Secretary-General Commends Shanghai Cooperation Organization for Vital Role in Maintaining Peace, Stability within Eurasia

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, delivered by Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, in Ufa, Russian Federation, today:

I am pleased to send greetings to all participants at the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The SCO plays an important role in fostering cooperation to maintain peace and stability in Eurasia.  Your region faces many dire challenges, including extremism and terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime.  We all hear troubling reports of men and women from this region joining violent extremist groups fighting in the Middle East.  No State can confront such challenges alone.

Renewed fighting has recently been testing the authorities in Afghanistan as a changing security environment adds new strains.  Afghan [National] Security Forces have shown resilience and the Government is resolute in pursuing peace.  With the accomplishment of historic transitions last year, Afghanistan has entered its transformation decade, taking full leadership and ownership in its national affairs.

I commend the support provided by the SCO and its member States for the advancement of security and stability in Afghanistan.  Such regional support is more crucial than ever to enable further progress in all areas, from security to economic development.

The United Nations and the SCO share many goals, including a peaceful and prosperous Eurasia.  Expanding and deepening cooperation within the SCO and between the SCO and other regional and international organizations will help us to achieve our common aims.

I take this opportunity to highlight a new United Nations plan of action on preventing violent extremism which I will present to the General Assembly later this year.  I count on your support for this initiative, which will aim to boost international cooperation to confront this dangerous threat.

The United Nations is committed to furthering cooperation with the SCO through our various agencies and the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia.  I look forward to strengthening our partnership for peace, security and prosperity, and wish you great success.