Representatives from countries in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization have agreed to institutionalize their forum of political parties to facilitate exchanges for better development of the organization.

They also pledged to uphold the "Shanghai spirit" for regional peace and development, to exercise leadership for the shared future of SCO and to step up actions to increase the development momentum in their countries, said Guo Yezhou, deputy head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Political parties are the leaders in the development of countries, and closer exchanges between parties in SCO countries will play an important role in deepening the development of the organization, said Song Tao, head of the International Department.

The CPC is willing to work with political parties from SCO countries to build a shared future, he said at the first SCO Party Forum in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Saturday. About 200 representatives of more than 30 parties from 18 SCO members, observers and dialogue partner countries attended the event.

Sergey Zheleznyak, deputy secretary of the general council of the United Russia Party, suggested creating a forum of think tanks from SCO countries to create cooperative proposals. He also advocated more exchanges among youth, women and the media.

Political parties represent public opinion, so a party forum will allow them to elaborate public viewpoints and push forward the legal protection and integration of the SCO, he said. By sharing their experience related to the governance of countries and parties, including elections, they can enhance the dynamism and efficiency of the SCO, he added.

No other organization has brought all political parties together like this, which makes the SCO unique, said Anirban Ganguly, of India's Bharatiya Janata Party.

Through leadership, "we wish to give this entire group a much more dynamic future", he said, adding that "the future lies with the Shanghai spirit".

The SCO Party Forum illustrates that the scope of the organization has grown beyond governments alone to include the media, academia, youth and women, said Mushahid Hussain Syed, special envoy of the president of the Pakistan Muslim League (N).

Despite their differing ideologies, all political parties are devoted to working for peace, stability and prosperity and want their voices to be heard, said Omurkulov Isa Sheishenkulovich, chairman of the Kyrgyzstan's Social Democratic Party parliamentary group.

Political parties meeting together when their nations have come together in a regional initiative is important in building bridges of trust and understanding because, eventually, in all of the countries, it is the political leaders who make decisions about policy, international affairs and strategic connections, said Mukul Balkrishna Wasnik, general secretary of the Indian National Congress.

Political parties will play an increasing and indispensable role in the development of the SCO, with the party forum serving as a new platform for them to exchange their governance experience and development strategies, Guo said.

The 18th SCO summit is scheduled to convene in Qingdao, Shandong province, on June 9 and 10.

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(China Daily 05/28/2018 page4)