The online summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) stands out as one of the most significant events of the past week. The SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organization established in June 2001 in Shanghai by China, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan (Astana Times). The organization serves as an important regional platform for political, economic, security, and defense cooperation.

The summit featured a multitude of events and discussions. The most important developments were the announcement of Kazakhstan’s upcoming Chairmanship of the organization, and the Secretary-General of the SCO declaring Iran as a full member (Asia-Plus, Sputnik Tajikistan). Journalists covering the news in Tajikistan noted that Iran’s participation in the SCO offers significant prospects for Tajikistan to bolster economic and trade ties with the nation and furthermore, enhance security measures against terrorism, reinforcing Tajikistan’s security framework. On July 4, the day after the SCO online summit, Kazakhstan's President Tokayev provided an outline of the top strategic goals for Kazakhstan's upcoming chairmanship (Astana Times, Kursiv Media). President Tokayev emphasized the significance of international organizations and the role of the United Nations in facilitating a more representative, democratic, and multipolar world amid a fundamental restructuring of the international order and unprecedented rises in geopolitical tensions.

Aside from Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev’s proposal to create a joint investment fund (Kazakhstan Today, Qaz Monitor), in light of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the SCO nations stressed the importance of an inclusive government and called for ongoing assistance to the people of the country (UZ Daily). The President of Kyrgyzstan in particular noted the paramount significance of upholding peace and stability in Afghanistan, adding that fostering constructive relations with Afghanistan is a priority for his government. He also emphasized the importance of non-interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan and advocated for respecting the rights of the people of Afghanistan to shape their own future (AKI Press, 24 KG).

In other news, the Brussels Energy Club (BREC) held its inaugural conference on energy sustainability and security in Central Asia on July 4 (Astana Times, BREC). The event was organized in partnership with the diplomatic missions of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan to the European Union. Four panel discussions during the conference looked at regional and interregional cooperation in implementing the energy transition in Central Asia. Importantly, it was noted that almost 78 percent of Kazakhstan's current greenhouse gas emissions originate in the country's energy sector (Astana Times; The World Bank). Previously, and in order to decarbonize the energy sector and advance green transition, the EU and Kazakhstan signed a strategic partnership on raw materials, batteries and renewable hydrogen in October 2022 (Astana Times).

In Kyrgyzstan, the week commenced with the arrival of Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Zambry Abdul Kadir (AKI Press, 24 KG, Sputnik). During the visit, officials from the two countries engaged in talks encompassing diverse aspects such as economic, trade, political, and cultural relations. The focus was on exploring avenues to enhance cooperation in these areas. Notably, a direct flight from Kyrgyzstan to Malaysia was launched earlier last week, aiming to foster bilateral relations and propel closer ties between the two nations (24 KG).

In Uzbekistan, the government announced that it is going to benefit from a recently approved World Bank grant for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting the efficient use of energy resources, and accessing international carbon markets (KUN; AKI Press). The Innovative Carbon Resource Application for Energy Transition Project for Uzbekistan (iCRAFT) is the first operation supported by the World Bank’s Transformative Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF), which helps developing nations fulfill their commitments under the Paris Agreement to reduce national emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change.

Lastly, the United Nations (UN) unveiled a transformative Strategic Framework for Afghanistan for the 2023-2025 period to address the dire situation of human rights violations in the country. This comprehensive plan is designed to bring about substantial improvements and address the pressing challenges faced by Afghanistan (Ariana News, Khaama, Asia-Plus). The UN, in collaboration with its partners, has reportedly identified key areas of support to uphold and protect basic human rights in Afghanistan. These areas encompass crucial domains such as health, education, nutrition, employment, and safety. The objective is to ensure that every individual can access these rights without encountering any forms of discrimination. The implementation of the Framework is crucial as relying solely on humanitarian aid is insufficient to address the extensive human rights violations occurring in Afghanistan, particularly in relation to women’s rights. The magnitude of suffering necessitates a comprehensive approach that goes beyond immediate relief and focuses on long-term strategies for promoting and safeguarding human rights. The incumbent authorities in Afghanistan are known for imposing stringent restrictions on women, curbing their rights and freedoms. These restrictions included prohibitions on working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), accessing secondary and tertiary education, and visiting public places unaccompanied by men. Hence, the success of the new UN Strategic Framework will depend on the actions and approaches adopted by Afghanistan’s authorities.