25 January 2011: Statement of SCO Secretary-General in connection with terrorist act at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport

"Having learnt with deep indignation the news of a terror attack at Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport, we are resolutely condemning this barbaric crime which cannot be justified for any reason. We are offering sincere sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of the injured and dead, as well as to the people and the government of the Russian Federation.
Whilst attaching primary importance to the decisive struggle against any forms and manifestations of terrorism, the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation will continue to strengthen and expand their interaction on the issues of ensuring regional security and stability in every possible manner".

11 February 2011: Response of SCO Secretary-General to Kazakh President’s 2011 State of the Nation Address

"President N. Nazarbayev’s 2011 state of the nation address holds a special place amongst annual addresses of the Kazakh leader to his people, essentially representing a summary of Kazakhstan’s development successes during its 20-year period of independence, as well as outlining a concrete development plan for the country.
The President’s address, based on the general goals of the Kazakhstan – 2030 Strategy as well as taking into account the current reality and strategic prospects, without exaggeration, symbolises the start of the country’s new development phase.
Under the leadership of President N. Nazarbayev, the government and the people of Kazakhstan have been steadily and gradually moving ahead; political, economic and social reforms are being carried out step by step; citizens’ living standards are rising; Kazakhstan’s international authority is growing.
The measures on tackling the consequences of the global financial crisis implemented by the country’s leadership have brought about significant results.
It is worth noting that apart from stating the country’s development successes since the time of gaining independence, the state of the nation address also sets down concrete tasks on further economic and social modernisation of Kazakhstan.
I believe that implementation of these plans fully echoes the efforts being taken in the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on the formation of a common economic and politically stable space.  
In this regard attention must be paid to the fact that the address particularly underlines Kazakhstan’s resolve to take maximum efforts with the aim of strengthening the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
One knows that the Republic of Kazakhstan is to accomplish an honorable and at the same time highly responsible mission to hold presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in the year 2011 marking its 10th anniversary. Kazakhstan’s presidency will culminate in hosting an SCO summit in June 2011 in Astana commemorating the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation.
I believe that Kazakhstan’s presidency of the SCO will only help reinforce the successes the Organisation has achieved in the past 10 years, which in its turn will facilitate further progressive development of the states in the region.
In conclusion I would like to wish further successful implementation of the outlined plans on the comprehensive modernisation of Kazakhstan".

On 16 February 2011 the SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev received a delegation from Beijing Agricultural University headed by Deputy Rector Du Xiaolin.
During the meeting exchange of views took place on the issues of the SCO Secretariat’s interaction with BAU academics.

The SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev participated in an international research-to-practice conference "10 years on Path of Security and Cooperation: Successful Experience of Counteracting Contemporary Challenges and Threats in SCO region" which took place on 22-23 February 2011 in Almaty.
The conference was staged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan as part of the activities designed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the SCO founding.
Scholars and diplomatic officials from SCO member, observer and dialogue partner states as well as from Afghanistan and Turkmenistan were in attendance.

On 23 February 2011 on the sidelines of the international research-to-practice conference “10 years on Path of Security and Cooperation: Successful Experience of Counteracting Contemporary Challenges and Threats in SCO region”, the SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev delivered a lecture to the academics and students of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University regarding the current activity and further development of the SCO.
During a meeting between the SCO Chief and the KNU Rector G. Mutanov exchange of opinions took place over the issues of education cooperation in the SCO framework.

On 1 March 2011 at the request of the American side, the SCO Deputy Secretary-General M. Konarovskiy received at the SCO headquarters a group of U.S. scholars headed by Karl D. Jackson, Director of the Asian Studies Program, Johns Hopkins University, and former senior director for Asia on the National Security Council. The scholars were visiting Beijing on the invitation of China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.
During the meeting the American guests were briefed on the main stages of SCO evolution, its basic documents and key areas of cooperation. Exchange of opinions also was held over security problems in Central Asia within the context of the current situation in Afghanistan, trafficking of drugs and terrorism.

