A meeting of the Head of State with the secretaries of the security councils of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization took place at the Akorda residence.

In his speech, the leader of Kazakhstan said that preparations are currently underway for the Astana SCO summit, to which our country is paying increased attention.
The President noted that the meetings of the secretaries of the SCO Security Councils are gaining particular relevance given the growing role of collective security in the vast area of ​​responsibility of the SCO.

– Over the past year, 183 regional and local conflicts were noted in the world, the number of which increased by almost 30 percent. This is the highest figure in the last three decades. Experts believe a global cycle of conflict and violence is unfolding. Against this background, the threat of international terrorism is increasing,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

According to the Head of State, the recent tragic events in the Moscow region, which claimed the lives of many civilians, showed that terrorists continue to use the most cruel and inhumane forms of violence.

- Kazakhstan immediately expressed its strong condemnation of the terrorist attack and expressed its solidarity with Russia. The intelligence services of the two countries are in constant contact on issues of cooperation in the anti-terrorist sphere. The terrorist attack in the Moscow region is strongly condemned by the entire world community, including the countries represented by you today. The UN Security Council emphasized the need to bring all perpetrators to justice and the importance of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.The main thing is to draw the right conclusions and take the necessary practical measures. It is necessary to ensure the safety of our citizens and give a worthy rebuff to the terrorist threat,” the leader of Kazakhstan emphasized.
He recalled that the Shanghai Organization was once created to ensure stability and security in the region in order to jointly resist the “three forces of evil.”

– These threats now not only remain relevant, but are also transformed, acquiring new severity. We, in turn, need more systematic and decisive responses. We must not allow manifestations of terrorism, extremism and separatism to be used to undermine internal stability in our states. Countering the “three forces of evil,” as well as transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and cybersecurity challenges, is one of the priorities of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the SCO, - the President said.

He believes that it is necessary to adopt a Cooperation Program to counter terrorism, separatism and extremism for 2025-2027. The speech also noted the importance of adopting the SCO Anti-Drug Strategy for 2024-2029 and the Action Program for its implementation.

– The SCO is one of the foundations of the updated international security architecture. Therefore, our Organization must set an example of coordinated and concrete steps to ensure stability and security in the region,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

In his opinion, increased attention should be paid to the development of the situation in Afghanistan in order to prevent the use of its territory by international terrorist groups. The leader of Kazakhstan considers it important to continue efforts to prevent a humanitarian crisis in this country and create conditions for long-term stabilization.

– The conflict in the Middle East remains a serious factor undermining security. Its tragic consequences were felt by civilians. Irreparable damage has been caused to regional stability. High-level diplomacy is needed to prevent further escalation. In general, it can be stated that international tension still remains. I firmly believe that our Organization, representing half of the world’s population, is able to offer a formula for a safe and just world,” the Head of State emphasized.

He further stated that Kazakhstan stands for open political and diplomatic dialogue, maintaining constructive relations with its global and regional partners.

– We adhere to the principle of indivisibility of Eurasian security, which implies mutual understanding and the creation of confidence-building measures. This approach should form the basis of the strategic task of forming a security belt along the perimeter of the SCO. Kazakhstan named the priority of its chairmanship in the Organization to make a feasible contribution to ensuring international peace and safe coexistence of states. That is why we proposed to jointly develop and adopt the SCO Initiative “On World Unity for a Just Peace and Harmony.” The Kazakh side is ready to show flexibility on this issue during the discussion of the draft of such a very important document,” the leader of Kazakhstan noted.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pointed out that, along with conflicts and the intensification of terrorism, there is a climate crisis and worsening challenges to food, water, transport and energy security.

– The SCO needs to update its approaches to modern challenges and threats. Active and quite fruitful work is being carried out in this direction. At the initial stage, at the suggestion of Kazakhstan, a process was launched to improve the activities of the SCO. It is necessary to realize the potential of the Organization as an effective instrument of regional and international security. The meetings of the secretaries of the security councils are of great importance for achieving this goal. You are the one who coordinates the various areas of national security. Nowadays, a holistic, integral approach to countering challenges and threats is extremely important,” the President said.

The head of state noted the importance of coordinating the work of the secretaries of the Security Councils to ensure the national security of the SCO member countries.

– The situation in the world, unfortunately, shows no signs of improvement. Challenges to the national security of our countries, without any exaggeration, remain. This emphasizes the need for all our countries to unite within the SCO in order to take joint efforts and concrete actions aimed at neutralizing and eliminating all threats that come from outside. Therefore, we have paid and will pay increased attention to the activities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized.

According to him, the Organization is unique due to its universal agenda, which includes a whole list of issues, including economic cooperation, investment policy, interaction in the field of culture, and humanitarian ties.

– A separate block concerns the issues of countering international terrorism. Here, of course, we must show political will, be together and, most importantly, act effectively. As for Kazakhstan, rest assured that we will make our contribution to this noble cause. Therefore, I look with great hope at the upcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana,” said the leader of Kazakhstan.

In conclusion, he wished the meeting participants fruitful work to ensure security in the SCO space and strengthen the “Shanghai spirit”.

Also speaking during the meeting were Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev, Minister of Public Security of the People's Republic of China Wang Xiaohong, Advisor to the Prime Minister of India on National Security Ajit Doval, Secretary of the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Viktor Makhmudov, Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic Marat Imankulov , Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Tajikistan Nasrullo Mahmudzoda, Secretary of the National Security Division of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Waqar Ahmad, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ali Akbar Ahmadian Babaki; representatives of observer states: Secretary of the National Security Council of Mongolia Byambajargal Altangerel, State Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Volfovich.

 

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