Kamran, who is also the president of the non-partisan Centre for Pakistan and Gulf Studies, took part in the Global Conference on Multipolarity that was held online on Saturday. The conference provided a platform to discuss multipolarity in today's world and featured politicians, experts, scientists, philosophers, journalists and other public figures from all over the world.
"The Western dominance over the world is rapidly deteriorating, and the signs of a new international order can be seen on the horizon. New structure could mean greater and just representation and influence for developing countries. A multipolar world encourages the formation of strategic partnerships among states. Russia and China have already formed such a strategic partnership, known as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization," Kamran said.
BRICS is another such platform pushing forward a multipolar world order, the Pakistani politician stated, adding that as of 2021, 3,6 billion people lived in the SCO and BRICS countries, according to the World Bank data, with the combined gross domestic product of the member states reaching around $24.38 trillion.
"These statistics cannot be ignored. They are indicative of the new emerging power centers, outside the Western capitals. In September 2022, the SCO bloc agreed to take steps to increase the use of national currencies in trade between their countries to reduce its reliance on the US dollar and other Western currencies, whereas the BRICS alliance is already working to create its own currency, which ‘does not defend the dollar or euro,'" Kamran explained.
The Pakistani politician also pointed out the expansion of the SCO since a number of Asian countries have joined the organization in recent years.
"Today, the Central, South and West Asian countries have become a part of this organization as members and dialogue partners. Just last year, Iran became a full member, and recently the Kingdom of the Saudi Arabia became a dialogue partner. These developments have significant implications as it showcases the multilateralism of the organization, and the trust they have in SCO," the former senator argued.
Recent geopolitical developments that are conducive to multipolarity present both opportunities and challenges, the politician noted.
A more balanced power structure could mean greater representation and influence for developing countries in international affairs leading to more equitable and just global governance arrangements, according to Kamran. At the same time, the rise of multiple centers of power could also lead to increasing competition and conflict among nations, she concluded.
The SCO is an international organization founded by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Russia and Uzbekistan in 2001. In 2017, India and Pakistan were also admitted to the organization. The SCO also has Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia as observer states, while Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey are partner countries. In July 2022, Belarus submitted its application to join the SCO as a full-fledged member.