SCO leaders call for greater cooperation on family and youth issues

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states have pledged to strengthen the institution of the family and prevent young people from becoming involved in illegal activities. This commitment was outlined in the final declaration of the SCO summit in Tianjin.

“The member states, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring the rights of women and children—including education, healthcare, social and legal protection, and preserving and strengthening the family—support stronger ties between women's associations as a key area of SCO activity. They consider it necessary to hold regular women's forums, congresses, and meetings, and to establish a mechanism for cooperation between relevant bodies of SCO member states,” the declaration states.

The countries emphasized the importance of deepening youth cooperation, creating safe conditions for the younger generation’s development, and reducing risks of their involvement in unlawful activities.

The declaration also underscores the need to strengthen interregional ties and mutual understanding through public diplomacy, partnerships between sister cities, and engagement with local authorities and civil organizations.

The SCO summit is being held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, with Russian President Vladimir Putin, over 20 heads of state, and representatives of 10 international organizations in attendance. At the summit’s conclusion, 15 new cooperation agreements were signed.

The SCO was founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, with Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as founding members. India and Pakistan joined in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.