XI'AN, CHINA, April 13: The first Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) People's Forum concluded in Xi'an of Shaanxi Province, issuing a six-point Xi'an Declaration that vows to promote cooperation among NGOs in the region to fight against endemic poverty in the region.

The declaration issued after over 80 delegates from SCO member states, observer states and dialogue partners held deliberation for two days also highlights the important role of SCO in maintaining regional peace and stability, promoting democratic international relations and reforming and improving global governance. 

Nepal became a dialogue partner of the SCO in 2015, as two other SAARC member states India and Pakistan received full membership of the China-led regional body in 2017. 

Organized jointly by China NGO Network for International Exchanges and the People's Government, the Declaration adopted by the forum on April 10 has also pledged to carry out livelihood cooperation and strive to eliminate poverty in the region. 

"Livelihood cooperation should be an important field for SCO countries to cooperate, so that people of different countries can all share the fruits of development. Government should be fully aware of the importance of poverty alleviation and take coordinated and effective measures to implement the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and advance poverty alleviation," the declaration further said, while emphasizing the role of NGOs in the region to promote experience sharing in poverty alleviation. 

"We carry our practical cooperation and improve the livelihood of the people. We should take the opportunity brought along by the Belt and Road Initiative and promote the connecting of development strategies of different countries," it further said. 

Former Prime Minister and senior leader of CPN-UML Madhav Nepal attended the event as a guest speaker from Nepal. Addressing the inaugural session, former Prime Minister Nepal said Nepal ardently believes that SCO is important to promote strategic coordination and regional cooperation among countries in the Central Asia, East Asia and the South Asia. 

 
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