On 22-23 May 2023, Tajikistan chaired the 18th meeting of the SCO Forum in Dushanbe, the Republic of Tajikistan. [Photo/sectsco.org]

On 22-23 May 2023, Tajikistan chaired the 18th meeting of the SCO Forum, organised by the Centre for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, in Dushanbe, the Republic of Tajikistan. Over 40 experts from SCO member states, observer states and dialogue partners, as well as representatives of the SCO Secretariat and the Executive Committee of the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, took part in the event.

Hairiddin Usmanzoda, Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, opened the meeting. SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Azamsho Sharifi, former SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov (2016-2018) and Acting Coordinator for CIS Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan Ahmad Saidmurodzoda greeted the participants.

The meeting participants discussed three thematic aspects, namely, interaction between SCO member states in the field of international security; economic cooperation issues; and the development of the cultural and educational area. They agreed that the work of the SCO Forum as a platform providing science and expert support to the Organisation's activities amid global transformation was quite topical.

The SCO National Research Centre/Institute for Strategic and Inter-Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan will now preside over the SCO Forum. In 2024, Tashkent will host the 19th SCO Forum meeting.