Cyprus News Agency

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 September 14, 2026, under Pakistan's chairmanship.

The meeting was attended by delegations from the competent authorities of Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of the SCO RATS Executive Committee.

Current issues on the international agenda related to ensuring regional security were discussed at the meeting.

The SCO RATS Council condemned new military attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran and reiterated the position previously announced by the SCO on the matter.

Following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Council extended its condolences to the government and people of Iran and to the families of those who lost their lives. Reaffirming its position on safeguarding Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, the Council stated that it supported efforts to reduce tensions, establish peace and ensure regional stability.

The meeting reviewed the implementation of previously adopted decisions on coordinating cooperation among the competent authorities of SCO member states in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism. Work plans of the SCO RATS Executive Committee and expert groups on priority issues in the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism were approved.

Decisions were also adopted on establishing and developing information infrastructure to strengthen interaction among the parties.

The parties agreed to conduct a joint information operation in the field of counterterrorism in 2027, organize a practical seminar on the use of the internet for terrorist, separatist and extremist purposes, and hold a joint counterterrorism exercise aimed at enabling the competent authorities of SCO member states to detect and prevent the use of the internet for such purposes.

The 13th International Scientific and Practical Conference on cooperation between SCO member states and observer states in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism was planned to be held in Kazakhstan.

The meeting also addressed issues related to organizational and personnel support for the activities of the SCO RATS Executive Committee.

The chairmanship of the SCO RATS Council passed from Pakistan to Russia. It was decided that the Council's next meeting would be held at the SCO RATS Executive Committee building in Tashkent.