In April 2017, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing World Creativity and Innovation Day, which is celebrated annually on April 21.

This step of the UN is regarded as the Organization’s desire to attract the attention of a wide range of the public, official, scientific, technical and educational circles to the issue of developing creative thinking, creating conditions for the implementation of various innovations and their implementation in various spheres of human life.

One of the active links in the development of the state and society is innovation, which can have a positive impact on all spheres of life.

The introduction of advanced technologies improves and creates additional conditions for improving the standard of living. Building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and innovation is one of the points of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization pays high priority to enhancing cooperation in the development of science, technology and innovation, SCO Secretary General Vladimir Norov said in an article published in the Chinese newspaper “People’s Daily”.

Recognizing the importance of scientific and technological innovations as a key factor of medium-and long-term economic growth and global sustainable development, the member states intend to carry out joint scientific research, exchange experience between scientists and scientific organizations within the SCO.

In November 2019, the Fifth Meeting of Heads of ministries and departments for Science and Technology was held in Moscow in order to increase scientific, technical and innovative cooperation between the SCO countries, the participants of which agreed to develop a new “Road Map” for cooperation between research institutions of the SCO member states for the next 2021-2023.

In addition, on September 13, 2013, in Bishkek, the SCO member states signed an Intergovernmental Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation in such areas as environmental Protection and Rational Use of Natural Resources, nanosystems and materials, information and telecommunications technologies, energy and energy conservation, etc.

In order to develop scientific and technical cooperation in the above-mentioned areas, the SCO member states agreed to organize scientific and technical research, develop and implement joint scientific and technical programs and projects.

In order to increase cooperation, the parties hold various competitions and events to promote science and technology among young people and the younger generation.

Against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of Internet platforms is growing, which not only accelerate the full digitalization of the service sector, but also create a large number of jobs with new business formats, becoming a new incentive to stabilize employment.

The pandemic has made it clear that digitalization and ICTs are absolutely necessary for the continued functioning of many spheres and society as a whole. The future belongs to those who can effectively use the huge potential of the IT industry and will be able to create and use innovative solutions.

Norov expressed confidence that the SCO region, with its potential and creative youth ready to bring innovative solutions, as well as digitalization with large-scale transformations in the economic sphere, will become the locomotive of the world economy in the coming decades.

Given the importance of innovation and the digital economy as key drivers of economic growth, the SCO member states pay great attention to cooperation in the development of e-commerce and the promotion of startup initiatives.

Education, including its scientific component, is an integral part of the SCO humanitarian cooperation. The Meeting of the Ministers of Education of the SCO member States is working effectively in this direction.

In addition, the project of the International service “SCO Youth Map” is successfully implemented, and the international festivals “Student Spring of the SCO and BRICS countries “are held annually. These events range from SCO model meetings to intellectual competitions “Leader of the XXI Century”, as well as open days, conferences and round tables.

Young people with their energy, innovative and bold ideas are an important support for the further development of the SCO in various aspects of its activities.

The SCO member states emphasize the importance of ensuring favorable socio-economic conditions, the availability of opportunities for education, self-expression, the disclosure of creative potential and the realization of work activities for young segments of the population, Norov concluded.