Belarus is ready to share its expertise and knowledge in drafting and implementing integrated program documents in technology and innovations and to take part in tech initiatives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Chairman of Belarus' State Science and Technology Committee Aleksandr Shumilin said at the opening of the 5th conference for the heads of the science and technology ministries and agencies of the SCO member states, BelTA learned from the press service of the State Science and Technology Committee.

In his words, as far as cooperation with the SCO is concerned, Belarus would like to focus on information and communication technology (e-government, smart city, information security), innovative infrastructure development, introduction of advanced resource-saving and eco-friendly technology. Aleksandr Shumilin put forward an initiative to set up an SCO training and presentation base to conduct training and exchange knowledge in farm technology and modern transport infrastructure, including in the fields of multi-modal transportation and logistics centers.

Belarus has amassed a wealth of experience in implementing multilateral research projects. For example, Belarus is one of the parties that developed the CIS Interstate Innovative Cooperation Program for the period till 2020. This program helped establish and maintain an efficient managerial system in the respective field and set up national innovation promotion structures in the CIS states, build an adequate legal framework comprising 31 documents. At present, ten interstate innovative projects are running.

“The CIS Interstate Innovative Cooperation Program for the period till 2020 has proved its worth. It has generated some valuable outcomes and encouraged researchers to deepen cooperation. In this regard, work is underway to draft a similar program that will run through 2030,” Aleksandr Shumilin said.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is an international organization set up in 2001. Its member states are India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. There are also four observer states, including Belarus which got its observer status in 2015.