BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 1. The Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) has become one of the independent
and influential centers of the emerging multipolar world over the
past 25 years, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his
speech at the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in
Bishkek, Trend's
special correspondent reports.


The head of state noted that the organization has undergone
significant development over the past quarter century, expanding
its membership and strengthening its cooperation mechanisms.


"Established in 2001 at the initiative of six states—Russia,
China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—it has
grown stronger and more powerful, becoming one of the independent
and influential centers of the emerging multipolar world," Putin
said.


According to the President, today the SCO is the largest
regional association not only in Eurasia but also in the world as a
whole.


"Almost half the world's population lives in its member
countries and accounts for more than a third of the global gross
domestic product," the Russian leader noted.


Putin emphasized that the SCO region is home to significant
intellectual and technological potential, as well as a significant
portion of the world's natural resources.


"Key transcontinental, transport, and logistics routes lie
here," he said.







The Russian President also noted the importance of cooperation
between SCO countries in the political, economic, and humanitarian
spheres, stating that this contributes to the sustainable
development of member states and the strengthening of an atmosphere
of trust and cooperation.


Regarding the summit's outcomes, Putin stated that the prepared
package of decisions will give new impetus to partnership within
the organization.


"Russia shares the agreed approaches of member states to
pressing issues on the global and regional agendas, as reflected in
the summit's main document—the Bishkek Declaration," he pointed
out.


According to him, Russia supports improving the organization's
activities and enhancing the effectiveness of its working
mechanisms. Putin also highlighted the further strengthening of
commercial ties between member states as one of the SCO's pressing
tasks.


"This brings us all clear dividends, truly contributing to the
progressive dynamics of socio-economic growth and improving the
well-being of the population," the Russian President said.