1st SCO People's Forum concludes with Xi'an Declaration, stressing role of NGOs

XI'AN, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The first Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) People's Forum adopted the Xi'an Declaration on Tuesday in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

The forum, held from April 9 to 10, attracted more than 80 participants from SCO members and observers as well as dialogue partners with the theme of "Promoting regional peace and cooperation, building a community with a shared future for humanity: the mission of non-governmental organizations (NGOs)."

Building a community with a shared future for humanity, a concept proposed by China, is also a consensus among the SCO states. The declaration commends the consensus, stating that it indicates the direction for the long-term prosperity and stability of the region.

The declaration suggests governments and NGOs carry out various exchange activities with relevant themes. Other proposals include working hard to eradicate poverty and advancing pragmatic cooperation to improve the well-being of the people.

The SCO has eight full members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and India. The host of the forum will submit its outcomes to the SCO summit to be held in June in Qingdao, a coastal city in east China. Enditem