On 3 February 2026, the seminar on topic “Exchange on Challenges to Principled and Effective Humanitarian Action” was co-organized by the SCO Secretariat and the Regional Delegation for East Asia of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The event was attended by the Permanent Representatives of SCO Member States to the SCO Secretariat, military attachés accredited to the People's Republic of China, and staff of the embassies of SCO Community countries.
SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev and Balthasar Staehelin, Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation for East Asia and Special Envoy of the ICRC President, addressed the participants with opening remarks. The Secretary-General noted, in particular, that the Council of Heads of State of SCO Member States devotes due attention to the issue of conflicts in various regions of the world in its annual declarations, reaffirming its commitment to diplomatic initiatives aimed at peaceful settlement.
During the seminar, ICRC experts presented the Committee’s efforts to carry out impartial humanitarian activities and ensure unimpeded humanitarian access in complex emergency situations, especially in the event of natural disasters, epidemics and armed conflicts. Following the presentations, a lively exchange of views took place among the Permanent Representatives to the SCO Secretariat, military attachés of SCO Community countries and ICRC representatives.
This seminar was held for the purpose of implementing the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the SCO Secretariat and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on 9 June 2017.