Representatives from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states convened in Beijing on Sunday for a tree planting activity, highlighting a unified effort toward sustainable development while further consolidating ties with China.
At the SCO Youth Friendship Forest located in the Beijing Wildlife Park, representatives planted trees symbolizing their nations, followed by the collective planting of white pine trees, which are emblems of enduring friendship. This symbolic act reflected the unity and friendship of the SCO family.
SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev delivered a speech emphasizing the significance of the event in advancing the organization's mission to foster people-to-people exchanges, promote sustainable development, and cultivate harmony and mutual understanding. "This year is called the year of sustainable development, and this activity that we did today is a small part in that effort. This year, it's the presidency of China in SCO, and we see a lot of activities being organized, more than 100 activities have been organized. China is taking an active role in promoting the further development of our organization," said SCO Deputy Secretary-General Janesh Kane, who also participated in the activity.
Assuming the rotating presidency of the SCO for 2024-2025, China will host the SCO summit in northern Tianjin Municipality this autumn.
Under the theme "Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move," China has spearheaded over 100 initiatives spanning political, security, economic, and people-to-people fields. Already, more than one-third of these events have successfully been implemented, demonstrating tangible progress.
With nine member states, three observer states and 14 dialogue partners, the SCO is now the world's largest regional organization in terms of geographical scale and population.
Representatives of SCO members plant friendship trees in Beijing
