July 19, 2024
Zhang Ming, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, noting increasing geopolitical confrontations, rising terrorist activities and pressures on economic growth, said no country or regional organization can stay immune to these.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has prioritized the maintenance of international and regional security since its beginning, he said, adding: “we have upheld the Shanghai spirit” of mutual trust, mutual benefit and respect for cultural diversity.
Stressing the importance of respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all States, he said differences between countries should be settled peacefully. Both traditional and non-traditional security threats should be addressed through international solidarity, he underscored, adding that doing so can help create a more representative and multipolar world order.
Noting that the United Nations has been an “irreplaceable force” in the maintenance of world peace over the last eight decades, he said his organization has been cooperating closely with the UN and its specialized agencies. This includes collaboration in addressing the problems posed by separatism, religious extremism and terrorism, he said, adding that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has been implementing the UN global counter-terrorism strategy, while rejecting politicization of counter-terrorism.
Highlighting a memorandum of understanding signed with the Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee, he said it facilitates policy coordination and experience sharing. His organization also conducts regular consultations with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to combat drug production and trafficking, he added. Reaffirming the UN’s central role in combating transnational organized crime, he expressed support for reinforcing the legal basis to address crime-related threats.
Calling on all parties to abide by Council resolutions regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, he said the international community must strive to achieve full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He also highlighted his organization’s cooperation with other regional security organizations and said their tripartite meetings are key to enhancing coordination.
Noting economic and cultural collaboration with various United Nations entities, he said that food security is high on this agenda and recalled a dialogue convened with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2023. Citing the Secretary-General, he said: “the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation are the two largest international organizations in the world”, therefore, closer cooperation between the two is critical to achieve peace and development.