Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s justice ministers to meet

The Seventh Meeting of Ministers of Justice of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will be held virtually today.

The meeting, hosted by India’s Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, will be attended by justice ministers from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, and Tajikistan. Founded in 2001, the SCO seeks to further mutually beneficial economic, political and security policies for its member states. Combined, the group represents 42% of the global population and 20% of global GDP.

Of note, a stalemate agreed to by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding hostilities on its disputed border in Ladakh has eased tensions. Member states will today reflect on a renewed willingness to find common ground seeking long-term economic and energy cooperation.

Expect the SCO’s justice ministers to take positive steps towards resolving currently prominent economic and intellectual property disputes. Furthermore, it is likely discussion will gravitate towards the implementation of the Action Plan of the Working Groups of Experts on Forensic Activities and Legal Services. The results of the meeting will signal increased regional integration. However, the effectiveness of SCO’s agreements are contingent on stability and will be on trial in the future as regional tensions wax and wane.