21ST SUMMIT OF THE SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION (SCO)

• The 21st Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)Council of Heads of State was held recently via video Conferencing in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
• At the meet the focus was primarily on the ground situation in Afghanistan and its global repercussions.
• Iran has been accepted as the ninth full member of the organisation.

Important points:

• It took a strong stance against radicalisation and extremism, urging the panel to come up with a joint approach and frame a code of conduct to stop terror financing and cross-border terrorism.
• It also stressed upon the importance of moderate Islam in Central Asia.
• Flagged concerns over the serious humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan, noting that the economic woes of the Afghan people are increasing due to the blockage in financial and trade flows.
• Pointed out that the developments in the country could lead to an uncontrolled flow of drugs, illegal weapons and human trafficking.
• It is committed to increasing its connectivity with Central Asia. Asserting that there should be respect for the territorial integrity of all countries.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation:

• It is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation. It was created in 2001.
• The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and entered into force in 2003.
• It’s a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation aiming to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.
• It is seen as a counterweight to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), It is a nine-member economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT