Pakistan Hosts SCO RATS Meeting, Council Reaffirms Support for Iran

Islamabad: The 46th meeting of the Council of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO RATS) was held in Islamabad on September 14, under the chairmanship of Pakistan.

Delegations from Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan attended the meeting, along with representatives of the SCO RATS Executive Committee.

The meeting discussed key issues on the international agenda related to regional security and reviewed ongoing cooperation among SCO member states in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The SCO RATS Council condemned the new military attacks against Iran and reaffirmed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s previously expressed position on the issue.

The council also expressed condolences to the Iranian government and people over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Seyyed Ali Khamenei, as well as to the families of those killed in the attacks.

The participants reaffirmed their support for Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and backed efforts aimed at reducing tensions, establishing peace and ensuring stability in the region.

The council reviewed the implementation of previously adopted decisions concerning coordination among the competent authorities of SCO member states in countering terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Work plans for the SCO RATS Executive Committee and expert groups were also approved, focusing on pressing issues related to combating the “three forces of evil.”

The meeting further adopted decisions on establishing and improving information infrastructure to strengthen cooperation and information-sharing among the member states.

The participants agreed to conduct a joint information operation in 2027 to counter terrorism, as well as a practical seminar on preventing the use of the internet for terrorist, separatist and extremist purposes.

A joint counter-terrorism exercise will also be held in 2027 to identify and prevent the use of the internet for such activities.

The 13th International Scientific and Practical Conference on cooperation between SCO member states and an SCO observer state in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism is scheduled to be held in Kazakhstan.

The meeting also considered organizational and staffing issues related to the SCO RATS Executive Committee.

Officials who made significant contributions to the development of SCO RATS activities and strengthening cooperation among the competent authorities of SCO member states were honored.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the chairmanship of the SCO RATS Council was transferred from Pakistan to Russia. The next meeting of the council will be held at the SCO RATS Executive Committee premises in Tashkent.

The meeting concluded in a businesslike and friendly atmosphere.