Geopolitics, major powers and regional security

Igor Ivanov, former secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation

Ivanov said the experience from China-Russian ties has influenced the international system in terms of some multilateral mechanism, including BRICS and the SCO. "These mechanisms were built under the same principles that China-Russian ties depend on. However, the SCO is not competing with the Belt and Road Initiative or with regional organizations like ASEAN. "We are not imposing our own will on others through a mechanism but developing it to benefit all," he said

Hamid Karzai, former president of Afghanistan

Karzai made four points he believes are key to the Afghanistan peace process: 1. The peace talks should be Afghanistan-led and owned; 2. The peace process and how to push it forward must be transparent; 3. The peace agreement must be supported by neighboring countries and even regions beyond; 4. Third-party agreements should not be the criterion to judge the peace process.