*ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan made eight suggestions to improveregional cooperation during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)Summit in Bishkek on Friday.*
These included reinforcing the vision of cooperation that rejectsconfrontation and promote peaceful co-existence in both the region and therest of the world and galvanizing the Shanghai spirit to mitigate conflict.We should finalize arrangements for trade in local currencies, he said,suggesting the establishment of an SCO fund and bank.
Synergize region-wide connectivity initiatives and complement them withsoft connectivity, said PM Khan, suggesting the creation of an SCO cultureand tourism corridor.
He also urged them to make the SCO more relevant to people’s daily lives byworking in the food security and humanitarian sectors. He also urged thesetup of a framework to combat corruption and white collar crime.
*Related: SCO Summit an opportunity to talk to India: PM Khan*link
The premier urged world leaders to prioritise women and youth empowermentand strengthen the women forum and youth council. You can also bridge thegap between region-specific research and policy by setting up SCO centresof excellence on matters like poverty alleviation, something faced byalmost every country, said PM Khan.
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During his speech to the heads of state of various countries, he said theworld stands at the crossroads of a multi polar global order. Regionalintegration is speeding up, disruptive technologies are maturing and thereare new threats, he said, counting narcotics, climate change and bacterialresistance as major threats.
PM Khan also discussed Pakistan’s battle with terrorism and how it iswilling to share its experience and expertise in counter terrorism. Hepraised the world leaders for realising that there was no military solutionto the Afghan conflict. He said Pakistan supports a solution through anAfghan led and owned peace process.
The SCO’s support for post-conflict Afghanistan will remain crucial, hereminded them.