4 March 2011: Statement of SCO Secretary-General in connection with Middle East events

"The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states maintain friendly relations with countries in the Middle East and North Africa, are closely watching the unfolding situation in the region, and hoping that the governments and peoples of the countries concerned will resolve current problems through dialogue and consultations, restore stability and order at the earliest possible time, follow the path toward development in accordance with their national reality, with due regard for the core interests of their peoples, strictly observing human rights, the international humanitarian law, ensuring the security of civilian population.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation believes that problems of a certain country must be solved through political means, through a national dialogue, and is calling on the international community to play an active and constructive role, facilitate peace, stability and development in the region".

On 9 March 2011 the SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev held a meeting at the SCO Secretariat with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation A. Borodavkin.
During the meeting the current state and prospects for cooperation in the SCO framework were discussed in practical terms, and exchange of opinions took place over the issues of preparing for the approaching SCO anniversary summit in Astana and the Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) Council meeting in Moscow.

15 March 2011: Statement of SCO Secretary-General in connection with natural disasters in Japan

"Regarding the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan which have caused catastrophic consequences, numerous human casualties and considerable property damage, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is conveying sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the families of the dead and injured.
Expressing solidarity with the people and government of Japan, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states will continue to assist the Japanese side in overcoming difficulties and dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters".

On 17 March 2011 Astana hosted a meeting of defence ministers of the SCO member states. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of A. Djaksybekov, the defence minister of Kazakhstan.
The national defence minister of China Liang Guanglie, the defence minister of Kyrgyzstan A. Kudayberdiev, the deputy defence minister of Russia A. Antonov, the defence minister of Tajikistan S. Khayrulloyev, the SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev and the SCO RCTS Director D. Djumanbekov were in attendance.
During the meeting the ministers approved the cooperation plan among the defence ministries of the SCO member states for 2012-2013, and signed a joint communiqué.
Upon conclusion of the meeting the heads of the defence ministries held a news conference.

On 19 March 2011 a football competition between teams from the embassies of SCO and CIS member states took place in Beijing. The event was held on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the SCO founding and the spring festival Nowruz.
The competition was organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to China in the framework of Kazakhstan’s presidency of the SCO, with the active support of the SCO Secretariat and representative offices of Kazakh companies in Beijing.
Eight teams took part in the event. The CIS team won the first place followed by the SCO Secretariat and the Kazakh Embassy teams.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan I. Adyrbekov, the SCO Deputy Secretary-General M. Konarovskiy, Kazakhstan’s National Coordinator on SCO affairs S. Nuryshev and Permanent Representative to the SCO Secretariat B. Seytbattalov made welcoming statements to the participants.

On 30 March 2011 Astana hosted a regular Meeting of heads of counternarcotics agencies of the SCO member states.
The SCO Secretary-General M.Imanaliev was in attendance and delivered a statement. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan's Minister of Internal Affairs S.Baymaganbetov.
In a friendly and constructive spirit the parties discussed the issues of developing international cooperation, exchanged information on the process of implementing in their respective countries the Agreement among the SCO member states on cooperation in the field of combating the illegal circulation of narcotics, psychotropic substances and their precursors signed on 17 June 2004.
Approval of the draft Counternarcotics Strategy of the SCO Member States for 2011-2016 and its Action Plan became the main outcome of the Meeting.
The Meeting also resulted in the formulation of measures on boosting practical cooperation through a launch of four working groups on improvement of the legal base for counternarcotics cooperation, on law enforcement operations and prevention of drug crime, on precursor control, on drug demand reduction.

30 March – 1 April 2011 Astana hosted a second expert-level meeting on the formulation of draft Appendices to the Agreement among the governments of the SCO member states on international road transportation facilitation.
In the course of the meeting exchange of opinions took place over the approaches to putting together a list of routes and border access points.
A. Bekturov, Kazakhstan’s vice minister for transport and communications, delivered a welcoming address to the participating sides.
Officials from transport, customs departments, foreign ministries of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the SCO Secretariat and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific were in attendance.

The election of the President of Kazakhstan held on 3 April 2011 was free and transparent. Head of the Observers' Mission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation M. Imanaliev considers so. 
"The Mission believes that the presidential elections in Kazakhstan were free and open, meeting all requirements of the national legislation and international election standards", M. Imanaliev said.
According to him, the Mission members had arrived at the polling stations an hour before they started working, and they could observe the course of preparation of the ballots and boxes. All in all, the observers visited 31 polling stations in Astana, Almaty and Karaganda.

