Member states adopt sweeping agreements on security, counter-terrorism, technology and regional connectivity….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Tuesday signed the Bishkek Declaration at the bloc’s 26th summit in Kyrgyzstan, adopting a series of agreements covering regional security, counter-narcotics cooperation, technology, biodiversity and trade connectivity.
The declaration was signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other heads of state and government of SCO member countries as the organisation marked its 25th anniversary.
The leaders also approved a protocol introducing amendments and additions to the SCO Charter, originally adopted on June 7, 2002.
Among the key decisions was an agreement on the regulations governing the proposed Universal Centre for Countering Security Challenges and Threats to SCO Member States, as well as the Executive Committee of the SCO Anti-Narcotics Centre.
The member states adopted a cooperation programme to combat drug addiction through 2030 and agreed on coordinated measures to tackle the spread of synthetic drugs and their chemical precursors over the same period.
The summit also approved a cooperation plan on ensuring international information security for 2026-2028.
In addition, the SCO leaders endorsed an initiative on the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity across member states for 2026-2031.
Economic and technological cooperation also featured prominently, with leaders agreeing to establish a ‘Green Technology Corridor’ to promote scientific and technological collaboration between 2026 and 2030.
A separate roadmap was adopted for the development of ports and logistics centres across SCO member states during the same period, aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and trade infrastructure.
Earlier, addressing the summit, Prime Minister Modi delivered a strong message on terrorism, calling on SCO members to dismantle the entire ecosystem supporting terrorist activities, including financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens.
He said terrorism remained a serious threat to humanity and stressed that the international community could not afford to apply double standards in combating it.
“We must speak with one voice that there can be no room for double standards on this serious issue,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister warned that countries using terrorism as an instrument of state policy or providing shelter and support to terrorists must receive a strong message.
“Terrorism cannot be a strategic asset for anyone,” he said.
The summit’s decisions reflected the SCO’s expanding focus on regional security, economic connectivity, emerging technologies and environmental cooperation as member states seek greater coordination in addressing common challenges.
