The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has called for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan, saying the participation of all ethnic and political groups is the only way to achieve lasting peace in the country.
As reported by IRAF, in its final statement issued at the SCO summit in Bishkek, member states described Afghanistan as a key factor in regional peace and stability and said they were ready to support international efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability and development in the country.
The statement reaffirmed the members’ commitment to helping Afghanistan become an independent, neutral and peace-oriented state. It also stressed the need to address terrorism, war and drug trafficking in the country.
Support for Peace and Development
The SCO members described Afghanistan as a key link in maintaining stability in Central Asia and expressed their readiness to support peace and development initiatives there.
They said Afghanistan’s future should be built on the principles of independence, neutrality and a commitment to peace.
A Regional and Global Focus
The Bishkek statement also addressed other regional issues, including the need for a just resolution to the Palestinian issue as a means of ensuring peace in the Middle East, as well as adherence to international conventions on arms control.
Afghanistan, however, remained one of the central issues discussed at the summit, particularly in relation to its political and security future.
Taliban Absent from Summit
The absence of a Taliban representative was a notable feature of the Bishkek summit, despite Afghanistan’s prominent place in the final statement.
The lack of Taliban representation at the high-level regional gathering has once again raised questions about the group’s international standing and its degree of acceptance in regional affairs.
Pakistan to Host 2027 Summit
The statement said the next SCO summit of heads of state will be held in Pakistan in 2027.
