for the Formation and Implementation of Joint Projects by the Participants of the Agreement
These Rules establish the procedure for the preparation, coordination, implementation, and reporting of joint projects carried out by the participants of the Cooperation Agreement between tourist industry enterprises and professional associations, as well as other organizations operating in the field of tourism in the member states and dialogue partner states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
1. General Provisions
1.1. Joint projects of the Agreement participants are aimed at strengthening professional cooperation, promoting the tourism potential of SCO countries, developing industry initiatives, and facilitating the implementation of international documents regulating cooperation in the field of tourism.
1.2. Projects are implemented in accordance with the principles of openness, good faith, voluntary participation, respect for the national legislation of participating countries, and compliance with professional ethics.
1.3. These Rules define general principles for organizing project activities and do not replace individual documents that may be additionally developed for specific initiatives.
2. Project Initiation
2.1. Any participant of the Agreement may act as a project initiator.
The initiator submits a proposal to the Executive Council specifying:
2.2. The Executive Council reviews the submitted proposal and adopts one of the following decisions:
to support the project and include it on the agenda;
to return the proposal for revision;
to reject the project if its implementation is not feasible or expedient.
2.3. If the project is supported, the Executive Council appoints a project coordinator or establishes a working group.
3. Preparation of Project Documentation
3.1. Project documentation is developed for each project and includes:
a detailed project description;
a work plan and key milestones;
allocation of responsibilities among participants;
implementation timelines;
procedures for delivering results;
possible financial, organizational, or resource commitments.
3.2. The documentation is prepared in written form and complies with the legislation of the states in which the project participants are located.
3.3. Participants independently determine the scope of their obligations, contributed resources, and the format of participation.
4. Project Implementation
4.1. All project participants act in accordance with the approved documentation, observe agreed timelines, and ensure an appropriate level of quality in project execution.
4.2. Participants promptly inform the project coordinator and the Executive Council of implementation progress, emerging challenges, and proposals for improvement.
4.3. Each participant bears responsibility for fulfilling the tasks assigned to them within the project.
4.4. Where necessary, participants may agree on amendments to the project documentation. Amendments enter into force after approval by the Executive Council.
5. Compliance with SCO Documents
5.1. Each project shall take into account the provisions of international tourism-related documents, including:
the SCO Joint Action Plan in the field of tourism, approved by the tourism administrations of the member states;
the Program for the Development of Cooperation among SCO Member States in the field of tourism;
other regulatory and program documents aimed at tourism development in the region.
5.2. Where necessary, project participants may seek consultations or support from tourism authorities and other competent bodies of SCO member states.
6. Reporting and Review
6.1. An annual report on completed activities is prepared for each project. It includes:
a description of activities carried out;
achieved results;
recommendations for further project development;
information on challenges and proposals for addressing them.
6.2. Annual reports are made available to all participants and are presented at the regular SCO International Tourism Forum “Tourism Unites the Silk Road Countries. Dialogue of Professionals.”
6.3. Based on these reports, a consolidated annual summary document is prepared, which may be submitted to the tourism authorities of SCO member states and dialogue partner states.
7. Project Completion
7.1. A project is considered completed after all activities предусмотренные by the project documentation have been implemented and the final report has been approved.
7.2. Project participants may continue cooperation by mutual initiative or propose the implementation of a new project.
7.3. All project results, including materials, recommendations, analytical reports, and other forms of intellectual output, are used in accordance with the procedures agreed by the project participants and set out in the project documentation.
8. Final Provisions
8.1. These Rules may be amended or supplemented by a decision of the Executive Council adopted by a simple majority vote.
8.2. All matters not regulated by these Rules are governed by the provisions of the Agreement and the applicable SCO tourism-related regulatory documents.