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China Hosts SCO Forum for Women’s Economic Empowerment through Digitalization
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China to work with all parties to promote women’s causes via digital empowerment says Chinese President Xi Jinping
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Women, opens in Qingdao
By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia
Qingdao : The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Women, themed “Women’s Economic Empowerment through Digitalization” has opened in Qingdao, the coastal city of Shandong province of China.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Women is dedicated to expanding women’s rights and opportunities in Central Asian countries.
The 2024 edition of Forum is featuring bilateral meetings, a welcome banquet, and a women’s handicraft exhibition.
This forum serves as a crucial platform for women from SCO member states to strengthen ties and drive collaborative growth. #FocusOnQingdao
The gathering of women at forum also highlights the SCO’s commitment to expanding women’s rights and opportunities.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a congratulatory letter to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Forum on Women.
In his message, Xi said that women are important promoters of human civilization and social progress and have scored remarkable achievements in all walks of life. Since the forum’s launch, women of various countries, upholding the Shanghai Spirit, have contributed to the building of an even closer SCO community of a shared future.
It is hoped that the forum can continue to play a positive role in promoting amity and people-to-people interconnectivity among various countries, injecting fresh impetus into forging closer cultural bonds of SCO, Xi added.
Xi also stated that China is willing to work with all parties to promote scientific and technological innovation and the development of women’s causes via digital empowerment, and to jointly build a better SCO family.
Since the SCO’s inception 22 years ago, member states have developed key legislative documents on gender equality and approved relevant national programmes.
These documents have provided a strong legal foundation for addressing gender equality issues in the SCO region.
The forum covers various topics, such as the participation of women in science, education and innovation; the use of digital technologies; reducing poverty through the expansion of women’s economic rights and opportunities; promoting entrepreneurship and innovation among women; and enhancing the role of women in the global economy.
The forum is co-organized by the SCO, the All-China Women’s Federation (ACF), and the Shandong Provincial People’s Government, the forum gathers representatives from 26 countries.
Azerbaijan is represented at the event by the delegation led by Bahar Muradova, Chairperson of Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Family, Women and Children’s Affairs.
Shen Yiqin, Chinese State Councilor and ACF President, Zulaykho Makhkamova, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Li Hui, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs, as well as Zhang Ming, SCO Secretary General made opening remarks, highlighting women’s active involvement in the socio-political and cultural life.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, established by China and Russia in 2001, is a Eurasian grouping fostering coopetition in political, economic, international security and defence areas.
SCO comprises of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, the acting president of Iran and the Foreign Minister of India while Belarus joined the SCO as the tenth full member state of the organization in July 2024.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has emerged as a pivotal force is fostering regional and global cooperation under the Silk Road Spirit of mutual respect. Over the past 5 years, mutual trade between the SCO countries increased 1.5-fold — from $336 billion in 2019 to $490 billion in 2023.The main trading partners in the region are China with 64.6 percent of all mutual trade and Russia with 26.2 percent. Kazakhstan’s share is 3.3 percent.
