On June 2-4, the Public Diplomacy Forum of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held on “Building a community of cultural exchanges for new drivers of development”, in Wuhan (PRC).

The event was attended by about 500 people from China and other countries, including the SCO Secretary-General, representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in China, prominent scientists and experts from leading research institutes and think tanks from member states, observer countries and dialogue partners of the SCO. President of China Xi Jinping sent a special congratulatory letter to the forum participants.

The representative composition of the videoconference participants allowed to exchange views on strengthening multifaceted cultural and humanitarian interaction in the SCO space.

Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Eldor Aripov emphasized the importance of the event taking place during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the SCO. This date marks the entry of the organization to a new important stage in its activities.

ISRS Director noted that during this relatively short period of time the SCO has passed a solid path of formation and development, during which the countries of the Shanghai Family have demonstrated an effective model of multilateral interaction. At the same time, he focused on the importance of the initiatives put forward by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the establishment of permanent institutions of public diplomacy and the development of cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian dimension.

SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov noted the need for using the potential of states, international organizations and multilateral associations in the interests of forming a space in Eurasia of broad, open, mutually beneficial and equal cooperation to ensure security and sustainable development.

As the SCO Secretary-General noted, this is important at a time when the world is going through a stage of deep transformation, there is an exacerbation of the struggle in the information space, and the deterioration of the environment.

According to a representative of the Academy of Social Sciences, being at a new starting point of development, the SCO member states and partners should further jointly develop the Shanghai Spirit and consolidate efforts to create a community of shared destiny. He emphasized that since its establishment, the SCO has been based on the principles of justice, mutual trust and respect, as well as mutually beneficial cooperation and has established itself as a new model of international relations.

It was noted that the Forum of SCO Think Tanks is an effective platform for taking concrete actions to promote the practice of the Shanghai Spirit and implement the goals and objectives outlined by the heads of state at the Summits of the Organization.

Following the forum, the participants agreed to continue the practice of holding expert discussions on a wide range of issues to develop proposals and saturate the agenda of cooperation within the SCO.

UzA