Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for closer cooperation in the energy sector within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Tokayev stated this on July 4, speaking at an online summit of leaders of the SCO member states.
He proposed holding an SCO energy forum in Kazakhstan and agreeing on a joint energy strategy by 2024.
“Establishing systemic interaction in this direction is of particular relevance today. We need to coordinate work to ensure the energy balance and coordinated actions aimed at energy transition, decarbonization of the economy and industry,” Tokayev said.
Tokayev’s speech is given in his telegram channel by Akorda. In it, he does not mention the war in Ukraine, referring to “modern challenges”, including “an unprecedented increase in geopolitical tensions”, but claims to intensify “trade and sanctions wars”.
He specifically noted the “geographical connectivity of states, transit and transport opportunities” and the “complementarity” of the economies of the SCO member countries.
As traditional supply chains are being disrupted, the creation of “modern transport infrastructure, as well as new competitive routes,” Tokayev said, has gained strategic importance.
He mentioned Beijing’s One Belt, One Road initiative and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), which runs through China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and further to European countries, and spoke in favor of creating a network of ports and logistics centers.
Kazakhstan assumed the chairmanship of the SCO for the period 2023-2024.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a Beijing-led security alliance that also includes Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, India, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. On Tuesday, Iran officially became the ninth member of this organization. Previously, Iran was among the observer states along with Belarus, Afghanistan and Mongolia.