The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday urged the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan, calling it the only path toward lasting peace and stability in the country.
In a joint statement issued at the end of its two-day summit in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin, the organisation expressed support for international efforts to ensure peace and development in Afghanistan.
Member states emphasised the “need for an independent, neutral Afghanistan free from terrorism, war and narcotics,” and pledged to back global initiatives aimed at achieving that goal. The statement stressed that a broad-based, inclusive government with representatives from all ethnic and political groups of Afghan society is the sole way to achieve durable peace and stability.
More than 20 world leaders attended the summit, though the Taliban were not invited. Mongolia, also an observer state, was represented at the meeting.
Founded in 2001, the SCO is a regional security and political bloc whose full members include Russia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Iran and Uzbekistan. Belarus joined as a full member on 4 July 2024. Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status.
