SCO nations should unite for further accomplishments: say speakers

Henan (China), July 25: Intellectuals and media experts have urged member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to strengthen unity for achieving lasting peace, development, and stability.     

Speaking at the inaugural session of the SCO Media and Think Tank Conference (July 23-27) here today, they stressed the need for upholding the principles of sovereignty, non-interference, mutual trust, and equality. These values, they said, are essential for guiding the organization towards a sustainable path of peace and prosperity.     

The conference was formally inaugurated by Governor of Henan Province, Wang Kai.     

Addressing the gathering, Indira Rana, Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, expressed appreciation to China for its continued support of Nepal’s socio-economic development. She reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to the SCO, expressing her hope that SCO would contribute significantly to the prosperity of its member states.     

Fu Hua, President of Xinhua News Agency, stated that over 8,000 media across the world currently subscribe to Xinhua services. He stressed the crucial role of the media in promoting a shared future based on unity and mutual understanding, principles aligned with the spirit of the SCO. He also spoke about the active participation of the intellectual community from member states in the conference.     

The event is being attended by Dharmendra Jha, Executive Chair of the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), and Bishnu Prasad Subedi, Executive Chairman of the Gorkhapatra Corporation, along with intellectuals and media representatives from SCO member states, observer states, and dialogue partners. Around 400 participants including diplomats are taking part in the conference that serves as a prelude to to the 25th Summit of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), scheduled to be held from August 31 this year.     

The event is hosted by Xinhua News Agency with support from the Henan Provincial Government and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.     

Founded in 2001, the SCO currently comprises ten member states: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. Nepal has been a dialogue partner of the SCO since 2016.(RSS)