Belarus is an active participant in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and offers many initiatives to develop cooperation between countries in the fields of trade, investment, industrial cooperation, and culture. This was stated to journalists by SCO Secretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev, who arrived in Belarus at the head of the SCO observation mission for the presidential elections, BelTA says.
Belarus has been moving towards acceding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for many years: it participated in the SCO since 2010 as a dialogue partner and since 2015 as an observer. In July 2024, our country became a full member of the Organization. "The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is very happy about this. Our Organization has welcomed a very active and reputable state. Even as an observer, the Belarusian side has made and continues to make very interesting practical proposals for cooperation in various areas. Once Belarus had become a full SCO member, an important event was held - the Day of National Cultures of the SCO member states at the Slavyansky Bazar International Art Festival in Vitebsk. This is just one example of how actively Belarus participates in the SCO activities. In addition, a number of other initiatives have been put forward in the fields of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, industrial cooperation, investment cooperation, and trade," Nurlan Yermekbayev said.
According to him, the Agro-SCO exposition will be held at the Belagro exhibition this year, if the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states agree to it. There are also plans for the SCO to participate in the Slavyansky Bazar festival in Vitebsk. "In total, more than 200 different events are planned this year. Both official ones, such as meetings of ministers, chairmen of committees, heads of various government bodies, and those initiated by the participating countries themselves. This year, the SCO's theme is sustainable development. Therefore, of course, all states are trying to hold relevant events. This topic is very extensive, including green energy, poverty reduction, education, and healthcare. The SCO is a multifunctional and diverse organization, so we are working in all directions," the SCO Secretary General said.
The trip to Belarus is one of the first foreign visits of Nurlan Yermekbayev as the SCO Secretary General. This morning, first of all, he visited the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Research (BISR). "This is a well-known institution not only in the SCO space, but also far beyond. Since last year, the BISR has been defined as a national research center in the SCO Forum. This platform is engaged in research and analytical work not only in the interests of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, but also in a broader international context, and develops proposals for further development of cooperation in the SCO. The Belarusian Institute of Strategic Research is already actively participating in these events. We expect that this year the BISR will also take an active part in the SCO Forum meeting. In addition, a consortium of economic analytical centers operates within the SCO. The Belarusian Institute of Strategic Research is also involved in it. These two forums represent a very important area of activity for the SCO member states and partners - an analytical scientific justification for ensuring the activities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. I think we have a lot to talk about with Belarusian analysts, there are issues on which we can exchange views so that our cooperation can bring practical benefits to all SCO member states," the SCO Secretary General noted.