The 17th conference of presidents of supreme courts of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states was held via video link on Aug 18. Hosted by the Supreme Court of Tajikistan, the conference focused on the communication of new issues arising in judicial areas and the exploration of new cooperation models. Zhou Qiang, president of the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) of China, attended and addressed the opening ceremony.

The 17th conference of presidents of supreme courts of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states is held via video link, Aug 18, 2022. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Zhou pointed out that the conference is a key platform for judicial communication and cooperation among SCO member states. He acknowledged the progress made by all member states in combating transnational crimes and cracking down on the three forces of separatism, extremism and terrorism, which have safeguarded regional peace and development and laid a solid foundation for the socioeconomic development of all member states.

Zhou said that profound changes in the world and the pandemic, both unseen in a century, are intertwined nowadays and present both opportunities and challenges. China's SPC is looking forward to closer communication and cooperation with courts of other SCO member states on the application of information technology, rule of law construction and judicial reforms, and in jointly promoting the rule of law, said Zhou.

He proposed to improve the platform for judicial cooperation by innovating ways of cooperation, promote the integration of information technology and judicial work, and optimize the region’s international judicial cooperation mechanism.

Efforts are also needed to expand the scope of cooperation to include measures of COVID-19 response, international judicial conferences, high-level exchanges and visits in judicial circles, professional seminars, judicial assistance and personnel training, he said.

He also suggested consolidating the achievements of judicial cooperation by upholding global governance based on extensive consultation, joint contributions and shared benefits. He expressed his hope to further deepen friendships and mutual trust, and to make breakthroughs in judicial cooperation by seeking common ground while respecting differences.

Shermuhammad Shokhiyon, president of the Supreme Court of Tajikistan, presided over the opening ceremony.

Justices from India, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Belarus, and Iran and officials from the SCO attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. They all acknowledged the SCO as an important force in safeguarding the stability and sustainable development of Eurasia, and believe that this conference will help strengthen mutual trust and understanding among judicial organs in SCO member states, which will facilitate further judicial cooperation and expand the judicial assistance mechanism under the framework.