Shanghai Cooperation Organization leaders emphasize strengthening multilateralism and economic development
Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, including Masoud Pezzekian, called for strengthening the status of this institution and expanding economic cooperation.
At the 25th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), held in Tianjin, China, the leaders present, while reiterating the necessity of multipolarizing the international system, emphasized the need to strengthen the role of this organization in shaping a multilateral international system and developing economic cooperation.
In his speech, Iranian President Masoud Pezzekian considered this organization one of the main foundations for the multipolarization of the global system and said: "The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as one of the important pillars of the multipolarization of the international system, must take operational, specific, and transparent steps in two parallel paths to create a more peaceful world and a world more prepared for the expansion of economic cooperation."
He also proposed strengthening the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Special Accounts and Settlements initiative to reduce the pressure of sanctions and increase the economic resilience of members, explaining: "This initiative is based on three main axes: expanding settlements with national currencies and reducing dependence on the dollar in member exchanges, launching joint digital infrastructures and using central bank digital currencies for secure and fast payments, and creating a multilateral currency swap fund to support countries exposed to sanctions pressure or liquidity crises."
Russian President Vladimir Putin, referring to the growing status of the organization, said that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization plays a role as a serious driver of global development trends and the establishment of genuine multilateralism. He also appreciated the efforts of China and India to help resolve the Ukrainian crisis and called his recent meeting with Donald Trump a step towards peace in Ukraine.
Putin announced that he would inform other leaders of the results of the Alaska summit during his bilateral meetings, and noted that he had also discussed the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
At the opening ceremony of the meeting, Xi Jinping stated that the purpose of the meeting was to "build consensus, expand cooperation, and chart a development roadmap," adding: "The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has become an important force in promoting a new type of international relations." He emphasized that this meeting is being held at a critical juncture for global stability, and the leaders present bear an important responsibility in reducing differences and designing development strategies.
