Inclusive Shanghai Spirit guides SCO
Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the SCO in Islamabad and paid an official visit to Pakistan from Monday to Thursday.
The SCO heads of government meeting in Islamabad presented the opportunity to reflect on the significance of the SCO as a regional organization as well as its leadership which has been pivotal in shaping its future.
Pakistan, under Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, presided over the SCO meeting in Islamabad, focusing on economic cooperation, environmental sustainability and cultural and people-to-people linkages. This reflects Pakistan’s growing role in the SCO as a country committed to fostering regional stability and development. The SCO’s focus on combating terrorism, facilitating economic integration, and intensifying people-to-people exchanges is in line with Pakistan’s priorities. Hence, the country is well-positioned to contribute to the SCO’s future growth.
It should be noted that under Chinese President Xi Jinping’s guidance, the SCO has adhered to the Shanghai Spirit, which emphasizes mutual benefit, consultation, and respect for diversity — a model that contrasts sharply with partnerships and alliances built on the basis of hegemony.
To begin with, the top Chinese leader has consistently emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation, common development, peace and a more representative global governance system. He prioritizes regional peace and development through mechanisms such as the Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation. The treaty exemplifies the SCO prefers peace and dialogue over conflict. The Islamabad meeting further strengthened these commitments, and explored new avenues of cooperation, particularly in economic and cultural exchanges.
Pakistan’s participation in the SCO has been marked by a commitment to safeguarding regional security and promoting development, and the SCO meeting in Islamabad demonstrated the country’s commitment to enhance multilateral cooperation in the region.
The organization has undertaken joint counter-terrorism exercises and border control operations, and established mechanisms to curb cybercrime, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.
Pakistan, as a key player in these initiatives, has benefited immensely from the SCO’s collective security framework, and the just-concluded meeting demonstrated its willingness to enhance security cooperation in the face of evolving threats.
Guided by the Shanghai spirit, the SCO has facilitated trade and investment among member states, with the resulting economic integration being a testament to the SCO’s efficiency and its focus on improving the lives of peoples in other SCO member countries. Initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative have further enhanced economic connectivity, promoting infrastructure development, trade, and technological advancement across the region.
To Pakistan, the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor offer significant opportunities for economic growth. In fact, the SCO meeting in Islamabad explored ways to further align the development policies of SCO member states in order to advance trade, increase investment and deepen digital cooperation. China’s call for deeper integration in areas such as the digital economy, green energy and modern agriculture is particularly important for Pakistan, as it seeks to diversify its economy and create new growth drivers.
The SCO places great emphasis on cultural and people-to-people exchanges. This aspect of the SCO’s work is crucial for fostering mutual understanding and friendship among its diverse member states. Initiatives such as the SCO University, SCO Youth Forum, and various cultural and educational exchange programs have helped bridge the cultural divides and strengthen the bonds between the peoples of SCO member countries.
Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and its long history of friendship with China provide a strong foundation for these exchanges, with the Islamabad meeting giving Pakistan a great opportunity to expand people-to-people programs.
As the world undergoes profound changes, from shifting geopolitical dynamics to climate change, the role of the SCO in maintaining global stability has never been more important. The SCO is marked by a commitment to multilateralism and international justice.
Pakistan, as a member of the SCO, stands to benefit from this multilateral approach, not least because the organization provides Pakistan with a platform to engage with regional powers on an equal footing, addressing common challenges and seizing opportunities for development.
China’s vision for the SCO is one of shared prosperity and mutual respect, which ensures the SCO remains a key player in global governance, and a promoter of a fairer and more representative world order. As Pakistan takes its place at the forefront of the SCO, it is poised to play a vital role in shaping the future of this important organization, working alongside China and the other member states to build a more secure and prosperous world.
The author is president of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development and an expert in multilateralism and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
