Iran’s President Calls on SCO to Promote Peace, Boost Economic Cooperation

Addressing the 25th SCO summit in China’s Tianjin on Monday, Pezeshkian described the organization as a key pillar of multipolarity in the emerging world order. He stressed that the SCO should pursue two parallel paths: implementing concrete steps to ensure a more peaceful international environment and creating favorable conditions for the expansion of economic cooperation among its members.

To support these objectives, the president proposed a specialized initiative, the “Accounts and Settlements of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” aimed at consolidating financial cooperation and reducing the impact of unlawful sanctions. He outlined that this initiative would expand the use of national currencies in trade and financial settlements to reduce reliance on the US dollar, develop shared digital infrastructure and central bank digital currencies for secure and efficient transactions, and establish a multilateral currency swap fund to assist countries facing sanctions or liquidity shortages.

Pezeshkian also called for forming a committee of foreign ministers to monitor regional crises, develop actionable proposals for crisis management, and provide timely responses to violations of national sovereignty. Such a mechanism, he argued, would enhance the SCO’s role as a guardian of peace and stability in the region.

The president underlined that the SCO embodies the principles of trust, equality, cultural diversity, and mutual benefit. He highlighted the organization’s consistent efforts to ensure collective security and advance cooperation across multiple sectors, emphasizing Iran’s readiness to contribute actively to these goals.

In his address, Pezeshkian noted the significance of regional solidarity amid recent geopolitical challenges, citing the illegal military aggression against Iran and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He also highlighted Iran’s strategic location as a bridge between Asia and the Persian Gulf, stressing its potential to facilitate regional trade and transit. He announced that the Port of Chabahar, located on the Indian Ocean, would soon be connected to Iran’s national railway network, significantly improving connectivity between China, Central Asia, and Afghanistan.

Referring to the SCO’s long-term development strategy, the president described it as a historic opportunity to enhance cooperation in infrastructure, energy, technology, digital economy, climate change, and cultural exchanges. He reiterated Iran’s commitment to actively supporting these initiatives and fostering sustainable partnerships within the organization.

Concluding his remarks at the 25th summit, Pezeshkian congratulated Kyrgyzstan on assuming the rotating presidency of the SCO and reaffirmed Iran’s strong commitment to advancing the organization’s objectives and collective efforts.