Pakistan to host SCO conference on transport, connectivity this year — FM Jilani

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani announced on Thursday that Pakistan, having assumed leadership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Council of Heads of Government for the coming year, aims to host a conference on transportation and connectivity later this year to enhance regional prosperity.
Jilani made these remarks while participating in the 22nd meeting of the council in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where he is leading his country’s delegation.
The council is the second-highest body within the SCO and focuses on issues related to economy, finance, trade and socio-economic collaboration.
“Pakistan plans to host a conference on transport and connectivity for regional prosperity this year,” the interim foreign minister said, adding his country would give top priority to regional cooperation in critical and practical areas.
“These include enhancing connectivity and transport linkages, youth empowerment, investment in key sectors such as mining, agriculture, minerals, energy, climate change and information technology,” he added.
Jilani said Pakistan’s location made it an ideal trade conduit and its leadership knew that investing in connectivity was crucial to advancing the vision of shared prosperity.
“The SCO represents the collective voice and aspirations of 40 percent of the global population and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a force multiplier for regional connectivity as lack of connectivity is an impediment to regional trade, investment and development,” he added.
Jilani noted the SCO business council could play a vital role in fostering economic and commercial cooperation.
“It can also facilitate investment in areas of mutual benefit and Pakistan proposes to host SCO businessmen conference early next year,” he continued.
Addressing the situation in Afghanistan, the minister said sustainable economic development could not be guaranteed without durable peace and stability in the post-war environment.
“The SCO Afghanistan contact group can play an important role and we need to revive it since it can assist Afghan authorities in overcoming their economic challenges and building their counter-terrorism capacity,” he added.
Jilani also mentioned environmental issues in his speech, saying climate-induced disasters demanded global solidarity for a collective response.
“Pakistan plans to host a meeting on prevention and response to emergency situations during our chairmanship [of the SCO body],” he added.