SCO Issues Tianjin Declaration, Reaffirms Joint Fight Against Terrorism

TINJIAN: The Shanghai Cooperation Council (SCO) member states on Monday reiterated their resolve to jointly combat terrorism, separatism and extremism, as they adopted the Tianjin Declaration at the conclusion of the two-day Council of Heads of States summit.

Terrorism and Regional Security

The declaration underscored the need to prevent the cross-border movement of terrorists and rejected the use of extremist groups for mercenary purposes. It specifically condemned recent attacks in Pakistan, including the Jaffer Express and Khuzdar incidents carried out by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

On Afghanistan, the SCO urged the formation of an inclusive government with broad participation to ensure lasting peace and stability, warning that terrorist outfits such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) threaten regional security.

Gaza and the Middle East

Expressing deep concern over Israel’s war on Gaza, the member states condemned actions resulting in civilian casualties. The declaration called for a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian issue to secure peace in the region.

Iran Nuclear Deal and UN Reforms

The SCO cautioned against attempts to reinterpret the UN resolution endorsing the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, noting that such actions undermine the authority of the Security Council. Member states also emphasised the urgent need to reform the UN to better address contemporary political and economic challenges.

Trade, Development and Technology

The summit opposed unilateral trade measures that violate World Trade Organisation (WTO) principles and disrupt global supply chains. In a significant step, the SCO announced plans to establish a Development Bank and merge the statuses of “observer” and “dialogue” partners.

The declaration also highlighted cooperation in environmental protection, clean energy, and responsible use of artificial intelligence, with a focus on mitigating emerging security risks.