Women and Innovative Development

The world economy is making a difficult recovery amidst deep adjustments. The gap between rich and poor and between North and South is widening. Global growth lacks robust driving forces, which makes it difficult to sustain the steady growth of the world economy.  Global economic governance lags behind and is difficult to adapt to new changes in world economy. The uneven global development makes it difficult to meet people's expectations for a better life. Therefore, we need to innovate so as to find a way out of the prolonged economic slowdown.

Throughout the history of human development, innovation has always been an important force leading the development of human society. The Joint Communiqué on Outcomes of the 16^th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Governments (Prime Ministers) of the SCO Member States emphasized that "innovation and the digital economy are key factors for medium and long-term economic growth and global sustainable development".  To pursue innovation is to pursue development, and to innovate is to plan for the future. In the period after the international financial crisis, countries need to seek new development momentum from reform and innovation. Women are great workforce and also an important force to promote innovation and development. There is a growing number of outstanding women in the world who contribute endless power to theoretical, institutional, scientific and technological and cultural innovation. In this regard, the relevant SCO countries shall further strengthen exchanges and cooperation, encourage and support women in their participation in innovative practices, further release their productive forces and power for social innovation, in order to actively contribute to the long-term prosperity of the region and to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

We look forward to sharing women's practice in innovative development in various fields under this topic to explore ways to further tap into and encourage women's potential in innovative fields and to boost the comprehensive economic and social development of all countries, and intensify exchanges and cooperation among women's institutions and organizations under the SCO framework, therefore providing assistance and support for women's participation in innovative development.

(Women of China)