TOKYO: Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Zhang Ming praised Kuwait’s efforts in promoting stability and sustainable development, as well as its role in combating terrorism and fostering cooperation among member states. According to a statement from the Kuwaiti Embassy in China received by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Thursday, the remarks came during a meeting between Ming and Kuwait’s Ambassador to Beijing Jasem Al-Najem. The meeting was held in light of the secretary-general’s participation in a high-level conference titled “Strengthening International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation and Building Agile Border Security Mechanisms – The Kuwait Phase of the Dushanbe Process,” which is set to be held in Kuwait on November 4-5.

The conference will be organized by the Republic of Tajikistan and the State of Kuwait in cooperation with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism within the framework of the “Dushanbe Process on Countering Terrorism and its Financing”. It aims to advance global counter-terrorism strategies and enhance international cooperation in combating terrorism. The “Dushanbe Process,” initiated by Tajikistan, is a key platform for dialogue and coordination among member states and international organizations on counter-terrorism measures. The upcoming conference in Kuwait is expected to build on previous discussions and foster collaborative efforts to address emerging security challenges.

Zhang emphasized that Kuwait’s accession to the organization as a dialogue partner has contributed to achieving the organization’s primary objectives, which focus on enhancing relationships among member states. He also highlighted the growing role Kuwait can play in developing cooperation among member states and unifying efforts to address emerging challenges and threats.

Ambassador Al-Najem reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to maintaining balanced and diverse partnerships and continuously developing them with various countries and international multilateral organizations. He stressed the importance of enhancing international cooperation among SCO member states, particularly in combating terrorism in all its forms, while adhering to dialogue and collaboration based on the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter aimed at preserving peace, security, and protecting national sovereignty.

The ambassador expressed gratitude to the SCO for granting Kuwait dialogue partner status during the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of member states held in May 2023 in India. Estimates indicate that trade exchange among SCO members exceeded $650 billion in the past year. The SCO, which is the largest regional organization in the world in terms of territory and population, aims to build a multipolar global system that aligns with international law and principles of mutual respect, catering to the interests of all states while considering their respective needs and aspirations.

The SCO was established as an intergovernmental organization in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, and currently comprises ten full member countries: Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus. It also includes two observer states, Afghanistan and Mongolia, along with 14 dialogue partner countries, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, and Myanmar. — Agencies