Adviser to the Russian President Anton
Kobyakov met in Moscow with Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretary
General Nurlan Yermekbayev, who took office on 1 January 2025. Anton Kobyakov
congratulated him on his appointment and wished him success in his important
mission to develop and unify the SCO.
The discussion focused on the
organization’s economic role and Russia’s chairmanship of the SCO Council of
Heads of Government this year.
“Russia’s
foreign policy concept was approved by President Vladimir Putin in March 2023
and calls for a strengthening of the SCO’s role in ensuring equal, indivisible
security and sustainable development in Eurasia. The SCO is in the process of modernizing
in accordance with the current geopolitical reality, necessitating a strengthening
of economic cooperation between the organization’s member states, for which
reason Russia considers deepening economic cooperation and expanding
partnership ties with the countries of Greater Eurasia a top priority of its
SCO chairmanship,” Adviser
to the Russian President Anton Kobyakov said.
The parties discussed opportunities for holding
joint business, cultural, and sporting events, among others, and emphasized the
particular importance of the special ‘SCO in a New Economic Reality’ thematic
session planned as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on
18–21 June 2025. Plans were made for the Secretary General to attend and
involve the SCO Secretariat in the preparation of the event.
Both sides
expressed a high level of appreciation for the support member
states have shown for the proposal to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding
between the Roscongress Foundation and the Secretariat of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization. The conclusion of the document will create new
opportunities for implementing the roadmap for congress and exhibition
activities in Eurasia and the establishment of communication platforms where
states can meet to engage with one another.
“By
working together to organize international events for member states and
partners, the Roscongress Foundation and the SCO Secretariat will ensure national
economies in Eurasia enjoy balanced growth and create new approaches that will transform
the global market,” Anton Kobyakov said.
SCO Secretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev
spoke about recent successes with tourism and environmental forums and expressed
the hope to receive support for the Secretariat’s proposal to hold a
Sustainable Development Forum in November in Xinjiang, suggesting also that
Russia consider organizing a similar event in 2025.
“Cooperation
in business affects cooperation between our countries on a wide range of
issues. We are prepared to discuss with the Foundation joint events aligned
with the goals of the SCO chairmanship. Cooperation based on the Roscongress
Foundation’s wealth of experience and unique skills would invariably benefit partners
and strengthen economic synergy,” SCO Secretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev said.
The parties emphasized the need for
interaction in public relations, consulting, media, and expert support.
The possibility of including the SCO in
joint events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great
Patriotic War is also being considered. More than 170 events have already been
planned for this significant date under the Plan of Events for Russia,
including international events. The Roscongress Foundation is the media partner
of the Organizing Committee for the celebration.