Full text of joint communique on outcomes of 14th SCO prime ministers' meeting (Part II)

9. Heads of Governments point out the importance of interaction of relevant agencies, structures and companies of the SCO member states in the sphere of information and communication technologies, in particular in the field of exchange of experience on introduction and use of governance automatization technologies (e-government).

10. Heads of Governments highly appreciate the progress of implementation of the SCO Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Aid in Customs Affairs (2 November 2007, Tashkent), as well as other documents on cooperation in the sphere of customs. They have also noted that signing of the Program of interaction for customs agencies of the SCO member states for 2016-2021 will provide a new impulse for the development of cooperation on customs.

11. Heads of Governments have underlined the necessity for more active interaction in the field of agriculture via implementation of bilateral and multilateral projects in the fields of animal husbandry, plant cultivation, production and processing of agricultural goods, land reclamation, agricultural irrigation, development and introduction of innovative agricultural technologies, training of personnel, interaction on veterinary issues and plant quarantine, as well as participation in workshops, forums and exhibitions conducted in the SCO member states.

12. Heads of Governments note the importance of continuing mutually beneficial multi-dimensional cooperation in the sphere of energy, which includes the field of renewable and alternative energy sources.

Heads of Governments advocate stronger cooperation on environment protection, exchange of experience on building energy-efficient economy, promoting transition to low carbon footprint development among other goals to further reduce or limit emissions in the atmosphere, including greenhouse gases, as well as reduce proportion of energy consumption.

13. Heads of Governments welcome the input of the SCO Business Council and the SCO Interbank Consortium in promotion of cooperation and trade and economic ties in the framework of the Organization, advocated strengthening the activities of these structures on more active contacts between business and financial circles, as well as development of real economy.

Heads of Governments gave positive assessment to the activities of the Business Council on forming specialized platforms for cooperation and interaction between business structures of member states, observer states and dialogue partners of the Organization and believe that further work in this direction is required.

Heads of Governments have noted the success of the Interbank Consortium in establishing relations with financial institutions of observer states and dialogue partners of the SCO achieved in ten years of its existence.

14. Heads of Governments gave positive assessment to the results of cooperation of the SCO member states in cultural and humanitarian sphere, supported further development of multilateral and bilateral ties in the fields of culture, education, science and technology, healthcare, social protection of people, environment protection, tourism, emergency relief, justice, and media that promote better mutual understanding of the peoples, mutual enrichment and rapprochement of cultures, popularization of traditions and customs of peoples living in the territory of the SCO.

15. Heads of Governments gave positive assessment to the outcomes of the Meeting of Ministers of Culture of the SCO Member States (20 April 2015, Moscow). They noted that practical implementation of the SCO Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Culture (16 August 2007, Bishkek) is a great importance.

16. Heads of Governments noted the necessity of practical implementation of the SCO Intergovernmental Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, expedient start of the SCO Program for Scientific and Technological Partnership and strengthening of practical cooperation between member states in science and technology. (mo