Addressing the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, Russian President Vladimir Putin invoked the historical context of World War II while emphasizing global stability. He drew attention to the significant coincidence associated with the date of September 1 and stressed the necessity of curbing provocative actions that could ignite armed conflicts worldwide.
Warning Against Provocations and Conflict
Speaking to the gathered leaders, the Russian President noted that September 1 marked the outbreak of the Second World War. He asserted that every possible effort must be made globally to eradicate provocative behavior that paves the way for military confrontations. Putin expressed strong confidence that the core mission of the SCO is dedicated precisely to achieving and preserving this peaceful objective.
The Expansion and Global Clout of the SCO
Highlighting the expanding influence of the bloc, Putin recalled that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation began as a modest grouping of a few nations but has now evolved into the largest regional organization in the world. According to his remarks, member states account for nearly half of the global population and represent roughly one-third of the world's total GDP. He pointed out that established in 2001 through the joint initiative of six founding states including Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, the organization has grown into a powerful and independent pillar of the emerging multipolar world.
Financial Autonomy and the Proposed Development Bank
Furthermore, the Russian leader raised the crucial issue of establishing the proposed SCO Development Bank. Addressing fellow leaders, he insisted that the prospective financial institution must remain entirely independent of existing financial systems that are frequently weaponized for economic leverage. Highlighting the economic ties within the bloc, Putin added that Russia's trade volume with SCO member countries exceeded 400 billion dollars over the past year.
