On 16 November 2023, the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted a briefing for foreign media held by Murat Mukushev, national coordinator for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), on Kazakhstan’s SCO chairmanship in 2023-2024.
Murat Mukushev updated the foreign journalists on the SCO’s current activities and the main areas, priorities and goals of Kazakhstan’s SCO chairmanship.
He emphasised the importance of the events held by Kazakhstan to promote the member states’ cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas.
He said, in part, that “stability and sustainable development, mutual trade, digitisation, high technology and innovation, smart agriculture, transport connectivity, green development and food and environmental security in the interests of peace and prosperity have become common trends in the SCO.”
He also spoke about the joint efforts on Kazakhstan’s idea to formulate an SCO initiative on World Unity for a Just Peace and Harmony, discussions on creating an SCO Investment Fund and a partner network of major strategic ports and logistics centres, as well as practical measures to bolster cooperation in digitisation and environmental protection.
Murat Mukushev pointed out that high expectations are held for the SCO events planned for the Year of the Environment, the Digital Forum to support start-ups and innovations, and the international conference The Golden Horde and its Legacy, all scheduled for next year.
The national coordinator said in conclusion that the SCO continued to improve based on the principles of equality, mutual consultations and trust and respect for cultural diversity. He noted in this connection that one of the priorities of Kazakhstan’s SCO chairmanship was the development of a common strategic vision on ways to further enhance the organisation’s efficiency.