Foreign Minister: Belarus recognizes the potential of the SCO and is determined to give more weight to the organization’s voice

A view of Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Photo: VCG

After Belarus officially joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), becoming its tenth member country, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov expressed his “gratitude” in Beijing on Saturday for the comprehensive support Belarus has received on its way to full membership in the organization.

He stressed that amid global turmoil, the unity of SCO participants and their ability to make forward-looking, coordinated decisions are of particular value to the country.

“In Belarus, we immediately recognized the potential of the organization and consistently worked towards becoming a full-fledged member. For our country, the SCO is not just one of the international structures. It has a strategic perspective. The SCO is a new security,” he said.

Ryzhenkov made these remarks on Saturday during the flag-raising ceremony of the Republic of Belarus in front of the building of the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Beijing.

The Belarusian diplomat expressed his enthusiasm and said he was “convinced that this sign will fly proudly here for many years to come. The SCO is a forward-looking organization.”

“We are proud that our country is now an integral part of the ‘Shanghai Ten’. I am confident that together we will do everything to make the voice of our organization louder on all issues of the international agenda. This will be beneficial for the peoples of the countries of the SCO ‘family’ and for the international community as a whole,” he said.

Founded in 2001, the SCO is the only intergovernmental organization named after a Chinese city. It has become an important forum for China to strengthen its cooperation with countries in Central Asia and the wider Eurasian region.

Ryzhenkov noted that since its creation in 2001, the organization “has strengthened and become a unique multilateral mechanism and an influential player in the system of international relations. Today the sun rises in the East, both literally and figuratively. Today the heart of Eurasia beats here. By their own example, the SCO member states give peoples and countries the opportunity to feel that there are centers of power in the world where every voice is heard.”

He also stressed the importance of Belarus’ membership in the SCO and emphasized the organization’s role as a strategic perspective for the country.

The SCO has evolved from a regional organization with six members to a transregional organization with ten full members, two observer countries and 14 dialogue partners.

In his view, the SCO represents a new security that is genuine, indivisible and directed against no one.

The SCO was founded primarily for security reasons. Its predecessor, the “Shanghai Five,” was formed after the end of the Cold War to regulate border security issues. Terrorism, separatism and extremism, known as the “three evil forces,” have been looming over Central Asia for decades, according to a report by the Xinhua news agency.

Ryzhenkov stressed that the SCO is a new economy whose member states are based on the principles of partnership, mutual benefit and sustainable development.

“Eurasia needs its own strong transport and logistics framework. Belarus fully supports the implementation of initiatives within the SCO that connect the continent with strategic infrastructure projects,” he said.

According to a report by the Xinhua news agency, Belarus currently maintains stable trade relations with Russia and China, both members of the SCO.

In the first four months of 2024, trade turnover between Belarus and Russia reached 2.9 trillion rubles (about $33.62 billion), according to official Russian data. China is Belarus’ second largest trading partner, and Belarus is among China’s fastest-growing trading partners in the Eurasian region, the report said.

He also viewed the SCO as a unique opportunity for cultural enrichment, for bringing peoples closer together, for facilitating direct communication between youth organizations, as well as interaction in the fields of sports, tourism, science and education.

SCO Secretary General Zhang Ming said at the event on Saturday: “Belarus’ accession is another important milestone in the history of the SCO. With its rich historical heritage and unique cultural charm, Belarus has always been an important player on the international stage. Belarus’ accession to the SCO will not only strengthen our organization but also give new impetus to cooperation between member states.”

“We greatly appreciate Belarus’ trust and recognition of the SCO and fully appreciate its active contribution to peace and development in the region,” he said.

He also expressed his confidence that Belarus, together with other member states, will continue to promote cooperation in politics, economy, security, culture and other areas within the framework of the SCO and will achieve new successes.

“Belarus’ accession will enable us to better utilize the advantages of our organization and jointly address challenges and threats on the regional and international agenda…

We confidently move forward hand in hand and create a better future for the SCO,” Zhang said.

Belarus’ accession was formalized at the 24th session of the SCO Council of Heads of State.