President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to contribute to the development of the entire Eurasia, considering the Organisation one of the most influential international Organisations, as well as urged for strengthening cooperation between the SCO and the United Nations. In his speech during the opening of the SCO+ meeting held in the extended format, Tokayev indicated that the SCO for nearly a quarter of a century, has become important in the system of international relations, contributing significantly to ensuring sustainable growth and comprehensive progress, and that fruitful interaction in the fields of politics, security, economics, and culture between the countries of the Organisation determines the course of development of the entire Eurasia. The President of Kazakhstan put forward a number of proposals to give new impetus to interaction among member states, saying that the collective promotion of peaceful and harmonious devel opment work remains a fundamental task of the SCO. "I am confident that only collective efforts and wise diplomacy can help settle the existing core contradictions in the world and ensure long-term stability. In this context, high hopes are pinned on the UN, which will mark its 80th anniversary next year," the Kazakh President said. He added that the SCO enhances the role of the UN, as the main international institution for ensuring global security capable of effectively addressing the challenges of the 21st century. The President of Kazakhstan also proposed to adopt a resolution of the UN General Assembly in support of the Just Peace, Harmony and Development Initiative ahead of the UN's 80th anniversary and 20th jubilee of the UN-SCO cooperation. In turn, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized the world's division on the issue of tackling climate change. "2023 was the hottest year on record, but it could be one of the coolest years of the future. The gathering impacts of the crisis are already hitting your countries hard, from melting glaciers to deadly floods, storms, droughts, and extreme heat. This is just a taste of what is to come. Our climate is breaking down, threatening water and food security, undermining sustainable development, driving displacements, and fueling political instability," said the UN Secretary-General in his speech during the SCO summit. Guterres emphasized the urgent need for increased ambition in reducing emissions and achieving climate justice. He called on developed nations and major emitters to lead this effort, adhering to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The 24th SCO summit of heads of state kicked off Thursday morning in Astana, Kazakhstan. The summit, held in the format of the "SCO+" under the rotating presidency of Kazakhstan, began with a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Organisation's member states at the Palace of Independence in Astana. The SCO, an international political, economic, and security Organisation, was e stablished on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China. Its membership includes nine countries: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, and Iran. The number of countries that hold the status of "dialogue partner" with the Organisation so far is 14 countries, namely the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, the Maldives, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Belarus and Mongolia hold the observer member status. Source: Qatar News Agency