Greetings and messages keep coming to the SCO Youth Assembly. High-ranking officials and famous diplomats, people of different trades and ages note the significance of developing the SCO youth movement for the Eurasian continent as well as the importance of strengthening friendship and mutual understanding among young people in the SCO family.
"Terrorism has become a trans-border crime and a global threat for the international community. Young people aged between 15 and 30 are especially susceptible to the influence of radical ideology. Socioeconomic instability, inadequate religious education, an immature world outlook and youth maximalism make them vulnerable to new ideas and alien values," Colonel General Yevgeny Sysoyev, Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, said in his welcoming video. "As a powerful creative force in our societies, young people must play a major role in the fight against terrorism and extremism. Every single one of you can contribute to international security and stability," stressed the Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO RATS.
Natalia Gherman, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Central Asia and Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, voiced her support and greetings to the SCO youth movement.
"Our efforts are aimed at making sure that young people have the opportunity to get a good education and to find decent jobs, and most importantly, are able to take part in the most responsible political decisions. The future of the entire Central Asia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation region depends on it," Ms Gherman said.
The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative added, "The United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia is very proactively involving young people in fulfilling all our goals and objectives, especially when it comes to preventing conflicts in Central Asia and beyond."
"We are working with you on enforcing the provisions of the renowned UN Resolution 2250 regarding cooperation on youth issues, peace and security. It is no coincidence that the provisions of this resolution so consistently mirror the call of the SCO heads of state to young people that we heard at the recent summit in Qingdao. This call was to promote the ideals of cooperation and security across this vast region through inclusivity, tolerance and engagement of all parts of society in this very important endeavour," Natalia Gherman emphasised.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to China Andrei Denisov underscored in his message to the Assembly participants that "from the onset, working out collective steps on ensuring security in the SCO space has been and remains an SCO priority. This includes joint countering of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations, combating illicit drug and arms trafficking, and transnational organised crime."
Andrei Denisov drew the attention of the young men and women at the Assembly to the fact that the world is going through difficult times. "Both traditional and new threats are growing, and collective responses to them must be sought." Russia's Ambassador to the PRC noted that in the modern world, as information and telecommunications technologies are making torrential progress, it is impossible to imagine life without daily access to the internet, social networks, or mobile applications for all occasions. "Young people adjust to new realities fastest. Curiosity, flexible thinking, creative potential, openness to everything new, and courage have always been inherent in young people."
At the same time, the Russian Ambassador to China stressed that "unfortunately, partly due to those unquestionably fine qualities, young men and women become the focus of terrorists, religious fanatics, extremist movements, drug dealers and other members of the criminal world." In this context, Andei Denisov appealed to the Assembly participants to build up a solid barrier between the young generation and criminals. "Friends, you are living in a society built by previous generations. Your children will live in a society built by you. What sort of society it will be largely depends on you. Awareness and respect of each other's history, traditions and culture as well as following the Shanghai spirit principles will help you in that," Andrei Denisov emphasised.
Kyrgyz athlete Adilet Kyshtakbekov, Master of Sport, International Class, the winner of the Second SCO International Marathon in Kunming on 31 December 2017, also sent greetings to the Assembly.
The famous athlete said, "We, the young people of the SCO, understand and feel responsible for the progress in our countries. Thanks to the SCO countries' support, each of us is now capable to make the present better and to make a personal contribution to the future."
Adilet Kyshtakbekov added that the Assembly brought together "the best representatives of the SCO countries' youth to discuss urgent issues. I am sure that our wishes, dreams and goals will come true," and wished the participants a good start and outstanding victories.
The SCO Youth Assembly is held in Dongfang, Hainan Province, as part of the practical implementation of the joint address by the heads of state of the SCO to the youth and the action plan on its implementation.
The proposal to hold the SCO Youth Assembly "SCO Youth Against Terrorism and Extremism" was supported by the heads of government of the SCO member states, which was stated in their Joint Communiqué following their 17th meeting on 11-12 October 2018 in Dushanbe. The Assembly is attended by over 300 participants from the SCO countries.