The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit (SCO) is an intergovernmental organisation that focuses on political, economic, defence, and security issues in Eurasia. It is principally led by the Council of Heads of State (HSC) and the Council of Heads of Government (HGC).
The SCO Summit 2024 is slated to happen on October 15 and 16, 2024, in Islamabad, Pakistan. Several heads of government from member countries will attend the summit, with India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, leading the Indian delegation.
Additionally, you can expect S. Jaishankar, Shehbaz Sharif, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and other leaders from SCO member states, including heads of government from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran, as the main speakers at the 2024 SCO summit.
What is SCO Submit 2024?
The 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit is a significant multilateral event scheduled in Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 15-16, 2024. Here are the key details and themes:
Key Details
- Host Country: Pakistan, which holds the rotating chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) for this event.
- Participants: The summit will be attended by heads of government from SCO member states, including India, Pakistan, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran.
Leaders in Attendance:
- India: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation.
- Pakistan: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will host the summit.
- China: President Xi Jinping is expected to attend.
- Russia: President Vladimir Putin will also be present.
Themes and Agenda
- Multilateral Cooperation: The summit will focus on enhancing multilateral cooperation among member states, discussing topical issues of regional and international importance13.
- Economic Cooperation: There will be discussions on economic collaboration, including trade and investment initiatives.
- Security Cooperation: The meeting will address security concerns, including combating terrorism and enhancing regional stability.
- Climate Change and Environmental Protection: Leaders are expected to discuss collaborative efforts to address climate change and promote sustainable practices.
- Regional Stability: The summit will aim to strengthen regional stability and address ongoing conflicts.
Notable Points
- India’s Participation: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has clarified that his visit is primarily for the SCO summit and not to discuss India-Pakistan relations specifically.
- Pre-Summit Meetings: There will be ministerial meetings and senior officials' meetings focused on financial, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian cooperation among SCO member states
Agenda of the 2024 SCO Summit
The 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit will focus on several key agendas such as:
- Combating Terrorism: A primary agenda item will be addressing cross-border terrorism and enhancing security cooperation among member states. This includes initiatives to isolate countries that harbour terrorists and strengthen the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS).
- Economic Cooperation: The summit will emphasise economic collaboration, including trade and investment initiatives. The "Make in India" initiative is expected to be highlighted as a potential engine for global economic growth, promoting partnerships, particularly with nations in the Global South.
- Climate Change and Environmental Protection: Addressing climate change through sustainable practices and climate-resilient infrastructure will be a significant focus. This aligns with the SCO's broader goals of environmental protection and sustainable development.
- Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue: The overarching theme of the summit will be "Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue—Striving Towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity." This reflects a commitment to fostering cooperation among member states amidst rising global tensions.
- Regional Stability and Security: Discussions will also centre on enhancing regional stability, addressing ongoing conflicts, and promoting a multipolar world order. This includes reviewing the organisation’s activities over the past two decades and strategising for future cooperation.
Members of SCO Summit 2024
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) currently has nine full member states:
- China
- India
- Iran
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Pakistan
- Russia
- Tajikistan
- Uzbekistan
Additionally, there are three observer states:
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Mongolia
The SCO also includes six dialogue partners:
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Cambodia
- Nepal
- Sri Lanka
- Turkey
S. Jaishankar in Pakistan 2024
S. Jaishankar's aircraft landed at around 3:30 pm on Tuesday at the Nur Khan airbase on the outskirts of Islamabad. The senior Pakistani officials came to greet him as he stepped off the plane.
As per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the yearly SCO CHG meeting centres around the organisation's trade and economic agenda. S. Jaishanakar stated that India continues to be actively involved in a number of SCO procedures prior to his departure for Pakistan.
Source: Marathi Jagran
During the press talks, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan's foreign minister, quoted that "Terrorism is also a reality, whether they blame us or we blame them, but the issue exists, so if we engage, we will somehow reach a common point and save precious India and Pakistan lives."
To this S. Jaishankar said at a recent event: "Like with any neighbour, India would certainly like to have good relations with Pakistan. But that cannot happen by overlooking cross-border terrorism and indulging in wishful thinking."
Furthermore, it has been 9 years since any of India's foreign ministers visited Pakistan for official talks. Prior to now, Sushma Swaraj visited Pakistan on December 8-9, 2015, to Islamabad to attend the 'Heart of Asia' conference on Afghanistan.
Also Read| List of Foreign Ministers that have Visited Pakistan till 2024
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