The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is ramping up counter-terrorism efforts across its 26-nation family, with over 1,300 terrorism-related crimes thwarted in 2024 alone, according to Ularbek Sharsheev, Director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.
Originally founded to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism, the SCO has evolved over two decades into a broad-based platform for regional development and security cooperation. Today, it spans 26 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa, with its influence and partnerships steadily expanding.
In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Sharsheev outlined how the organization is responding to these challenges to safeguard common security across the region as global threats grow more complex.
"In 2024, competent authorities of SCO member states prevented 43 terrorist activities, and stopped over 1,300 crimes related to terrorism, separatism and extremism. More than 2,000 leaders and members of international terrorist organizations were detained. The SCO is promoting mechanism improvement in security cooperation, with the plan to enact a complete set of normative legal documents," he said.
Sharsheev emphasized that the SCO is entering a new phase of security coordination, with an upcoming resolution poised to strengthen joint efforts against terrorism, extremism, and other transnational threats.
"SCO member states have initiated efforts to improve existing mechanisms and establish new ones for cooperation among competent authorities in countering threats such as terrorism, separatism, extremism, drug trafficking, among other security challenges, which build on the successful experiences the SCO's anti-terrorist structure earned over the past 20 years. It has become a key component of the regional security system. A resolution adopted at this year's summit is expected to inject new impetus into regional security cooperation," he said.
Acknowledging that legal and political differences among SCO members pose challenges to unified action, Sharsheev called for pragmatic approaches to deepen trust and coordination in counter-terrorism efforts.
"Due to differences in national legal frameworks and regulatory bases, each member state has its own approach to countering terrorism, separatism, extremism, and ensuring its security. However, since we are addressing common security issues, a series of measures are being implemented. For example, permanent expert groups hold meetings routinely to resolve differences among member states. Despite challenges, we can always reach a compromise," he said.
He also praised China’s leadership as the SCO’s rotating chair, highlighting its pivotal role in advancing counter-terrorism cooperation and strengthening the bloc’s security mechanism.
"China actively participates in activities under the regional anti-terrorism structure and promotes initiatives to enhance cooperation in combating the 'Three Evil Forces.' The Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure highly appreciates China's role and contributions to the organization's development and capacity-building. China has also made remarkable achievements since taking the rotating presidency of the SCO," Sharsheev said.
SCO thwarts over 1,300 terrorism-linked crimes in 2024 as China leads push for regional security reform
SCO thwarts over 1,300 terrorism-linked crimes in 2024 as China leads push for regional security reform
