The 8th Meeting of the Health Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is being held in Xi'an, China.

At this international event, Azerbaijan — holding dialogue partner status within the SCO — is represented by a delegation headed by Health Minister Teymur Musayev.

In his opening speech, China's Minister of the National Health Commission, Lei Haichao, welcomed the participants and noted that this year’s meeting would discuss the effective joint coordination of activities in key health sectors such as digital health, traditional medicine, primary healthcare services, and emergency medical aid.

Azerbaijan’s Health Minister Teymur Musayev, in his speech, emphasized the high-level organization of the 8th Meeting of the Health Ministers of SCO member states. The Minister recalled that on July 3, 2024, the "Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of China" was signed in Astana. He stated: "President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev emphasized in a special interview with China's Xinhua News Agency that the Joint Declaration is a historic event and opens a new chapter in Azerbaijan-China relations."

At the same time, it was noted that during the state visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to the People's Republic of China, the "Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of China" was signed in Beijing on April 23, 2025. "President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to China at the invitation of President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, will further strengthen and accelerate the development of our bilateral relations," he said.

"Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the implementation of socially-oriented policies, the transition to digital governance, and the diversification of the economy have strengthened the position of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a leading country in the region. As the head of state emphasized in his speech, the unanimous decision to host COP29 in Baku, made in November last year, is a clear indication of the great respect and trust that the international community has for our country. Reducing the impact of environmental pollution on human health and promoting a healthy lifestyle are among the main priorities of the Azerbaijani government," said Teymur Musayev.

According to the Minister, global healthcare in recent years has experienced both advances and setbacks due to factors such as pandemics and climate change. At the same time, global crises create opportunities for positive change, and these should be viewed as steps toward progress: "It is highly likely that the development of the healthcare sector will be shaped by technological advancement, data analysis, and the transition to personalized medicine. At a time when the world is facing a shortage of healthcare workers, we are welcoming a new assistant – artificial intelligence. One of its most significant contributions will be to expand access to healthcare services, particularly by strengthening primary healthcare systems. In order to make effective use of the practical capabilities of artificial intelligence and ensure its full integration, it is necessary to establish a proper legislative framework."

"Although digital tools have tremendous benefits, they should not replace the human factor. Instead, they should serve as supportive tools that allow medical professionals to devote more time to direct patient care.

Another key aspect of healthcare systems is sustainability. To minimize environmental impact, reduce energy consumption, and promote sustainability, we must increase the number of 'green hospitals' and invest in energy efficiency in healthcare facilities. Investments in the healthcare sector are investments in our shared future," concluded the Azerbaijani Minister of Health.

The heads of state institutions operating in the healthcare sector of the SCO member countries, in their speeches, provided information about the main directions of cooperation in healthcare among SCO member states. It was also emphasized that all countries in the region actively support the further expansion of cooperation in this field.

At the end of the meeting, participants exchanged views on issues such as the development of healthcare systems in SCO member states, the role of international organizations in this field, the enhancement of medical and pharmaceutical human resources, and cooperation prospects between countries in areas such as primary healthcare, digital health, and traditional medicine.