19th Meeting of SCO Security Council Secretaries held in Astana

On 2-3 April 2024, Astana hosted the 19th Meeting of the SCO Security Council Secretaries, chaired by the Republic of Kazakhstan. The meeting was attended by secretaries of the security councils and heads of executive bodies of the security councils from SCO member states, as well as observer states (the Republic of Belarus and Mongolia). Also present were SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming and Director of the SCO RATS Executive Committee Ruslan Mirzayev.

Mr Zhang Ming conveyed his condolences for the terrorist attacks targeting civilians in Iran, Russia, and Pakistan that occurred this year.

He said, “At present, the international security landscape is complex and unstable, with traditional and non-traditional security threats intermingled. Geopolitical risks are on the rise, and terrorism, extremism, and separatism persistently evolve, posing serious threats to global and regional peace and stability. Combatting terrorism remains a top priority for the Organisation, and we are committed to enhancing cooperation among nations in these efforts.”

The meeting participants exchanged opinions on combatting terrorism, extremism, and separatism, enhancing cooperation to address contemporary threats and challenges, and also addressed issues concerning regional security. Following the meeting, a protocol was signed.

On the same day, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a separate meeting with the heads of delegations.

The event was attended by Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of India; Ali Akbar Ahmadian Babaki, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Gizat Nurdauletov, Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Wang Xiaohong, Minister of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China; Marat Imankulov, Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic; Waqar Ahmad, Secretary of the National Security Division of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation; Nasrullo Makhmudzoda, Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Tajikistan; Viktor Makhmudov, State Secretary of the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Alexander Volfovich, State Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Belarus; and Byambajargal Altangerel, Secretary of the National Security Council of Mongolia.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the SCO Secretary-General met with Gizat Nurdauletov, Security Council Secretary of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The parties discussed the current SCO priorities, issues of cooperation in security, and other matters.