PARTICIPATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC RESEARCH IN THE XXth MEETING OF THE SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION FORUM

On May 21, 2025, the XX meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum began its work in New Delhi (India).

From the Tajik side, Usmonzoda Khairidin, director of the Center for Strategic Research under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, participated in the forum.

Usmonzoda Khairidin spoke at the plenary session and the first panel session of this forum, “Expanding the Role of the SCO, Promoting a collective vision of security and a stable region,” with a report on the topic “The Role of the SCO in expanding the horizons of cooperation between countries in the context of global changes”.

The two-day Forum on the theme “SCO Security: Towards transforming the region in the spirit of ‘The world is one family’” continues its work with panels.

On May 22, on the second day of the twentieth meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Forum, the Director of the Center for Strategic Research, Usmonzoda Khairidin, delivered a report on the topic “The philosophy of cultural and humanitarian cooperation of the SCO countries.” The report was presented as part of the third session dedicated to the role of the SCO as a platform for the development of cooperation in the field of culture.

During his speech, Usmonzoda Khairidin noted that “The SCO plays an important role in the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between member states, promoting interaction in the field of education, science, culture and art, as well as encouraging youth exchanges and a culture of mutual understanding”.

It was noted that “The rapid development of international relations between the SCO member states in recent years has aroused increasing interest not only in trade, economic, political aspects, but also in cultural and human contacts. The expansion of the SCO’s sphere of competence allows us to put forward new models of cultural development interaction within the SCO countries, where the main goal is to develop multilateral cooperation in the fields of education, science, mass communications, sports, tourism, and cultural heritage protection. In these areas, an effective mechanism has been created, a flexible and effective model for strengthening the scientific, educational, and cultural potential of countries that can prevent the manifestation of any kind of negative phenomena”.

Paying special attention to the issues of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Tajikistan and the SCO, the Director of the Center stressed that “In the process of shaping the foreign policy course of the Republic of Tajikistan, one of the priorities is bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). In this regard, it was emphasized that “Tajikistan, being one of the founding states and an active participant in the SCO, makes a constructive contribution to strengthening cultural dialogue in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutually beneficial cooperation, including with dialogue partner states.

In this regard, special attention was paid to the achievements of the SCO during Tajikistan’s presidency of the Organization. As it was noted, the Dushanbe Summit in 2021 became an important stage in the history of the SCO, significantly enriched the cultural part of the agenda. It is noteworthy that within the framework of Tajikistan’s chairmanship and in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Center for Friendship and Cooperation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was opened in Tajikistan.

In the year of Tajikistan’s chairmanship in the SCO 2020-2021, Tajikistan initiated the creation of the SCO’s own Anthem, which was first performed at the anniversary summit.

Usmonzoda Khairidin noted that the opening of the Center in the SCO Year of Culture is also a significant contribution of the Republic of Tajikistan to the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, which will maximize the use of the rich cultural, historical, spiritual, moral, artistic and aesthetic potential and heritage of our countries and peoples.

In his speech, Usmonzoda Khairidin paid special attention to analytical and expert cooperation, in particular, he noted that “Currently, the Center for Strategic Research, based on bilateral agreements, carries out scientific and analytical cooperation with 36 institutes and analytical centers around the world, most of which, namely 26 of our partners, are analytical centers of the member states of the SCO. The fact that most of the Center’s partners are analytical centers of the SCO member states is undoubtedly the result of the prevailing favorable atmosphere of cooperation and strong bonds of friendship within this organization”.

It should be noted that the Forum is completing its work today and the final document will be signed.