Islamabad, September 14, 2026: The 46th meeting of the Council of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO RATS Council) was held in Islamabad on Monday under the chairmanship of Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by delegations from Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, along with representatives of the Executive Committee of SCO RATS.
The participants discussed current issues on the international agenda relating to regional security and reviewed measures to strengthen 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 SCO’s previously expressed position on the issue.
The Council also expressed condolences to the Iranian government and people over the deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and other victims, and conveyed sympathy to the families of those killed.
It reaffirmed its position on preserving Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, while supporting efforts to de-escalate tensions, establish peace and ensure stability in the region.
The Council reviewed implementation of previously adopted decisions and approved work plans for the Executive Committee of SCO RATS and its expert groups on combating what it described as the “three forces of evil”.
Decisions were also taken to establish and improve information infrastructure to strengthen cooperation among member states.
The participants agreed to conduct a joint information operation in 2027 to counter terrorism, as well as a practical seminar on the use of the internet for terrorist, separatist and extremist purposes. A joint counter-terrorism exercise will also be held to identify and prevent the misuse of the internet for such activities.
The Thirteenth International Scientific and Practical Conference on cooperation between SCO member states and an SCO observer state in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism will be held in Kazakhstan.
The meeting also considered organizational and staffing matters concerning the Executive Committee of SCO RATS.
Officials who made personal contributions to the development of SCO RATS activities and the strengthening of cooperation among the competent authorities of member states were presented with awards.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the chairmanship of the SCO RATS Council was handed over from Pakistan to Russia. The next meeting of the Council will be held at the premises of the SCO RATS Executive Committee in Tashkent.
The meeting was held in a businesslike and friendly atmosphere.
