The heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at a summit in Bishkek called on Afghanistan’s authorities to form an inclusive government with the participation of all ethnic and political groups. The corresponding provision was included in the Bishkek Declaration adopted following the meeting of the organization’s leaders.
“Only an inclusive government with broad representation of all ethnic and political groups can bring lasting peace,” the document states, as published by TASS.
SCO countries reaffirmed their commitment to “creating an independent, neutral and peaceful Afghanistan, free from terrorism, war and drugs.” Organization participants also expressed their readiness to support international efforts aimed at ensuring peace, stability and development in the country.
The call for the creation of an inclusive government practically repeats the wording of previous SCO declarations. The organization made a similar demand at the summit in Tianjin in 2024, notes Fergana.
The Taliban movement, which has controlled Afghanistan since August 2021, has repeatedly rejected such statements, calling them interference in the country’s internal affairs. Movement representatives claim that the current government already represents all regions and nationalities of Afghanistan.
The security issue also became one of the key topics of the summit. SCO countries declared the use of terrorist groups in anyone’s interests unacceptable and opposed double standards in the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism.
They noted the important role of the UN in ensuring international security and called for strengthening measures to prevent the movement of terrorists across state borders. Special attention was paid to the threat posed by the activities of the Islamic State group on the territory of Afghanistan.
The declaration also notes the need for further strengthening cooperation in the field of security, conducting regular joint counter-terrorism operations and expanding cooperation in combating illegal drug trafficking.
Summit participants approved documents defining the procedures for the work of the SCO Center for Countering Challenges and Threats to Security in Tashkent and the Executive Committee of the SCO Anti-Drug Center in Dushanbe.
The SCO summit in Bishkek on September 1 was attended by the leaders of China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. In an expanded format, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General António Guterres joined the negotiations.
Following the meeting, Kyrgyzstan handed over the SCO presidency to Pakistan. The next summit of the organization’s leaders will take place in Pakistan in 2027.
