The fight against the “three forces of evil” remains a priority - President of Kazakhstan at the SCO summit
Tengrinews.kz — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called on member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to strengthen mutual trust amid rising global risks, citing the Akorda press service.
The President specifically highlighted Kyrgyzstan's successful chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
"Kazakhstan highly values the substantive work carried out by our Kyrgyz friends and partners to strengthen the organization's unity and unlock its multifaceted potential. I am confident that the outcomes of today's meeting will contribute to the further growth of the SCO's international prestige, enhance the efficiency of its activities, and help define clear strategic interests in a changing global reality," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized during the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State.
Taking into account the results achieved, the Head of State outlined several key areas of particular importance for all countries of the "SCO Ten".
"Strengthening mutual trust and cooperation in the field of security is paramount. The SCO represents the largest states in Eurasia, and their positions largely shape the contours of the emerging multipolar world order. This places a special responsibility on our organization. We believe it is timely to hold an SCO Ministerial Conference on strategic stability and confidence-building measures on the Eurasian continent," the Head of State said.
According to the President, the agenda for this event could include issues such as reducing military risks, curbing a new arms race, and preventing dangerous incidents.
Tokayev noted with concern that the consequences of armed conflicts are now spilling over beyond immediate combat zones, affecting international markets, commercial shipping, and the stability of energy and transport links. Consequently, the risk of crisis phenomena spreading across borders has increased significantly.
"At the same time, traditional challenges remain acute. Combating the 'three forces of evil'—terrorism, extremism, and separatism—remains a priority of our interaction. These threats are increasingly intertwined with transnational crime, drug trafficking, illegal arms trade, and cyber threats," the President said.
The Head of State added that Kazakhstan supports the goals and objectives of the planned SCO Universal Center for Countering Security Challenges and Threats, as well as the SCO Anti-Drug Center. Their activities will raise the coordination of the member states' competent authorities to a qualitatively new level and increase the effectiveness of joint efforts in this area.