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International trade

SCO Members Voice Support for Iran, Uzbekistan, and Belarus's WTO Accession

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has expressed its support for the accession of Iran, Uzbekistan, and Belarus to the World Trade Organization (WTO) as part of efforts to promote a multilateral trading system. The SCO Council of Heads of State emphasized the importance of boosting trade cooperation among developing and less developed countries, and backed the three countries' accession to global markets. The move aligns with global efforts to support a fair trading system based on international rules. SCO members also stressed the need for WTO reform and broader cooperation to achieve practical outcomes at the WTO Ministerial Conference in 2026.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SCO has voiced its support for the accession of Iran, Uzbekistan, and Belarus to the WTO, with the aim of promoting a multilateral trading system.
  • The SCO Council of Heads of State has underlined the importance of boosting trade cooperation among developing and less developed countries.
  • The accession of the three countries is seen as part of global efforts to support a fair trading system based on international rules.
  • SCO members have emphasized the need for WTO reform and broader cooperation to deliver practical outcomes at the WTO Ministerial Conference in 2026.
  • The statement coincides with the WTO's 30th anniversary this year.
  • Since its founding, the WTO has provided an "open, stable and predictable" framework for global economic growth and has significantly contributed to trade liberalization and economic development.
  • SCO members have reaffirmed their commitment to core principles such as non-discriminatory trade and urged all parties to respect international trade rules, including those of the WTO.
  • Beijing intends to strengthen its cooperation with other SCO members and actively practice genuine multilateralism.
  • The SCO summit was held on August 31-September 1 in Tianjin, attended by the presidents of Iran, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as the prime ministers of India and Pakistan, and other leaders from Turkey, Armenia, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Statistics:

  • 30: The number of years since the World Trade Organization (WTO) was founded.
  • 3: The number of countries (Iran, Uzbekistan, and Belarus) that have been endorsed for accession to the WTO by SCO members.
  • 2026: The year in which the WTO Ministerial Conference is set to take place, with a focus on delivering practical outcomes through WTO reform and broader cooperation.
  • 30th Anniversary: The WTO's anniversary this year, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to promote global economic growth and trade liberalization.

Sources:

  • Chinese Ministry of Commerce official, cited in Xinhua
  • SCO Council of Heads of State declaration
  • WTO's 30th anniversary statement

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