It's time to adopt an SCO declaration on nuclear security – Mirziyoyev

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has proposed adopting a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) declaration on strengthening multilateral cooperation in nuclear security. He made the statement on September 1 at the SCO summit in Tianjin, China.

Mirziyoyev emphasized that security cooperation remains one of the SCO’s key priorities, noting the growing need for coordinated approaches and new mechanisms to ensure trust and stability.

"We believe that it is time to adopt an SCO declaration on strengthening multilateral partnership in nuclear security. This declaration will serve as a solid foundation for the development of peaceful nuclear energy, enhance emergency response measures, and make a worthy contribution to the global non-proliferation regime under the auspices of the United Nations," the president said.

The Uzbek leader also voiced concern over the evolving nature of terrorism and extremism, the rise in cybercrime, the spread of synthetic drugs, and the strengthening of organized crime. To counter these threats effectively, he proposed restoring the Council of Ministers of Internal Affairs and Public Security, revising the Agreement on Cooperation in Combating Crime, and drafting a program to combat drug addiction through 2030.

Mirziyoyev further supported resuming the activities of the SCO-Afghanistan Dialogue Group. According to him, one of its main objectives should be fostering constructive dialogue and preparing proposals to support socio-economic projects in Afghanistan.

The SCO summit is being held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, with more than 20 heads of state and representatives of 10 international organizations participating. At the conclusion of the event, 15 new cooperation agreements were signed.

Founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, the SCO initially included six member states: Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.