Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states signed and released the Samarkand Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO on September 17.
The 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO also released a number of statements and documents on safeguarding global food security, international energy security, addressing climate change, and maintaining a secure, stable and diversified supply chain.
The statement came as leaders from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan met in the city of Samarkand for the summit of the eight-member SCO regional body. Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia are observer countries, while the six dialogue partners are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey.
Samarkand Declaration 2022
Here are the highlights of the Samarkand Declaration 2022:
On Anti-terrorism and foreign interference
SCO member states said they are against any interference in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext.
“The member states reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to combating terrorism, separatism and extremism,” the statement said. They pointed out that the “interference in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of combating terrorism and extremism is unacceptable, as well as the use of terrorist, extremist and radical groups for one’s own purposes.”
The document specifically read that “Member states note the inadmissibility of interference in the internal affairs of states under the pretext of countering terrorism and extremism, as well as the unacceptability of using terrorist, extremist and radical groups for personal gain.”
Additionally, the declaration entailed that “member states expressed deep concern over the threat to security posed by terrorism, separatism, and extremism in all its forms and manifestations, and strongly condemned terrorist acts around the world.”
Defense and Security
SCO member countries sought to develop cooperation in the fields of security and defense. They also stressed the importance of holding regular joint military counter-terrorism command and staff exercises “Peace Mission” to enhance the level of cooperation in combating armed formations of international terrorist organizations and improve counter-terrorism methods.
On Militarization of the IT sector
The SCO declaration agreed upon in Samarkand also noted that the organization stands firmly against the militarization of the IT sector, considering it necessary to ensure the use of modern technologies for peaceful purposes.
They said that “They support the development of universal rules, principles, and norms of responsible behavior of states in this area, also welcome the launch of the development under the auspices of the UN of a comprehensive international convention on combating the use of ICT for criminal purposes.”
Technology and Innovation
SCO member states decided to establish three special working group on startups and innovation, poverty reduction and traditional medicine. They advocated strengthening the potential of IT parks, joining efforts to develop the innovation ecosystem, conducting joint research and development, launching new digital projects in the SCO region, and implementing SCO Member States Technoparks Pool of 2021.
They will further develop the potential of the SCO Business Council and SCO Interbank Association, and promote joint initiatives of business communities to intensify cooperation in order to implement projects in the field of finance, high technology, transport and communications infrastructure, energy, investment, small and medium businesses in the SCO region.
Digital economy and trade in national currencies
SCO states will also continue to cooperate in the digital economy and support the development of digital technologies. They will further develop the potential of the SCO Business Council and SCO Interbank Association, and promote joint initiatives of business communities to intensify cooperation in order to implement projects in the field of finance, high technology, transport and communications infrastructure, energy, investment, small and medium businesses in the SCO region.
SCO leaders agreed to take steps to increase the use of national currencies in trade between their countries, according to the joint declaration. The members “noted the adoption by the interested SCO member states of the Road Map on Increasing the Share of National Currencies in Mutual Settlements and called for expansion of this practice.”
Renewable Energy
SCO members will continue to deepen cooperation in the field of energy and stress the need to increase the efficient use of all types of energy resources and support the application of various efficient economically and environmentally friendly technologies that reduce negative environmental impact and promote the transition to cleaner and greener energy sources. The member states welcomed the adoption of the Programme of Cooperation of the SCO Member States in the Use of Renewable Energy Sources.
Iran’s JCPOA
The JCPOA was also part of the Samarkand declaration. “The member states consider the sustained implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program important and, in accordance with UNSCR 2231, call upon all participants to rigorously implement their commitments for the full and effective implementation of the document.”
On Unilateral Build-Up of Global Missile Defense Systems
The member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) consider the unilateral build-up of global missile defense systems as a negative trend for international security and stability, according to the Samarkand declaration. They consider unacceptable attempts to ensure their own security at the expense of the security of other states.
The member states that are parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons advocate strict compliance with the provisions of the Treaty, the comprehensive and balanced advancement of all its objectives and principles, the strengthening of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, the pursuit of nuclear disarmament, and the promotion of equal mutually beneficial cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
On Chemical Weapons
SCO has called on its member countries, as per the Samarkan declaration, to fully implement the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and Their Destruction (CWC) “as an effective instrument in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation,” adding that “They stress the importance of the early destruction of all declared stockpiles of chemical weapons.”
On Afghanistan
The SCO declaration signed on September 17 highlights the significance of playing a role in advocating for and supporting the formation of an inclusive, independent, neutral, united, democratic, and peaceful state in Afghanistan with the hopes that it will be free from terrorism, war, and drugs.
SCO member states believe it is “extremely important to establish an inclusive government in Afghanistan” with the participation of “representatives of all ethnic, religious and political groups of Afghan society.” The SCO member States believe that one of the most important factors in preserving and strengthening security and stability in the SCO region is the speedy settlement of the situation in Afghanistan.
On Terrorist, Separatist, and Extremist Organizations
The SCO members will develop a unified list of terrorist, separatist and extremist organizations whose activities are prohibited on the territories of the SCO member states, the document reads.
The member states expressed deep concern over the security threat posed by terrorism and reaffirmed a strong commitment to fight terrorism, separatism and extremism “to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, cut off terrorist financing channels, suppress terrorist recruitment and cross-border movement, counter extremism, radicalization of youth, spread of terrorist ideology, and eliminate sleeper cells and places used as terrorist safe havens.”
The presidency of the SCO has been passed to India where the next meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State will be held in 2023.