Svetlana Smirnova spoke at the SCO International Women’s Forum

The International Women's Forum "The Voice of SCO Women: from Society to the International Arena" was held on June 8, 2026 in Tashkent. The event was held as part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The Forum was organized by the SCO People's Diplomacy Center in Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Youth Parliament under the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the University of World Economy and Diplomacy.

The event was attended by representatives of government and public organizations, the scientific and expert community, youth associations and women's organizations of the SCO member states.

Svetlana Smirnova, Chairperson of the General Council and First Deputy Secretary General, addressed the Forum on behalf of the World Peoples Assembly. She emphasized the special role of women in strengthening social harmony, developing humanitarian cooperation and promoting the values of peace, mutual understanding and good neighborliness. The speaker noted that women in many countries of the world initiate significant public, educational, cultural and charitable projects, make a significant contribution to the development of public diplomacy, the preservation of traditional values and the strengthening of intercultural dialogue.

Svetlana Smirnova paid special attention to the increasing role of women in international cooperation, science, education, public activities and decision-making processes. According to the speaker, the modern world needs to expand opportunities to realize the leadership potential of women and their more active participation in shaping the humanitarian agenda of the future.

Svetlana Smirnova also spoke about the activities of the World Peoples Assembly on the development of international humanitarian cooperation, public diplomacy and strengthening trust among peoples, noted the importance of expanding interaction between women of the SCO countries and expressed confidence that joint initiatives in the field of education, science, culture and youth cooperation will contribute to strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of Eurasia.

The Forum participants were informed about the preparations for the Second World Public Assembly "New World: Values that Unite", which will be held on September 18-19, 2026 in Moscow. Svetlana Smirnova invited representatives of women's organizations, the scientific community and institutes of public diplomacy of the SCO member states to take an active part in the work of the Assembly.

Concluding her speech, Svetlana Smirnova emphasized that women play a special role in forming a culture of trust, educating future generations and strengthening international cooperation, and their voice is becoming an increasingly important factor in the sustainable development of the modern world.

Additional information is available on the official website of the World Peoples Assembly and at media@world-assembly.org.