discussions
- Exchanged views on a wide range of issues of international and regional economic growth.
- Discussed prospects and measures for improving economic and humanitarian cooperation for further strengthening of mutual understanding and traditional friendship between peoples of the SCO member states.
- Leaders issued a joint statement on regional economic cooperation which emphasized the importance of China’s One Belt, One Road initiative* for developing infrastructure in the region.
*China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) project aims to recreate the ancient Silk Road trade and infrastructure networks across central, west and south Asia.
About Shanghai Cooperation Organization
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) or Shanghai Pact is an intergovernmental organization founded in Shanghai 2001 by the leaders of China, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
- This year India and Pakistan were allowed accepted as the full members of the organization.
- There are four observer states at present – Afghanistan, Belarus, Mongolia and Iran.
The main objectives of the SCO:
- Strengthen relations among member states.
- Promote cooperation in political affairs, economics and trade, scientific-technical, cultural, and educational spheres as well as in energy, transportation, tourism, and environmental protection
- Safeguard regional peace, security, and stability.