On 7-8 April 2011 the SCO Secretariat hosted a regular meeting of the SCO Expert Group on International Information Security chaired by the Russian side.
During the meeting exchange of opinions took place over coordination of the SCO member states' positions on international information security issues in the framework of international organisations and fora.

In accordance with the Programme of consultations among the ministies of foreign affairs of the SCO member states, on 7-8 April 2011 the SCO Secretariat hosted a meeting of representatives from the press departments of the member states' MFAs.
During the consultations exchange of opinions took place over the issues of interaction among the press departments of the MFAs, and the Plan on media coverage of Astana summit was approved. The parties expressed readiness to maintain close interaction with the Kazakh side on media coverage of the approaching HSC meeting.

On 9 April 2011 Beijing Agricultural University staged an annual festival Apricot Recitations designed to commemorate the fifth anniversary of a solemn making of the Apricot Garden of Friendship.
The SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev, representative from the Chinese MFA’s East Europe and Central Asia Department Gong Jianwei, secretary of the BAU party committee Wang Huimin delivered congratulatory statements during the event.
Ambassadors of Kazakhstan and Ukraine, charges d’affaires of Kyrgyzstan and Armenia, officials from the Embassy of Tajikistan, scholars from the East Europe and Central Asia Division of China State Council Development Research Centre, officials from Beijing’s city government, Chinese media representatives and foreign journalists were also in attendance.
The festival was organised by the Embassy of Tajikistan to the People’s Republic of China and Beijing Agricultural University. The Apricot Recitations concluded with a celebratory gala concert.

12 April 2011: Statement of SCO Secretary-General on terrorist act at Oktyabrskaya Station of Minsk metro system

"Having learnt with deep indignation the news of an explosion at Oktyabrskaya Station of the Minsk metro system, I resolutely condemn this terrorist act which does not have and cannot have any justification. My sincere condolences and sympathy go to the families of the dead and injured, as well as to the people and government of the Republic of Belarus".

On 19 April 2011 the SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev received E. Bajarunas, Ambassador at large and Director of Political Department of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting the Lithuanian official whose country currently holds the presidency of the OSCE, discussed with the Secretary-General the prospects for interaction between the two organisations.

On 19 April 2011 the SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev received L. Backström, the Ambassador of Finland to China.
During the meeting exchange of opinions took place over the current situation in the SCO region regarding maintenance of security and economic cooperation. 

On 22 April 2011 the SCO Secretary-General received at the SCO Secretariat Martin Marmy, Secretary-General of the International Road Transport Union.
During the meeting the two sides informed each other on the priority areas of IRU’s and SCO’s activity, and expressed hope for further development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of transport.

On 26 April 2011 the Academy of Fine Arts of Shanghai University launched an exhibition “Journey of Peace” which put on display works of artists from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states. The art workers exchanged experience and discussed opportunities for expanding cultural cooperation.
A major art exhibition is scheduled during the 10th anniversary summit of the SCO to be held this June in Astana.
The “Journey of Peace” was attended by the SCO Deputy Secretary-General P. Dodov and art workers from the SCO member states – Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. At the solemn opening ceremony, the only representative from the six countries - Tajik artist S. Kurbanov, People’s Artist of the USSR, People’s Artist of Tajikistan, tree-time laureate of the State Rudaki Prize in the field of literature, art and architecture, was awarded the title of honorary professor of Shanghai University.

On 6 May 2011 Almaty hosted an international research-to-practice conference “Kazakhstan’s presidency of the SCO in 2010-2011”.
The SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev, representatives of the Administration of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, leading experts from state and non-governmental research centres of the SCO member states, representatives of international organisations as well as diplomatic officials accredited in Kazakhstan were in attendance.
During the conference exchange of opinions took place over the current state and prospects for the SCO member states’ cooperation in the field of safeguarding the regional stability and security, and the opportunities for further expansion of trade and economic interaction were discussed.

