The views of the world community are once again focused on Uzbekistan. On September 15-16, Samarkand will host a major international political event – the next SCO Summit.

The following important points should be noted regarding Uzbekistan’s participation in this summit and the activities of the SCO as a whole.

First, holding the SCO Summit in Samarkand has a deep symbolic meaning. It is known that in the Middle Ages Samarkand was the center of science, education, art and culture, an important crossroads of trade and economic routes. Another noteworthy aspect is that unique architectural objects were built in Samarkand at that time, not typical of the Middle Ages. At the same time, this city has witnessed many historical and major socio-political processes. In this sense, we can say that the rich history of Samarkand opens a new page in connection with the upcoming Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This is fully consistent with the basic values ​​and principles of the SCO – the presence of mutual interest, equality, diversity of cultures of the member states and respect for them.

In 2001, UNESCO declared Samarkand a World Heritage Site and Crossroad of Cultures, which is a high recognition.

One of the popular online publications in the United States, The Huffington Post, included Samarkand among the 50 cities in the world that travelers should visit.

Secondly, the Samarkand Summit is also significant in that it marks the beginning of the third decade of the SCO. It is known that Uzbekistan is one of the founders of this large Organization. In a historically short period, it has taken a firm place in the system of international relations and the world community.

In 2001, when the SCO was created, one of the main issues on the agenda was security. Today, the Organization’s field of vision includes politics, economics, medicine, transport, trade, culture, science and education, cultural and humanitarian ties. This indicates that the scope of its activities is expanding.

If we consider the figures, then the territory of the SCO member states is 34 million square kilometers. This is 60 percent of the territory of Eurasia. Almost half of the world’s population (3.4 billion) lives in the Member States. The total GNP is about a quarter of the world economy – 22 percent.

Most importantly, Uzbekistan is seen not as a peripheral state, but as an active participant and initiator of ongoing processes. Undoubtedly, the role of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev is great in this. 

Thirdly, in recent years, Uzbekistan has put forward many important proposals and initiatives within the Organization. Large-scale work has been carried out over the past year of Uzbekistan’s chairmanship in the SCO. Many events have been held in various areas: festivals, meetings of representatives of art and culture, events in tourism, sports competitions and meetings of heads of ministries and agencies. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Shanghai Spirit reigned in our country throughout the year.

Fourthly, it is known that two important links of the SCO operate in Tashkent, the symbolic wing – the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure and the Center for Public Diplomacy. There is a reason that I call these two structures important, since their activities complement each other and are interconnected. Cooperation and ties between people will not be perfect where security is not ensured. In turn, cultural and humanitarian relations develop if the peoples get closer, there will be no tension in a certain space. From this point of view, the location of these structures in Uzbekistan testifies to the high authority of our country in the Organization.

Fifthly, at the summit in Samarkand, we will witness the historical processes in the SCO. This is due not only to its geographical expansion, but also to the development of cultural, humanitarian, trade and economic ties.

In general, the Samarkand Summit will take an important place in the historical annals of the SCO and will undoubtedly serve as the foundation for the transition of the Organization’s activities to a new stage of development.

Abror YUSUPOV,

Head of Department at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the 

Republic of Uzbekistan

PhD in Political Science.

UzA