Kazakhstan finalises preparations for SCO Summit

Summit will be held under the motto "Strengthening multilateral dialogue – the pursuit of sustainable peace and development".

The leaders of SCO+ intend to focus primarily on international trade and economy to ensure stability. The summit will also discuss regional security, infrastructure, energy, environment, healthcare, tourism, education, digitalisation, transport and logistics.

Mikhail Khachaturyan, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor at the Department of Strategic and Innovative Development of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, said that the Astana summit should determine the future vector of development of the economic component of the SCO.

"Important aspects will be the discussion of options for financial and economic cooperation, development of the banking system, industrial cooperation, technological projects in the field of nuclear energy, medicine, education and culture. SCO is a platform for dialogue and interaction. Thus, Russia, India and China seek to make the SCO one of the actors of the emerging new world order based on trust and mutual respect for the economic, social, cultural and political interests of all participants in international communication"

Mikhail Khachaturyan Expert in economics of BRICS and SCO countries

One of the most expected outcomes of the SCO summit is the accession of Belarus to the membership of the association.

China is confident that the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana will contribute to strengthening the security and stability of all countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a briefing, as reported Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

"The upcoming SCO summit is the most important event within the framework of the SCO this year, during which President Xi will engage in in-depth discussions with leaders of other participating countries on deepening cooperation across various fields"

Mao Ning Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson

The event is expected to be attended by the heads of state and government of Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Kyrgyzstan, China, Mongolia, the UAE, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Qatar and Uzbekistan. SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will also attend the summit.

After the Astana summit, China will assume the SCO's rotating presidency for the 2024-2025 period.