On 28 April 2011 Astana hosted a second meeting of the ministers of internal affairs and public security of the SCO member states held under the chairmanship of the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan K. Kasymov. Relevant officials of the six parties, the SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev and the RCTS Executive Committee Director D. Djumanbekov were in attendance.
Representatives of the SCO observer states – the Republic of India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as well as of an SCO dialogue partner – the Republic of Belarus participated in the meeting.
The ministers discussed the issues of fighting against criminal activities and the prospects for further cooperation in the field of countering organised crime, drug trafficking, illegal migration, as well as sharing the member states’ best experience in uncovering and preventing crimes related to illegal use of information technology and the Internet.
The meeting passed off in a spirit of friendship, understanding and constructive dialogue.
Upon outcome of the meeting the ministers signed a protocol.

On 29 April 2011 Astana hosted a sixth meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the SCO Member States held under the chairmanship of the Kazakh side. Relevant officials of the six parties, the SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev and the RCTS Executive Committee Director D. Djumanbekov were in attendance.
In the run-up to the tenth anniversary meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council, in a friendly and constructive spirit the parties exchanged views on the security situation in the SCO region, deepening cooperation in the field of countering terrorism, separatism and extremism, fighting against trafficking of narcotics and arms at a new development stage of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
The parties reaffirmed their intention to continue joint struggle against terrorism, separatism and extremism, trafficking of narcotics and arms, as well as other kinds of transnational crime and illegal migration in the framework of the SCO which is the firm guarantor of peace and stability in the region.
The parties stated that the continuing tension and confrontation in Afghanistan still remains one of the main sources of threat to security and stability in the SCO region. The parties noted that ensuring security and stability in Central Asia is directly linked to the settlement of the situation in Afghanistan. They underlined that relying on a military solution to the Afghan conflict alone would bear no fruit, and expressed a unanimous opinion on the primary need to resolve socioeconomic problems in Afghanistan.
The parties discussed the outcome of the meetings of ministers of defence, internal affairs and public security, heads of counternarcotics agencies, and the counterterrorism exercise “Peace Mission – 2010” staged in Kazakhstan. 
The parties analysed the process of implementing the documents previously signed in the SCO framework, and declared for further deepening of cooperation and coordination of activities with the aim of their consecutive and effective realisation.
The parties discussed the issues of launching practical activities in the framework of the SCO cooperation mechanism in the field of fighting against illegal circulation of narcotic, psychotropic substances and their precursors in the SCO region, demand reduction and improvement of the relevant legal base.
The parties heard a report on the process of preparing the draft Counternarcotics Strategy of the SCO Member States for 2011-2016 and its draft Action Plan which are supposed to be approved during the SCO Heads of State Council meeting on 15 June in Astana. The Minister of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan K. Kasymov and the SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev spoke on this issue.
The RCTS Executive Committee Director D. Djumanbekov presented a report on RCTS activity.
Upon outcome of the sixth meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the SCO Member States the parties signed a Protocol.

3-4 May 2011 the SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev participated in the 4th Astana Economic Forum.
The plenary session entitled “The new decade: challenges and prospects” was opened by the President of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev.
Heads of international organisations, noted scholars - winners of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences as well as business representatives were in attendance.
Discussions were held over the pressing issues of global economic development, such as the prospects for reforming the international currency regime, food security, innovative economy and alternative energy, interaction between the state and private sectors etc.
Upon outcome of the forum, the delegates adopted an open letter to the leaders of the G-20 countries containing recommendations on the recovery and development of world economy.

On 5 May 2011 in Astana, the SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev participated in a solemn ceremony of issuing a postage stamp dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Kazakhstan’s presidency of the SCO.
The MFA of Kazakhstan, with the support of the SCO Secretariat and the assistance of the National Bank of Kazakhstan and the KAZPOCHTA joint-stock company, issued the commemorative coins and postage stamp to mark the approaching SCO anniversary summit and Kazakhstan’s one-year presidency of the Organisation.
The postage stamp features the SCO logotype and the subtitle in Kazakh, Russian, English and Chinese languages. The face value is 210 tenge, the size is 28x40 mm, the number of printed copies - 50 thousand. The SCO anniversary stamp is the 729th in the collection of postage stamps of Kazakhstan.
The SCO is a regional international organisation founded in Shanghai in 2001 by the leaders of Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan holds presidency of the SCO from 12 June 2010 till 15 June 2011.
An SCO summit commemorating the 10th anniversary of its creation is due on 15 June in Astana.

