1st Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Forum on Women Held in Beijing

The first Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Forum on Women opens in Beijing. [Women of China/Fan Wenjun]

The first Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Forum on Women, held by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), was convened in Beijing on May 16.

The theme of the forum was "Harnessing the Power of Women for Common Development".

Some 200 representatives attended the Forum, including participants from the SCO member states, observer states and dialogue partners as well as diplomats of relevant SCO countries' embassies in China and representatives of the SCO Secretariat and UN agencies.

Shen Yueyue, Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and President of the ACWF [Women of China/Fan Wenjun]

Shen Yueyue, Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and President of the ACWF, attended and addressed the opening ceremony. She pointed out that since the SCO was established in 2001, its members have been exerting efforts to build a community with shared future. She added Chinese President Xi Jinping made five proposals at last year's SCO summit in Astana, stating clearly the direction of future development of the organisation.

The forum on women was not only an active implementation of President Xi’s proposals, but also a platform for exchanges and cooperation among SCO countries, on women and on the well-being of peoples, which contributed wisdom and strength to building a community with shared future for mankind.

Shen proposed three suggestions for women's communication among SCO countries.

First, women from SCO countries should always remain true to their original aspiration and carry forward the "Shanghai Spirit" featuring mutual trust, mutual respect, equality, mutual consultations, respect for cultural diversity and a desire for common development. Second, SCO countries should deepen practical cooperation and strengthen women's cultural exchanges. Third, SCO countries should remain open and inclusive for common development.

She concluded that the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government have always attached great importance to women's development. Under the firm leadership of the Central Committee of the CPC with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, Chinese women's causes have made new progress, and Chinese women have made a full play of their unique role in holding up half of the sky in the Chinese dream of revitalizing the nation. We would like to join hands with women in all SCO countries to harness the power of women, take concrete actions to contribute to the advancement of the SCO countries, promote international cooperation for the "Belt and Road"  Initiative, and enhance the lasting peace and common prosperity in the world.

Song Xiuyan, Vice President and First Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation, presides over the opening ceremony. [Women of China/Fan Wenjun]

Rashid Alimov, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretary-General [Women of China/Fan Wenjun]

Tanzila Narbaeva, Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister and President of the National Women's Committee [Women of China/Fan Wenjun]

Qian Hongshan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China [Women of China/Fan Wenjun]

Song Xiuyan, Vice President and First Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, presided over the opening ceremony. Those who attended and addressed the Forum also included Tanzila Narbaeva, Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister and President of the National Women's Committee; Qian Hongshan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China; and Rashid Alimov, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretary-General.

(Women of China)