Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered a powerful inaugural address at the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation for sustainable development, peace, and stability.
Welcoming heads of state and observers, the prime minister highlighted that the SCO members represented 40% of the world’s population. "We can improve socio-economic development, regional peace and stability. We can work together to improve the quality of life of our citizens," the PM stressed.
PM Sharif also underlined the need for collective action to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life for citizens across member states. "We must provide a better quality of life and facilities to our people," he stated. He stressed that regional cooperation is essential for sustainable development and that today’s meeting presents an important opportunity to strengthen these ties.
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"We are witnessing a change and development in the global scenario," he remarked, adding that SCO nations can make the future of their people stable and secure.
Shehbaz also touched upon key issues such as poverty eradication, trade relations, and economic stability, urging SCO leaders to prioritize poverty reduction strategies. He referred to poverty as both an economic and moral issue, asserting that world leaders have a duty to secure a better future for the next generations.
Shehbaz Sharif also spoke about the development of a mechanism for green development to tackle environmental challenges, including natural disasters. He suggested that unity can promote tourism development, reduce poverty, empower women and youth, adding that efforts were necessary to increase trade relations within the region.
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The PM also highlighted that SCO nations should consider a new strategy for economic cooperation, suggesting the importance of Afghanistan as an important country for regional development and stability.
"The international community should focus on humanitarian aid for Afghanistan and make efforts to ensure the Afghan land is not used for terrorism," Shehbaz stressed.
Regarding infrastructure projects, Shehbaz Sharif reinforced the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for regional development. He highlighted that Pakistan is entering the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He identified transport and energy cooperation as areas with immense potential for regional collaboration.
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"Economic stability is essential for a common future," the PM insisted, adding that priority must be given to measures for poverty eradication. "Poverty is not only an economic problem, but also a moral issue. We must focus on solving the root causes of poverty."
In conclusion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that it was the responsibility of the world leaders to provide a better future to the coming generations, and the threats caused by environmental changes were the main challenge. "We have to work together to deal with natural calamities," he concluded.
