URUMQI -- Representatives of political parties from countries in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have expressed readiness to jointly tackle transnational challenges such as climate change, poverty and extremism, pursue universal security and promote global economic and social stability.

　　At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Political Parties Forum held on Wednesday and Thursday in Urumqi, capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, a clear message was sounded -- political parties, as the foundation of democracy and the voice of the people, must lead efforts to address pressing challenges.

　　The event was held in response to an initiative proposed at last year's SCO Astana Summit, and its successful hosting is an important milestone ahead of the SCO Tianjin Summit this autumn, which will be held under China's rotating presidency, according to SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev.

　　During the two-day forum, over 200 representatives of more than 60 political parties from SCO member states, observer states and dialogue partners discussed the role of political parties in strengthening economic and cultural interconnectivity under the framework of the SCO.

　　Over the 24 years since its establishment in Shanghai, the SCO has grown from a regional organization composed of six member states into a large trans-regional “family“ of 26 countries, contributing to both regional stability and global prosperity.

　　The SCO member states now account for nearly half of the global population and about a quarter of the global economy.

　　“The world today is confronted with new geopolitical, economic, and environmental challenges, and the SCO offers a valuable platform for us to seek solutions collaboratively,“ stated Zamirbek Askarov, first vice chairman of the Alyans (Alliance) Party of Kyrgyzstan, during the forum.