More than 150 representatives of competent authorities, experts and academics from SCO member states and partner organisations gathered in Tashkent on November 20-21, 2025 for the 11th International Scientific and Practical Conference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS). The conference examined a wide range of security challenges with particular emphasis on confronting terrorism, separatism and extremism.
At the plenary session, speakers included RATS Executive Committee Director Ularbek Sharsheyev, RATS Council Chair Farekha Bugti, SCO Deputy Secretary-General Piao Yanfan, Deputy Secretary-General of the CIS Nurlan Seitimov, Head of the CIS Counter-Terrorist Center Evgeny Sysoyev, the UN Special Representative Kaha Imnadze, and Kobulzhon Sobirov representing Uzbekistan’s research and diplomatic initiatives on violent extremism.
Piao Yanfan highlighted the SCO’s growing role in shaping cooperative responses to cross-border threats and cited the Tianjin Summit consensus of September 1 as a reaffirmation of collective determination to counter the three forces. She stressed the importance of reaching common positions among member states to ensure consistent and collaborative SCO counterterrorism measures.
The conference underscored that effective SCO counterterrorism action must be comprehensive and reject double standards. Delegates warned against the spread of radical ideology, religious intolerance, xenophobia and aggressive nationalism, and called for measures to prevent ethnic and racial discrimination that can fuel extremism.
Speakers emphasised that efforts to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism should address root causes through strengthened trust and cooperation between countries, intensified intercivilisational exchanges and policies that promote sustainable security and development. Many delegates also stressed the value of coordinating regional efforts under the central role of the United Nations.
For SCO member states, including Pakistan, the Tashkent conference reinforced the need for sustained multilateral engagement and practical cooperation within RATS frameworks to reduce cross-border threats and enhance regional stability through collective SCO counterterrorism initiatives.
