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• 2 min de lectura
Kazakhstan's President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, declared that his country is ready to collaborate in promoting transport initiatives throughout the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), describing the geographical connectivity between member states as a strategic advantage.
"Kazakhstan is ready to facilitate the promotion of transport initiatives throughout the Shanghai Cooperation Organization," Tokayev stated in a speech to the organization's Council of Heads of State meeting, held in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital.
Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan attaches "great importance" to the integration of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, the North-South Corridor, and the "promising trade routes between Central Asia and South Asia."
He also proposed developing and adopting an SCO "Transport Connectivity Strategy" until 2035.
Tokayev described the SCO as a "truly successful, influential, and sought-after international structure," stating that it represents a unique combination of countries that are "diverse in essence, but united in spirit."
He argued that, amidst the emergence of a new architecture of international relations, the SCO gains "special relevance," and expressed confidence that the meeting's results will contribute to further strengthening the organization's international prestige, "increasing its effectiveness and shaping clear strategic interests in a constantly changing global reality."
The Kazakh leader also proposed holding an SCO ministerial conference on strategic stability, whose agenda could include reducing military risks, containing a new arms race, and preventing dangerous incidents.
"It is particularly concerning that the consequences of armed conflicts are already spreading beyond immediate combat zones, affecting international markets, maritime trade, and the stability of energy and transport connections," Tokayev affirmed.
He added that these developments have significantly increased the risk of "cross-border crisis spillover," while the fight against terrorism, extremism, and separatism remains a priority for cooperation within the SCO.
"These threats are increasingly intertwined with transnational crime, drug trafficking, illicit arms trafficking, and cyber threats," he added.
