【innovative film city bangalore】Belarus joins SCO as 10th member, highlighting bloc's growing appeal
by Xinhua writers Lu Jiafei,innovative film city bangalore Zhang Jiye, An Xiaomeng ASTANA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- In a major development for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Belarus was formally accepted as the 10th member state of the inter-governmental organization on Thursday. The latest expansion bolsters the SCO's capacity for regional cooperation and strengthens its influence on the global stage, underscoring its role as a vital platform for addressing contemporary security and economic challenges. The accession of Belarus was formalized at the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO. "Belarus is very proud to become a full member of the SCO. We will strengthen the Shanghai Spirit of the organization based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, and solidarity," said Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko here on Thursday. Since its inception in China's Shanghai in 2001, the SCO has so far expanded from a regional organization with six members into a trans-regional organization with 10 full members, two observer countries, and 14 dialogue partners. It is expected that Belarus will leverage its unique advantages to invigorate the organization with new energy, said Yuri Yarmolinsky, an analyst with the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Research. Belarus views the SCO as a key platform that expands opportunities for cooperation across the Eurasian continent, he said, noting that in a turbulent world, Belarus sees the SCO as a crucial pillar of support. Currently, Belarus maintains robust trade relations with Russia and China, both members of the SCO. In the first four months of this year, trade turnover between Belarus and Russia reached 2.9 trillion rubles (approximately 33.62 billion U.S. dollars), according to official Russian data. China ranks as Belarus' second-largest trading partner, and Belarus is among the fastest-growing trade partners for China in the Eurasian region. Belarus' membership in the SCO could substantially increase its trade volume with other member states, tapping into a consumer market that encompasses nearly half of the world's population. SCO membership could also enhance Belarus' appeal as an investment destination. As a key participant in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Belarus stands to gain from additional infrastructure investments, including railway and road networks, energy pipelines, and industrial parks. Belarus and other aspirants are attracted to the SCO for reasons beyond mere economic interests. Since its establishment in 2001, this multilateral body has become an essential platform for promoting justice, equality, as well as inclusive security and development in international relations. Noting that the SCO was founded at the turn of the century when confrontations and divisions left by the Cold War had yet to be resolved, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Thursday that the SCO founding members made a historical decision to pursue peaceful development, commit to good-neighborliness and friendship, and build a new type of international relations. The SCO has withstood the test of the changing international landscape, the root cause of which lies in the fact that SCO members remain committed to the fine tradition of solidarity and coordination, the way of cooperation featuring equality and mutual benefit, the value pursuit on fairness and justice, and the broad-mindedness of inclusiveness and mutual learning, Xi said when attending the 24th SCO summit. "For some other organizations, they are experiencing a crisis of identity and relevance, questioning whether they are still needed," said former SCO Secretary-General Bolat Nurgaliyev. When it comes to the SCO, it is clear that the organization "remains true to its original mission, which continues to be successfully carried out," he said. Nurgaliyev noted the unique model of interaction offered by the SCO, characterized by equal and mutually beneficial cooperation. This approach is founded on a shared understanding of various challenges and threats among member countries, he said, adding that the SCO emphasizes the importance of developing collaborative approaches and joint responses to complex situations as they arise. The international system with the United Nations at its core is facing multiple threats and challenges unprecedented in modern history, according to an initiative calling for solidarity among countries to promote world justice, harmony and development issued on Thursday at the SCO Astana summit. The SCO, it said, is firmly committed to giving full play to the central coordinating role of the United Nations, supporting the universally recognized norms of international law and building a more representative, just and democratic multipolar world system, in which all countries, regardless of their geographical location, territorial size, political, economic and social structure, shall have equal access to development opportunities. The pledge of the SCO to promote multipolarity came at a time when some countries in the West are trying to peddle the narrative of a "rules-based world order." "We see that the number of those wishing to become members, observers, dialogue partners is constantly growing," said Nurgaliyev. "This is proof that the SCO is a very popular and effective structure that has found its niche in the system of international security and cooperation." The importance of the SCO for all member countries is hard to overestimate, as it contributes to strengthening their national security, economic development, and cultural exchange, said Serik Korzhumbayev, editor-in-chief of the Delovoy Kazakhstan newspaper. In the face of modern international challenges, the SCO's significance only grows, providing member countries a platform for cooperation and interaction in the interests of sustainable development and peaceful coexistence, he said. Enditem (Xinhua reporters Sun Hao, Zhao Yan, Ma Zheng, Miao Xiaojuan, Dan Ran, Hao Weiwei, Lu Jinbo in Astana also contributed to the story.)
- 最近发表
-
- Hanfu display event held in London to celebrate upcoming Mid
- 西门子iQ700超氧洗烘套装重磅上市,智能洗烘科技助力梅雨季衣物无忧
- 出行平台“决战”港交所
- CFCA深耕数字身份 夯实金融业可信身份与信息安全基础
- Lebanon's Hezbollah, Israeli forces exchange fire in border area
- 出色好屏 高效随行!荣耀平板MagicPad2正式发布 售价2899元起
- 再次刷新折叠屏旗舰轻薄记录,荣耀Magic V3正式发布起售价8999元
- 赛美特公布半年业绩:二季度销售额超1.5亿,半年度销售额超3亿
- Flamingos seen at Salt Lake in Ankara, Türkiye
- 实施行业联动,上海缩短家电服务响应时间
- 随机阅读
-
- Fragrance of lotus flowers attract viewers across China
- 携手菁英茶 智汇新智变 数智商务茶饮助力2024中国互联网大会
- 湖南公示省自科基金项目变更
- 宝马中国回应退出价格战:下半年将重点关注业务质量,支持经销商稳扎稳打
- Infographic: Achievements China has made in advancing Africa’s modernization
- 湖南公示省自科基金项目变更
- 荣耀路由 5 发布:“艺术家居设计”Wi
- 宝马中国回应退出价格战:下半年将重点关注业务质量,支持经销商稳扎稳打
- Serbia, France ink agreements to promote ties
- 专业需求背后的专用大模型,神州泰岳让AI融入场景刚需
- 17.88万起 新款丰田亚洲龙上市:一箱油续航超1000公里
- PC行业首款!荣耀MagicBook Art 14支持4320Hz高频PWM调光
- 盐城师院学子暑期实践中“学思践悟”
- 新能安荣获EcoVadis全球企业可持续性评估铜牌奖章
- 荣耀路由 5 发布:“艺术家居设计”Wi
- 贵港移动开展《培推师授课技巧与课程优化能力提升》培训
- Chinese premier holds talks with Spanish prime minister
- 大排档烧烤夜市扫码点单收银小程序系统软件
- 北京广电局新政策:支持提升有线电视超高清终端覆盖能力,推动开展4K超高清终端升级置换
- 实施行业联动,上海缩短家电服务响应时间
- 搜索
-