ISLAMABAD: Speakers on Friday observed that Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) effectively promoted the ‘Shanghai Spirit’. They were speaking at a roundtable on “Post Astana Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2024: Achievements and Way Forward.”

The event was organised by the Center for SCO Studies at the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS) in collaboration with the Riphah Institute of Public Policy (RIPP) and the embassy of Kazakhstan.

It provided an in-depth analysis of the outcomes of the SCO Summit 2024 in Astana and discussed the organisation’s future trajectory under the new chairmanship of China.

Speakers shared valuable insights into the achievements and strategic direction of the SCO.

While speaking on the occasion, Yerzhan Kistafin, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan detailed the outcomes of the Astana Summit as well as the vision and mission articulated by the President of Kazakhstan during their chairmanship.

He highlighted that Kazakhstan hosted 150 events and made significant contributions towards regional peace and stability through its proactive diplomacy focused on multilateralism.

Dr Farhat Asif, President Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies emphasised the significance of the event and discussed various initiatives by IPDS on SCO.

Asif also shared that Pakistan, as the Chair of the Council of Heads of Government will host a meeting in Islamabad in October, with China assuming the chairmanship for 2024-25.

Dr Mohammad Munir, Dean of Social Sciences at MY University stressed the SCO’s importance in mitigating tradition and non-traditional security threats in the region. Dr. Muhammad Khan, Professor of International Relations at International Islamic University, highlighted the SCO’s progress in reducing global hegemonic exploitation, terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Dr Rashid Aftab, Director RIPP pointed out the significance of the Green SCO initiative for Pakistan.

The event was attended by numerous diplomats, media representatives, civil society members, students and faculty members.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2024