BEIJING, June 15 (China Economic Net) - The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established on June 15, 2001. Today marks the 20th birthday of SCO. As the world’s most extensive and populated comprehensive regional cooperation organization, SCO, galvanized by the Shanghai Spirit, stands as a fine example of how countries can better work with each other in times of global perils and challenges.

 

"During the past 20 years, agriculture has always been an important area of cooperation among SCO countries," said Li Jinxiang，Chief Veterinarian in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China. "Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China is willing to collaborate with agricultural departments of SCO countries to promote cooperation in promoting agricultural innovation, completing the industrial supply chain, and enhancing agricultural productivity." Li Jinxiang added.

 

He Zhenwei， secretary-general of China Overseas Development Association mentioned that China's advanced drought-resistant agricultural technologies can be adopted in other SCO countries, most of whom also have large arid or semi-arid areas. Currently, China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the SCO permanent members. Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia have observer status, while Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey, are dialogue partners. "High-quality agricultural products from these countries can also be introduced to China more easily with the SCO agriculture cooperation." He added.

 

Muhammad Egamzod, deputy ambassador of Tajikistan attaches great importance to the development of the trade and economic cooperation among SCO countries, where agriculture occupies the most honorable place. "Agriculture of many SCO countries have great potential. We are very interested in terms of agriculture personnel training, the development of technology and the exchange of experience."

 

"Within SCO, we have many teams engaged in agriculture cooperation and many other fields. With Chinese progress and advancement in agriculture, as well as the input of new technologies, SCO cooperation in the agriculture field is going to make an impact." Rumman Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the SCO Secretariat said.

 

Saeed Chaudhry, director of the Islamabad Council for International Affairs, stated that SCO had provided useful references to all countries that are committed to neighborliness and common prosperity. He also commended that SCO continues to promote international cooperation in innovative ways, and build a constructive partnership that is non-aligned, non-confrontational, and non-targeted against third parties.