[Title] JOINT COMMUNIQUE Meeting of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

A regular meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (hereinafter referred to as the SCO and/or the Organization) was held on December 4 and 5, 2012 in Bishkek. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister S. Ahmetov of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Premier of the State Council Wen Jiabao of the People's Republic of China, Prime Minister Zh. Satybaldiev of the Kyrgyz Republic, Prime Minister D. Medvedev of the Russian Federation, Prime Minister A. Akilov of the Republic of Tajikistan and First Deputy Prime Minister R. Azimov of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Zh. Satybaldiev of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The SCO Secretary General M. Imanaliev, Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Antiterrorist Structure D. Dzhumanbekov, Chairman of the Board of the SCO Business Council D. Mezentsev and Chairman of the Board of the SCO Interbank Association R. Akmatbekov participated in the meeting.

The meeting was attended and addressed by the representatives of the SCO observer states - Prime Minister N. Altanhuyag of Mongolia, First Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran M. Rahimi, Second Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan M. Halili, Minister of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan K. Kayra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of India S. Singh.

In a friendly, constructive and businesslike atmosphere, the heads of government of the member states exchanged views on a wide range of issues of global and regional economic situation, and discussed relevant aspects of the development of trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation within the SCO and reached the following understanding.

1. The heads of government have noted that, despite certain signs of recovery in the world economy, the serious consequences of the international financial and economic crisis have not yet been entirely mitigated. The world economy is exposed to the threats of a new wave of recession, decline in production, increased debt and growing unemployment. These processes remain relevant and require joint efforts to address them.

The SCO member states seek to ensure that the global economy prevails over recession threat and follows the track of sustainable long-term growth. By ensuring their own successful socio- economic development and strengthened economic cooperation, they will contribute to the solution of this problem. The SCO member states intend to deepen practical cooperation in economy, finance, investment, transport and telecommunications, alternative energy, science and technology, innovation, energy, agriculture, customs, etc., thereby realizing the existing potential of cooperation development for the benefit of their peoples and the region.

The SCO member states seek to establish close comprehensive mutually beneficial and equal cooperation with other organizations and institutions that respect the SCO fundamental principles and objectives in order to promote regional economic cooperation.

2. The heads of government noted that following the meeting of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the SCO member states in St. Petersburg (November 7, 2011), the economic and humanitarian cooperation had intensified.

The parties have stressed that, in spite of apparent instability in the world economic development, the SCO region is noted for stability, GDP growth trends and investment attractiveness.

In order to promote continued development of multilateral cooperation within the Organization, the governments of the member states will work together to ensure practical implementation of the agreements reached during the meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO member states in Beijing (June 6-7, 2012) and the provisions of the Plan of Actions for the implementation of the Program of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation among SCO Member States.

3. The heads of government stressed the need for combined efforts to develop and implement joint projects of mutual interest. In this regard, relevant ministries and agencies of the member states have been mandated to take practical measures to implement the List of Measures for further development of the project activities within the SCO for the period 2012–2016, approved by the current meeting.

4. The heads of government noted the positive outcome the meeting of SCO member states' ministers in charge of external economic and trade relations held on November 13, 2012 in Bishkek, which reviewed the progress in the implementation of the decisions taken in the economic area.

The SCO Business Council and SCO Interbank Association have been recommended to take a more active part in the implementation of promising joint projects in the framework of economic and financial cooperation within the Organization.

5. The heads of government reaffirm their intention to continue their efforts aimed at strengthening the economic potential of their countries and stability of national financial systems, in particular, augment the capital and liquidity of national credit institutions, diversifying production and enhance competitiveness.

In order to further develop trade, economic and investment cooperation, it has been considered necessary to intensify financial and economic cooperation within the Organization. In this context, the meeting noted the importance of the second meeting of finance ministers and chairmen of the central (national) banks of the SCO member states which was held in May 2012 in Beijing.

In accordance with the instruction by the heads of government of November 7, 2011, relevant ministries and agencies of the member states, jointly with the SCO Secretariat, will continue to focus on the review of issues related to the establishment of the SCO Development Fund (Special Account) and the SCO Development Bank.

The heads of government consider necessary to continue to further strengthen the role of the SCO Interbank Association (IBA) in cooperation among the SCO member states in an area of attracting investment and providing financial support for the development of the economy, creating new jobs and improving the welfare of the population, in accordance with the mid-term Strategy of IBA further development (2012-2016) within the SCO.

6. The heads of government noted the importance of more efficient use of existing transit potential of the SCO member states, further improvement of transport infrastructure and strengthened legal framework for transport cooperation in order to promote trade and economic cooperation within the SCO framework.

The heads of government considered it important to expand cooperation in road and rail transport and in creation and use of modern international multimodal logistics centers on the territory of SCO member states.

7. The heads of government noted the need to advance the work on the pilot projects "SCO Information Superhighway" and "Electronic Transnational Cooperation based on electronic signature".

8. The heads of government stressed the importance of further intensification of customs cooperation. In this regard, they noted the significance of the signing of the Memorandum between the customs services of the SCO member states on cooperation in the protection of intellectual property rights.

9. The heads of government recognized advisability of continued cooperation within the Organization in energy efficiency, reduced impact of fuel and energy complex on environment and climate, development and use of alternative energy, and introduction of innovative and environmentally friendly technologies.

10. The heads of government noted the need to continue the implementation of agreed measures aimed at joint efforts to address the threats of natural and man-made disasters in order to improve a rapid response capacity.

The heads of government expressed their appreciation for the work done by the ministries and departments of the SCO member states responsible for disaster management, which resulted in the signing of the Protocol to the Agreement between the governments of SCO member states on cooperation in providing assistance in emergency situations.

11. The heads of government consider necessary to continue working together on the development of cooperation in environmental protection within the SCO framework.

12. The heads of government stressed the importance of developing cooperation in public health and expressed support for deepened comprehensive cooperation in this field.

Noting positive development of the cooperation in combating the spread of communicable diseases, the heads of government called for further expansion of cooperation in the field of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population.

13. The heads of government positively assessed the results of the cooperation in cultural and humanitarian area and noted the importance of the implementation of the agreements reached at the meeting of ministers of culture of SCO member states (June 4 – 7, 2012). They called for the development of cooperation in the field of culture, sport and tourism, science and technology, environment, strengthening a centuries-old tradition of harmonious coexistence of different peoples, religions and civilizations.

14. The heads of government have called for the intensification of cooperation with the SCO observer states and dialogue partners, and welcome engaging the capacity of these countries in the framework of the joint activities of the Organization.

15. The heads of government approved the report of the SCO Secretariat on the implementation of the Program of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation among the Organization's member states.

The meeting reviewed a number of issues related to the financial and organizational activities of the SCO permanent bodies and approved the Organization's budget for 2013.