Key points from the SCO meeting, digital transformation at focus

The 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held on the 4th of July, 2023. The leaders convened via video conference to discuss global and regional issues. The meeting was attended by the heads of state of the member countries, including India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The meeting covered a range of topics, including cooperation in digital transformation and fighting terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

In the aftermath of the meeting, the statement on cooperation in digital transformation was issued, which highlighted the following key points:

• The statement acknowledged that digital transformation is a powerful driver of global, inclusive, and sustainable growth and is instrumental in achieving the objectives of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• It was highlighted that the potential of digital technologies to transform social, economic, and cultural life remains largely unexplored.
• Member states are called upon to collaborate and explore the potential of digitalization in various fields and to encourage the deep integration of digital and real economies.
• Member states expressed commitment to prioritising people and incorporating a ‘people-centred’ approach to ensure that the benefits of digital transformation are accessible to everyone at a reasonable cost to maximise human potential.
• Another agenda in the statement emphasised the need to continuously work to lower digital infrastructure costs, encourage digital interconnectivity, utilise digital potential, and enhance data interoperability.
• Support for integrating digital solutions in critical areas such as finance by member states was also underscored.

To this end, the statement further indicated that member states will cooperate and share best practices to learn from each other’s experiences and achievements.