The 22nd meeting of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) Council of Heads of Government was held in Bishkek, as reported by ANI, a partner of TV BRICS.

At the end of the meeting a joint communique was signed.

Russia was represented by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who delivered a speech at the expanded SCO Heads of Government Council.

He noted the main priorities of the SCO countries: sustainability in the face of global challenges, protection of citizens and enterprises in circumstances of growing competition and instability.

The head of the Russian government stressed that the turnover of mutual trade of the Russian Federation with SCO partners totalled almost 18.5 trillion rubles, adding more than 16 trillion rubles from January to July 2023.

Mishustin noted the need for a clear implementation of the economic development strategy for the decade. He named the transport sector (creation and modernisation of transport corridors, agreement on the use of transit potential of partner countries, further preparation of a memorandum on the development of roads in the SCO countries) among the priority areas of cooperation.

“Comprehensive joint efforts in the transport track will make it possible to increase trade turnover, develop new markets, which will benefit both our citizens and businesses”

Mikhail Mishustin Prime Minister of Russia

The second most important task, he said, is to create a payment infrastructure based on the latest achievements of science and technology by developing an autonomous regional payment and settlement mechanism and ensuring currency conversion at national exchanges.

Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar represented Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 22nd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government.

The Foreign Secretary also met his counterparts from other SCO member states in Bishkek, according to a statement issued by the Indian Foreign Ministry.

The meeting, which was held in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek on 25-26 October, was attended by the heads of government of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the vice-president of Iran, and the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan.

Photo: SCO