The event brought together representatives of government agencies, business, the scientific community, diplomatic agencies, and world-class experts from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, India, China, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan.
The first International SCO Sustainable Development Forum kicked off in Omsk at the regional Congress Hall, opening a high-level dialogue platform designed to determine the vector of joint movement of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in the face of global challenges. At the opening of the Forum, Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, addressed the participants.
The announcement of 2025 as the SCO Year of Sustainable Development underscores the priority of this agenda for the participating countries and the need to consolidate efforts in the international arena.
The choice of Omsk as the venue for the forum is not accidental — the region demonstrates stable dynamics of development and actively implements the principles of environmental, social and economic responsibility. This confirms the increasing role of the Omsk region as a point of attraction for international experts, strategic initiatives and best practices.
The Forum has become a space for constructive dialogue between representatives of government, business and the scientific community. It discusses mechanisms for accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, the development of a "green" economy, the adaptation of regions to climate change, as well as the integration of sustainable development into the implementation of national and international projects.
The forum was organized by the Government of the Omsk Region, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation and the Association of Clusters, Technoparks and Special Economic Zones of Russia — this cooperation underlines the high status and scale of the event.
"The Omsk region, as a region actively developing in the context of modern challenges, is focused on the comprehensive achievement of sustainable development goals. We strive to become an example of a successful combination of economic growth with environmental and social responsibility. The forum, which we are holding with the support of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and the AKIT of the Russian Federation, will discuss the topics of green development of regions, the implementation of national projects, and plans for adaptation to climate change," said Vitaly Khotsenko, Governor of the Omsk Region.
The forum's program covers key areas of sustainable development: from demonstrating successful regional initiatives and strengthening the role of business in territorial development to involving young people through interactive platforms.
One of the significant events will be the presentation of the Strategy for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the Omsk Region until 2030, a document that will define the long—term agenda of the region within the framework of the global architecture of sustainable development.