Young leaders and emerging talents from member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) gathered in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan for a major forum aimed at strengthening youth collaboration, exchanging experience in creative industries, and fostering innovation through business startups. Organized by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information, the event supports broader initiatives to encourage cross-border cooperation among the next generation across SCO countries.
The meeting drew notable attendees, including the Chairman of the Committee on Youth and Family Affairs of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information, Kambarov; Deputy Akim of East Kazakhstan Region, E. Nurgaliyev; Zh. Kuanyshbekova of the Amanat ruling party’s youth wing; and a delegation from the SCO Secretariat. Over 200 young leaders representing various member states participated in the forum.
Key sessions included a plenary discussion on “SCO Youth Dialogue: Best Practices in the Sphere of Youth Policy,” highlighting successful strategies for youth engagement, as well as a panel on “The Role of Youth Policy Institutions in Preventing Drug Addiction among Young People,” addressing pressing social challenges faced by the region’s youth.
Adviser Jiao Huaisin of the SCO Secretariat emphasized the critical role of exchanges and cooperation in the organization’s work, noting that such events provide vital platforms for young people to connect and share ideas. He highlighted the significance of ongoing initiatives like the SCO Model, Young Leaders Forum, SCO Youth Camp, Student Art Festival, Youth Entrepreneurship Exchange Base, and the International Youth Entrepreneurship Incubator project. These efforts aim to nurture leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurial skills among the youth of SCO member states, setting the stage for sustained regional development and integration.
