Kazakhstan to propose global peace initiative during SCO presidency

Astana, Jul 4 (EFE).- Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, whose country is set to hold the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) presidency in 2024, announced on Tuesday that he would introduce a worldwide peace initiative aimed at establishing principles for building trust measures and maintaining stability and security.

“In the context of a radical transformation of the global world order, we are witnessing an unprecedented escalation in geopolitical tensions, intensifying trade wars and sanctions, and many other modern challenges,” Kazakhstan’s president said during his address at the SCO teleconference summit.

He argued that it was becoming commonplace to “undermine the foundations of international law and its crucial principle of equitable, joint, indivisible, integrated, and sustainable security.”

“We must continue to commit ourselves to building a more representative, democratic, and multipolar world with the central and coordinating role of the UN,” he stressed.

The Kazakh head of state pointed out to his counterparts from Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan that the SCO’s first priority should be ensuring security and stability within its sphere of influence.

“At this stage, the primary task of our countries should be to prevent a geopolitical rupture between East and West” and so Kazakhstan’s rotating presidency will introduce an initiative “on global unity for fair peace and harmony,” he said.

“This comprehensive document will establish the principles of building trust-building measures, maintaining stability, and security,” Tokayev said.

He said Astana’s focus during its term would also continue to be the fight against transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, and cybercrime.

Tokayev also suggested expanding the SCO’s trade and economic ties by taking advantage of geographic connectivity, transit and transport opportunities, and the prominent market and complementarity of economies.

He recalled that the SCO represents nearly half the world’s population and its countries account for 25% of the global GDP and more than 15% of international trade.

“Despite all this, it must be acknowledged that for over 20 years, it has not been possible to implement a single significant economic project under the auspices of the SCO,” he lamented.

Tokayev pointed out that the participation of SCO countries in the Belt and Road mega-project, and the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, “creates all the prerequisites to unlock the great potential of the North-South and East-West corridors.”

As a practical measure, the leader proposed creating a common investment fund and a network of partners of major strategic ports and logistics centers.

Other priorities for the alliance should include adopting an energy strategy at the next summit, and expanding cooperation in the digital domain, for which he offered Kazakhstan as the SCO’s “digital hub,” Tokayev said.

Furthermore, he argued, the organization should strengthen cooperation in the field of ecology and develop tourism in the SCO region, given that it covers 45% of the world’s population and possesses enormous touristic potential. EFE

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