In accordance with SCO RCTS Council Decision №213 of 23 September 2010, 5-8 May 2011 Kashgar (Xinjiang Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China) hosted a joint counterterrorism exercise “Tianshan-2-2011” with the participation of special services and law enforcement agencies of the SCO member states.
The SCO RCTS Director D. Djumanbekov, SCO Deputy Secretary-General Hong Jiuyin, heads of counterterrorism departments of the SCO member states, as well as representatives of SCO observer states – India, Pakistan and Mongolia watched the drills.
The counterterrorism exercise “Tianshan-2-2011” was organised by the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China. 

 

On 13-14 May 2011 Almaty hosted a regular meeting of the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Member States (hereinafter the SCO or the Organisation). The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan E. Kazykhanov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Yang Jiechi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic R. Kazakbayev, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation S. Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan K. Zarifi, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan B. Islamov took part.
The SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev and the Director of the Executive Committee of the Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure D. Djumanbekov were in attendance.
The Ministers were received by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev.
The meeting of the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the SCO Member States was held under the chairmanship of the Kazakh side.
In preparation of the meeting of the Council of the Heads of the SCO Member States dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the SCO (Astana, 15 June 2011), the parties considered the issues of further enhancing the role and place of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in the global and regional environment. The common opinion was expressed on the need to continue multifaceted mutually beneficial cooperation in the framework of the SCO and to strengthen its position as a prestigious international structure.
During the meeting the parties noted with satisfaction that in the past year, following the previous meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council on 10-11 June 2011 in Tashkent, a considerable amount of work had been carried out to increase practical interaction in the SCO framework in the fields of politics, security, economy and cultural cooperation. 
Exchange of opinions took place over the pressing international issues, recent developments in the world and in the SCO region. The prospects for SCO’s cooperation with other multilateral organisations were discussed.
The heads of delegations believe that in current conditions strengthening cooperation with the aim of safeguarding the regional peace, security and stability, enhancing the Organisation’s capability to make a timely and adequate response to emerging challenges and threats will be conducive to ensuring the core long-term interests and sustainable development of the SCO member states.
The parties noted the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states in assisting the Kyrgyz side in normalising the situation in the country and providing Kyrgyzstan a great deal of humanitarian and financial aid.
The heads of delegations underlined the leading role of the United Nations in pushing forward the process of peaceful reconstruction in Afghanistan, expressed their support for the Afghan people to choose themselves their own development path, gradually take over the responsibility for all key areas of life in the country, including ensuring the security and socioeconomic development of the IRA, emergence of a friendly Afghanistan as an independent, peaceful and prosperous state.
The Ministers rated positively the efforts of the SCO member states contributing to the cause of economic reconstruction of Afghanistan, and called on the international community to provide further assistance to the government and people of Afghanistan.
The heads of delegations confirmed their intention to expand interaction in such areas as the joint struggle against terrorism, separatism and extremism, illicit circulation of narcotics and organised transnational crime. The adoption of the Counternarcotics Strategy of the SCO Member States for 2011-2016 and its Action Plan will become an important contribution to the fight against narcotic, psychotropic substances and their precursors.
The Ministers declared for further deepening of regional economic cooperation, creation of additional favourable conditions for trade and investment, establishment of effective interaction in the field of innovation, formation of a funding mechanism for joint projects.
The parties approved the draft Memorandum of Obligations of a Candidate Country with the aim of obtaining SCO member status.
The heads of delegations welcomed the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/65/124 “On cooperation between the UN and SCO” dated 13 December 2010.
The parties confirmed the need to comprehensively implement the potential for multifaceted interaction with the SCO observers and dialogue partners.
The SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev presented the Report on the work of the SCO Secretariat in the past year which was approved by the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the SCO Member States.
The meeting passed off in a traditional spirit of friendship and understanding.

