Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Forum on Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development begins in China

Yangling, Shaanxi province, China – May 29, 2023 – The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Forum on Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development officially commenced today in Yangling, Shaanxi province of China, with leading international delegates in attendance to discuss and strategize on addressing global poverty and achieving sustainable development.

The opening ceremony was led by Wang Xiao, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Provincial Committee and Executive Governor of Shaanxi province, who introduced and welcomed all the participants.

Secretary of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Congress, Zhao Yide, opened the forum with a keynote address in which he underscored China’s achievements in eradicating poverty, future plans for rural revitalization, and the upgrade of agricultural products.

Madam Shen Yueyue, Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chair of the Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship, and Cooperation Commission of the SCO, praised China’s elimination of extreme poverty as a “miracle in human history.” She emphasized that China had achieved United Nations Sustainable Development Goals a decade ahead of the 2030 deadline, and called on SCO member nations to work cooperatively on poverty reduction and improving people’s well-being.

Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Kuchkarov, noted that half of the world’s population resides in the SCO region and shared Uzbekistan’s successes in poverty reduction, largely due to extensive reforms. Similarly, Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Vice Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, acknowledged the Chinese president’s significant role in lifting China out of poverty and elaborated on Pakistan’s own experiences combating poverty.

China’s rural revitalization and agricultural prowess were major themes in the speech given by Liu Huanxin, Administrator of National Rural Revitalization Administration of China, while Zhang Ming, the Secretary-General of SCO, acknowledged that poverty remains a global challenge, exacerbated by the pandemic and regional conflicts.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Social Security, and Migration of Kyrgyzstan, Zhyldyz Polotova, introduced the concept of multi-dimensional poverty and highlighted the work done by Kyrgyzstan in poverty reduction.

Two reports were also launched at the ceremony: ‘Poverty Reduction and Development in SCO Member Countries’ and ‘Agricultural Integration and Standardization in SCO Member Countries.’

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is an influential Eurasian political, economic, international security, and defence organization. It represents approximately 60% of the Eurasian landmass, 40% of the world population, and around 20% of the global GDP.

This three-day forum continues through May 31st and is set to serve as a platform for further strategic cooperation and sharing of best practices among the member states in their continued fight against poverty and pursuit of sustainable development.