President Pezeshkian Speech at SCO Summit
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Mr. Xi Jinping; Honorable President of the People's Republic of China
On behalf of the great nation of Iran, I extend our profound gratitude for the exceptional hospitality and hosting of this summit, as well as for the People's Republic of China's steadfast dedication to the establishment and continued strengthening of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization."
Mr. Chairman, Honorable Presidents, Prime Ministers and Members
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization embodies its members' commitment to peace and stability in a world confronting incessant crises. Recent events, such as the unlawful June military aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran by the Zionist regime and the United States of America and the continued massacre of the oppressed people of Gaza, coupled with the proliferation of unlawful sanctions against various countries, demonstrate the international community's failure to establish effective global governance or safeguard peace and security.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has, since its inception, championed the principles of mutual trust and benefit, equality, consultative decision-making, respect for cultural diversity, and common development. Dedicating itself to these tenets, the SCO has prioritized collective security and the enhancement of cooperation across numerous fields.
In unwavering adherence to these principles, the Islamic Republic of Iran hereby expresses its full readiness to play a substantive and fitting role in the Organization's endeavors.
It is the belief of the Islamic Republic of Iran that the SCO, constituting a crucial pillar of the emerging multipolar international order, must embark upon operational, specific, and transparent measures along two parallel paths: the construction of a more peaceful global community and the facilitation of deeper economic collaboration.
In this context, the Islamic Republic of Iran specifically proposes the establishment of a dedicated committee within the SCO to address two critical priorities: peacebuilding and enhancing financial cooperation to mitigate the impact of unilateral sanctions.
For peacebuilding, we propose a committee of member states' foreign ministers. This body would serve as the organization's primary intellectual and operational arm for crisis management. Its mandate would be to consult on crises threatening regional peace, formulate operational proposals, and establish a follow-up mechanism. Crucially, it must be able to convene immediately—upon any member's request—to address both potential and actual crises. This includes providing immediate support through all available channels whenever a member's sovereignty is violated.
The Islamic Republic of Iran proposes to strengthen the "Special Accounts and Settlements of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization" initiative as a practical mechanism to mitigate the impact of illegal sanctions on members' economic interactions. This initiative is built on three pillars:
- Expanding the use of national currencies for settlements to reduce dependence on the dollar.
- Developing common digital infrastructures and leveraging central bank digital currencies for secure, rapid payments.
- Establishing a multilateral currency swap fund to support countries facing sanctions or liquidity crises.
We are confident that implementing this initiative will not only enhance the economic resilience of member states but also establish the SCO as a successful model for a multipolar, fair, and resilient global financial order.
The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes initiatives—such as establishing specialized centers to address security threats and combat drug trafficking, developing rapid response mechanisms, creating a center for strategic studies, and expanding the organization's official languages—as effective steps toward strengthening collective cooperation and fostering lasting bonds between nations.
Furthermore, leveraging its unique geopolitical and transit position, Iran stands ready to provide a vital platform for expanding regional cooperation and creating new access routes for interested member states.
The imminent connection of Chabahar Port to Iran's national railway network will mark a significant milestone, creating a vital corridor linking China, Central Asia, and Afghanistan to the Indian Ocean. This enhanced connectivity presents a unique opportunity for investors, who are invited to leverage available facilities and incentives to develop and operate logistics centers at this strategic port.
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the Kyrgyz Republic on assuming the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for the coming year and once again declare the readiness of the Islamic Republic of Iran to advance the goals of the organization.
Thank you for your attention.