SCO Astana Summit: Paving the Way for Regional Cooperation and Growth
Electric Vehicles Await Export at China’s Horgos Port as Astana Prepares for SCO Summit
Hundreds of electric vehicles are currently awaiting custom clearance at the dry port of Horgos (Khorgos), a small city in China’s Xinjiang Autonomous Region near the Kazakhstan border. These EVs are destined for export to central Asian countries, and possibly even farther destinations. On the other side of the border, Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, is gearing up to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit on July 3-4.
With a population approaching one million, Astana will play host to leaders from SCO member states, observer countries, and dialogue partners. This summit is expected to be a significant event with broad implications for regional and global affairs.
Economic cooperation is likely to be a focal point of the Astana Summit. Initiatives aimed at reducing trade barriers, harmonizing regulations, and promoting investment across member states are expected to be discussed. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is likely to be emphasized as a key framework for enhancing connectivity and economic ties.
As the “birthplace” of the BRI, Kazakhstan was among the earliest Central Asian countries to participate in the infrastructure project after its launch in 2013. Trade in the border city of Horgos has benefited from the coordinated policies of SCO member states.
Dr. Xu Wenhong, a researcher at the Institute of Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, highlighted the importance of Kazakhstan and other Central Asian states for the success of the Belt and Road Initiative.
The upcoming SCO Summit is particularly significant as the organization looks to expand its influence and address regional and global challenges. Established in 2001, the SCO includes China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as founding members. India and Pakistan joined as full members at the 2017 Astana Summit, and Iran became the ninth member last year.
The SCO member states represent half of the world’s population and a third of global GDP. With the inclusion of major regional powers like India, Pakistan, and Iran, the SCO brings together a diverse range of interests and perspectives that contribute to a more balanced distribution of power on the global stage.
The 2024 summit is expected to see further expansion with Belarus poised to become the SCO’s tenth member. This move would deepen the organization’s geopolitical composition and strengthen its strategic depth.
Anticipated outcomes of the summit include enhanced security cooperation, advancements in technology and innovation, initiatives on climate change and sustainable development, as well as increased cultural and educational exchanges. These developments aim to position the SCO as a more influential and cohesive organization capable of effectively addressing the complexities of the 21st century.
The insights in this article were provided by Dong Xue, a CGTN reporter from China.
