Olga Lazorkina, analyst of the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Research, noted that one of the critical areas within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is food security.
MINSK, August 3. /TASS/. Belarus is ready to offer its partners in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization several measures to implement an economic development strategy aimed at ensuring food security, effective use of transport potential and stimulating trade. This was stated to TASS by Olga Lazorkina, analyst at the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Research (BISR).
"The action plan to implement the SCO Economic Development Strategy for the period until 2030, approved at the Astana summit, allows to try one's hand at the vast market of the Shanghai Nine. The plan implies the implementation of specific steps to stimulate trade, ensure food security, synchronize supply chains and production," the expert noted.
For its part, Belarus, according to Lazorkina, is ready to propose several specific measures that have already been tested within the framework of bilateral relations. First of all, the expert believes, we are talking about increasing the share of national currencies in settlements. The experience of financial cooperation with Russia and other countries has shown that such steps are not only "tactical, but also have the potential to develop a strategy for financial mechanisms alternative to Western ones," she said. The analyst noted that Belarus is ready to join the projects of the SCO Interbank Association aimed at organizing and improving the conditions for financing investment projects.
The BISR representative drew attention to the fact that one of the most important areas within the SCO is ensuring food security. She stated that Belarus has a resource basis that can significantly reduce the cost of final food products.
"Illegal unilateral sanctions on potash and other fertilizers have created a gap in implementing food security programs. The expansion of Belarus' presence in the global supply of potash fertilizers can stabilize this market by equalizing prices," Lazorkina added.
She recalled that today the SCO accounts for more than 70% of Belarus' trade turnover, "but everyone states that a huge untapped potential remains."
Logistics and technology
The Belarusian analyst is convinced that "logistics is the alpha and omega of the emerging multipolarity." "It is obvious that the premium conditions of the West in logistics require serious adjustments. The intensification of the construction of a full-fledged international North-South transport corridor is the best proof of this," the expert said. She emphasized that the Belarusian leadership, with the support of Russia, has been making "maximum efforts over the past three years not only to diversify the supply of goods, but also to form an association of like-minded people aimed at creating alternative supply chains." The analyst recalled that Belarus has taken the initiative to hold the SCO transport and logistics forum to find specific solutions and establish links between logistics companies.
Lazorkina considers ensuring technological sovereignty to be a "mega-goal of the Union State", which is receiving a new impetus. "Today is a time of breakthroughs in science, and the main thing is consistency and synchronization in the developments of scientists," she said. Belarus, the analyst stressed, has an authoritative base of scientists and special research structures that can be involved in a variety of areas within the SCO. These goals are planned to be implemented through a Young Scientists Forum and the Council of the Academies of Sciences of the SCO members, the expert said.
Lazorkina said that the SCO is a dynamically developing organism that has "huge potential to become the core of multipolarity." "Belarus, which was accepted into the SCO family with the unconditional support of the Member States, has indeed received not only tremendous opportunities for the country, but also opportunities to bring its own baggage of knowledge, skills and competencies," the expert noted. "Today, a strategy for Belarus' interaction with the SCO is being developed, which indicates not only an understanding of the importance of membership, but also that the story of success will depend on the efforts of Belarus itself," the analyst said.
Belarus became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization at the Astana summit in July 2024.
