The "Belt and Road Initiative" helps the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization deepen their cooperation.

From the 18th to the 20th, the 12th International Academic Symposium on Central Asia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law. The participating Central Asian scholars unanimously believed that the "Belt and Road" initiative has brought more opportunities for the development of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and will help with the economic transformation of Central Asian countries, providing greater impetus for multilateral economic and trade cooperation as well as cultural cooperation among Central Asian countries.

This seminar was hosted by Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai Association for Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries, and the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences' Research Center on the SCO. Over 70 experts and scholars from research institutions, think tanks, and universities in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and China gathered together to discuss how the development of the SCO and the "Belt and Road" Initiative can be promoted in a coordinated manner.

The experts present at the meeting believe that with the launch and operation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the BRICS Development Bank and the Silk Road Fund, the concept of the "Belt and Road Initiative" has been recognized and supported by the majority of countries. Driven by the "Belt and Road" strategy, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization should fully utilize mechanisms such as the "Silk Road Economic Belt Fund" and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to strengthen multilateral economic and trade cooperation and financial cooperation, and promote trade facilitation and cooperation on connectivity.

Meanwhile, among the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, on the basis of respecting diverse civilizations, they should strengthen cultural and educational cooperation, establish academic partnerships within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and achieve mutual understanding and communication through continuous promotion of the interaction and dialogue of civilizations and cultures.

The participating experts and scholars also conducted in-depth discussions on topics such as "Security Challenges Facing Central Asia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization", "The Significance of the Belt and Road Initiative and Its Impact on Central Asia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization", and "Civilizational Dialogue and Cultural Cooperation between Central Asia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization".