UWED students took part in the IX Model SCO in Tajikistan

On March 29-31, 2022, in the city of Guliston (Republic of Tajikistan), the IX interactive game "Model SCO" was held, in which students and young scientists from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan took part. The joint event dedicated to the upcoming SCO summit in Samarkand this fall was organized by the SCO Public Diplomacy Center in Uzbekistan and the SCO Friendship and Cooperation Center in Tajikistan. The initiative was supported by the SCO Secretariat. Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, branch of Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov, the University of World Economy and Diplomacy delegated their most active young representatives to the event, who during the educational process demonstrated deep knowledge in the field of modern international relations. In particular, the UWED delegation was represented by 3rd year students of the Faculty of International Relations - Jamalov Fazliddin, Otabekjonov Ramzbek, Umarova Nilyufar, Ergashev Temurbek, Makhsetov Dastan, Adilkhanova Shakhina, Sayidov Daler, 3rd year student of the Faculty of International Economics and Management - Husniddinhuzha Abdurahimov and 2nd year student of the Faculty of International Relations - Matnazarova Madina, headed by the Dean of the Faculty of International Relations Mirzoumid Khamdamov and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of the International Relations Ilkhomzhon Muminov.

In his address to the participants of the Model SCO, the Secretary General of the organization emphasized that “the SCO supports the strengthening of cooperation on youth issues among the SCO countries and strives to promote youth dialogue in the SCO Family in order to create a worthy platform for the exchange of young professionals. “Model SCO” is one of such events organized under the auspices of the SCO.” Opening the youth conference, Director of the SCO Public Diplomacy Center in Uzbekistan Kobiljon Sobirov noted that over the past years the SCO has become an important subject of world politics and has taken its rightful place among influential international structures. “The regional partnership based on the principles of the “Shanghai spirit” and the “Model SCO” has also significantly strengthened and demonstrates the growing interest of young people in the activities of the Organization aimed at strengthening mutual trust, friendship and good neighborliness between the peoples of our countries,” K. Sobirov said.

The participants of the Model SCO faced a very difficult task: to present themselves in the role of the heads of the SCO member states and, presenting the national vision of the problem and its solution, to comprehensively discuss the prospects for the development of the digital economy in Eurasia. This was confirmed by the theme of Model IX chosen by them: "Mission 2030 - Generation of the SCO as a key driver of the digitalization of the region." Judging by the presentations and statements made, as well as the exciting discussion held around the final joint statement, the participants of the model at the preparatory stage deeply analyzed the current state and problems of introducing digitalization into national economies, tried to imagine a picture of the digital economy of the near future. In this work, they were assisted by highly qualified specialists from leading educational institutions, as well as experts from SCOLAR Network - the Youth Platform of the SCO countries. R. Alimov, the former Secretary General of the SCO (2016-2018), monitored the preparation and holding of the interactive game "Model SCO" as a consultant.

During the lively exchange of views within the framework of the meeting, several noteworthy initiatives were voiced, which were submitted to the Council of National Coordinators of the SCO countries for study.

In particular, the participants proposed, within the framework of the SCO University, to allocate a special area (Institute) for training personnel in the field of ICT and digitalization; on the basis of the SCO RATS to open a Center for combating cybercrime; create a fund "Digital SCO"; develop a single tourist visa "SCO Tourist VISA"; develop a pilot project "Smart Agriculture" for its subsequent widespread distribution. However, the main thing is that, by participating in an interactive game, its participants prepare themselves for practical activities, learn how to manage the state and the ability to combine national interests with the prospects of the vast SCO region.

The prosperity of the region, the future of friendship and cooperation of the SCO member states will largely depend on the readiness of the "SCO generation" to take responsibility for practical decisions related to strengthening partnerships within the organization. The National Coordinators for SCO Affairs of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan A. Saidmurodzoda and R. Nurimbetov spoke about how important it is to take care of the "Shanghai spirit", good-neighborly, friendly relations that have developed in the SCO "family".

Based on the results of the interactive game "Model SCO", the best participants were identified, who were presented with memorable gifts and certificates.

The event was attended by Director of the SCO Center for Friendship and Cooperation in the Republic of Tajikistan, Doctor of Law, Professor Gafurzoda Abdukhalil Davlatali and Director of the SCO Center for Public Diplomacy in the Republic of Uzbekistan Kabulzhan Sabirov.

The participants of the event as part of the cultural program visited the famous Arbob Palace, where the historical XVI session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tajikistan took place 30 years ago, the Historical Museum of the Sughd region, as well as the National Complex "Pilaf Center".