Bishkek, 26 October 2023 (WAI): Pakistan’s interim Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, reported on Thursday that Pakistan, assuming leadership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Council of Heads of Government for the coming year, plans to host a conference on transportation and connectivity subsequently this year to boost prosperity in the region.
Jilani made these statements while attending the council’s 22nd meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where he leads his country’s delegation.
The council is the SCO’s second-highest body, focusing on economic, financial, trade, and socioeconomic partnership problems.
“Pakistan plans to host a conference on transport and connectivity for regional prosperity this year,” the Caretaker Foreign Minister said, adding that regional cooperation is essential and practical sectors will be given great attention.
“These are improving connectivity and transport ties, empowering young people, and promoting a commitment to key sectors such as mining, agriculture, minerals, energy, climate change and information technology,” he stated.
The Minister stated that Pakistan’s geographic position made it an excellent trade route and that the country’s leadership understood that investing in connectivity was critical to promoting the objective of shared prosperity.
“The SCO symbolizes the collective thoughts and ambitions of 40 percent of the world’s population, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, is an effective enhancer for regional integration as inadequate connectivity is a hurdle to regional trade, investment, and development,” he said.
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Jilani stated that the SCO business council might help develop economic and commercial cooperation.
“It may additionally promote investments in sectors with shared benefit, and Pakistan offers to host SCO businessmen conference early next year,” he declared.
In response to the predicament in Afghanistan, the Minister stated that long-term economic progress could not be assured without post-war peace and stability.
“The SCO Afghanistan contact team can play a vital part, and we need to revive it since it can assist Afghan authorities in overcoming their economic challenges and building their counter-terrorism capacity,” he stated.
“Pakistan plans to host a meeting on prevention and response to emergencies during our chairmanship of the SCO body,” the Foreign Minister said.
Jilani also addressed environmental problems in his speech, stating that climate-related tragedies need worldwide unity for a coordinated response.
An International Relations graduate, with a keen interest in diverse areas of IR; diplomacy, global politics & human rights.
