Call for strengthening security, economic cooperation, youth engagement within SCO

By Ikram Ullah Joyia

Islamabad: The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted a seminar titled “SCO’s ‘China Year 2025’: Upholding the ‘Shanghai Spirit’” at its premises.

The event brought together diplomats, academics, and think-tank experts to discuss the significance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and its future prospects under China’s presidency.

Ambassador Farhat Ayesha, Pakistan’s National Coordinator for SCO, delivered the keynote address, highlighting China’s proactive role in strengthening the SCO’s standing as a vital multilateral platform. She emphasized Pakistan’s strong commitment to the SCO since becoming a full member in 2017.

Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, was the Guest of Honor, who underscored the SCO’s growing significance as a leading regional organization built on the values of mutual trust, equality, dialogue, and shared development.

Other speakers included Ambassador Babar Amin, Pakistan’s former National Coordinator for SCO; Dr. MA Bin from Fudan University China; Dr. Ma Zheng from Sun Yat-sen University China; and Dr. Hassan Daud Butt from Bahria University.

The seminar highlighted the SCO’s remarkable evolution into one of the world’s most comprehensive and dynamic multilateral platforms. The speakers emphasized the importance of strengthening security, economic cooperation, and people-to-people bonds, especially youth engagement.

The upcoming 25th SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, on August 31-September 1, was also discussed, with expectations that it would adopt a long-term development strategy and reinforce the SCO’s role in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity across Eurasia.

The seminar concluded with a vibrant interactive session, attended by a large number of diplomats, practitioners, academics, think-tank experts, students, business community representatives, and members of the media.