President Tokayev highlighted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) strengths in his speech at the summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on September 16, QazMonitor reports citing presidential press service.

Cooperation in regional security

Since regional security remains a key priority for the organization, Tokayev suggested expanding the cooperation between defense agencies and special services of the SCO members.

Stance on geopolitical power

The Kazakh President highlighted the SCO’s ideologically neutral stance on geopolitical power blocks, citing it as the contributing factor to the organization’s quick expansion.

Global economic platform

He believes that the member’s joint efforts could transform SCO into a global economic platform that implements growth-driving large-scale projects. In this regard, he said that ensuring the proper financing of the organization's project activities must be set as important task.

Eurasian transportation hub

Central Asia has the potential as the transportation hub of Eurasia, according to Tokayev. He noted the significance of railroad transportation along the China-Europe route and the Trans-Caspian international transport route, citing the example of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway as the shortest route from East Asia to the countries of the Persian Gulf. Tokayev expressed his support for efforts to develop Trans-Eurasian transport routes.

Uninterrupted food production

Lastly, he touched on the role of SCO states as the largest producers and exporters of agricultural products in the world. The President said that the organization has a responsibility in ensuring uninterrupted food production and supply chains that will help maintain sustainability in the world food market.