On 4-5 September 2024, Tashkent hosted the 10th RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure) SCO International Science and Practical Conference on Jointly Countering International Terrorism and Extremism and the 2nd CIS Conference on Combating Terrorism and Extremism.
Attending the discussions were abut 250 representatives of law enforcement agencies from 20 CIS and SCO member countries, 9 working structures of CIS bodies, 2 working structures of SCO bodies, 22research and development and education organisations, as well as 10 authorised agencies of 6international organisations, including the UN, Interpol, the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and others (47 delegations, all told).
A message from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan was read out during the opening ceremony.
In his remarks, SCO Deputy Secretary-General Nuran Niyazaliyev noted that the RATS SCO International Science and Practical Conference had won a reputation for itself as an influential platform for trustful dialogue on coping with contemporary challenges and threats.
The SCO praises the organisation of this meeting together with the RATS SCO forum and the 2nd CIS Conference on Combating Terrorism and Extremism. This approach (when CIS partners join the discussion) will facilitate opinion exchanges on providing regional security and stability and drafting the relevant decisions.
The SCO Deputy Secretary-General also briefed delegates on the approval of the Astana Declaration and the Initiative on World Unity for a Just Peace, Harmony and Development adopted on 4 July 2024 following the SCO Heads of State Council Meeting in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Additionally, the participants approved a number of decisions, including those on upgrading SCO mechanisms to counter security challenges and threats, such as the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism, illegal drug trafficking and arms contraband.
The SCO consistently expands its working ties with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other friendly associations. It also prioritises efforts to facilitate stability and security in Eurasia.
The East Anti-Terror 2024 joint counter-terrorism exercise also took place within the framework of these events.