Pakistani PM calls for efforts to advance SCO's development agenda

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for collective efforts to harness the vast potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) region and advance development through trans-regional connectivity and cooperation.

Addressing the 26th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Bishkek, Sharif urged member states to choose cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over division, and bridges over barriers to promote regional peace and prosperity, according to a statement issued by the Pakistani Prime Minister's Office.

Sharif said Pakistan will pursue its upcoming SCO chairmanship through an action plan prioritizing connectivity, energy, information technology and artificial intelligence (AI), poverty reduction, health and sports, according to the statement.

The prime minister said the world is facing intensifying geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, climate crises and unprecedented technological change, while the SCO represents the collective resolve of its members to address these challenges.