ASTANA, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has established itself as an effective and highly-valued structure within the international security system, with strong prospects for further development, said Bolat Nurgaliyev, former Secretary-General of the SCO.
Regularly holding summits, the SCO effectively addresses the needs of its members and provides practical benefits, Nurgaliyev, also chairman of the Board of the Foreign Policy Research Institute under the Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan, said in a recent interview with Xinhua.
Nurgaliyev believes that the upcoming SCO summit in Astana in July offers an opportunity to reassess the situation, implement the agreements reached at the previous summit in Delhi, outline prospects for the upcoming year, and present the global community with insights into current global tensions and strategies for improvement.
Over the past 23 years, the SCO has established itself as a reputable organization and played a significant role in the global security system, said the expert.
He emphasized that since its founding in 2001, the SCO has upheld the "Shanghai Spirit," promoting mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development.
In its international engagements, the SCO adheres to principles of non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-direction at the third party. It remains dedicated to preserving regional peace, security, and stability, he added.
He highlighted the SCO's provision of a robust financing mechanism for large-scale projects among its member states, significantly contributing to the Belt and Road cooperation. The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative aligns seamlessly with the national programs of SCO member states, fostering extensive regional cooperation and development, he added.
He cited changes in Kazakhstan brought by Belt and Road cooperation projects. "The significant increase in bridges, railways, seaports, highways, tunnels, and terminals is a tangible testament to China's effective role in promoting socio-economic infrastructure development," the expert said. ■