 

On 19 May 2011 Astana hosted the 8th Meeting of Ministers of Culture of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Member States. The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan M. Kul-Mukhammed, the Minister of Culture of the People’s Republic of China Cai Wu, the State Secretary of Culture and Information of the Kyrgyz Republic M. Bektenaliev, the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation A. Avdeyev, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan M. Asrori, the First Deputy Minister for Culture and Sport of the Republic of Uzbekistan B. Sayfullayev were in attendance.
The SCO Deputy Secretary-General A. Nasyrov, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance of the Islamic Republic of Iran S. Hosseini, the Vice Minister of Education, Culture and Science of Mongolia K. Chonoy, the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Belarus V. Kurash, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India A. Sharma and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan M. Tufail also participated in the meeting.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan M. Kul-Mukhammed.
In a spirit of friendship and understanding the Ministers of Culture of the SCO Member States discussed the state and prospects for cultural exchanges in the SCO framework, cooperation in the field of preserving non-material cultural heritage, promoting national traditional culture and other issues of mutual interest.
The parties declared for further development of multilateral and bilateral ties in the framework of the Organisation aimed to deepen understanding among nations, preserve the diversity of cultures, promote mutual respect, and spread the knowledge of traditions and customs of peoples living in the SCO region.
The parties also noted the significance of active development of multilateral cultural cooperation with the SCO observers and dialogue partners.
Venue and date of the next Meeting of Ministers of Culture of the SCO Member States will be agreed through diplomatic channels.
The parties expressed deep gratitude to the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan for its hospitality and excellent organisation of the Meeting.

On 25 May 2011 the SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev met at the SCO Secretariat with M. Safari, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the People’s Republic of China.
During the talks the parties discussed the outcome of the SCO Foreign Ministers Council meeting held on 14 May 2011 in Almaty, as well as the issues of preparing for the approaching anniversary summit of the SCO due on 15 June 2011 in Astana.

On 26 May 2011 the SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev met with the Current President of the OSCE, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lithuanian Republic A. Azhubalis.
During the meeting the parties exchanged opinions over the current situation in the field of maintaining security in the Eurasian region, and discussed the prospects for interaction between the SCO and OSCE.

27-28 May 2011 Tashkent hosted a sixth session of the SCO Forum organised by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The ISIS holds presidency of the SCO Forum in 2010-2011, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.
The ISIS Director S. Norgitov launched the 6th Forum, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan B. Islamov and the SCO Deputy Secretary-General Hong Jiuyin delivered welcoming statements.
Over 70 scholars, experts and diplomats from SCO member and observer states were in attendance.
In the course of the Forum exchange of views took place over the following issues:
1. The outcome of the SCO Heads of State Council meeting in Tashkent in 2010;
2. The priorities for further cooperation in the SCO framework (security, economy, social and cultural cooperation);
3. The maintenance of security and stability in the SCO region (the legal base and cooperation prospects).

On 1 June 2011, with the active assistance of the representative office of the Russian News Agency RIA Novosti in Beijing, the SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev took part in a press conference in the form of a telebridge “Beijing-Astana-Moscow”.
During the press conference questions were asked about the current preparations for SCO summit due 15 June in Astana, as well as cooperation in the field of security, economy and the prospects for further development of the Organisation.

On 14-15 June 2011 Astana hosted a meeting of the Council of the Heads of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (hereinafter – the SCO or the Organisation) commemorating the 10th anniversary of the SCO. The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev, the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic R. Otunbayeva, the President of the Russian Federation D. Medvedev, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan E. Rakhmon, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan I. Karimov took part.
The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev chaired the meeting.
The SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev and the Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure (RCTS) D. Djumanbekov were in attendance.
The heads of delegations of the SCO observer states – the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran M. Ahmadinejad, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan A. Zardari, the Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India M. Krishna, the Head of the Office of the President of Mongolia D. Battulga, as well as the guest of honour of the host state – the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan H. Karzai were present at the meeting and delivered statements.
The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Organisation, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime Y. Fedotov, the Chairman of the Executive Committee – Executive Secretary of the Commonwealth of Independent States S. Lebedev, the Secretary-General of the Eurasian Economic Community T. Mansurov, the Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation N. Bordyuzha were in attendance as well.

In-depth exchange of opinions took place over the current situation in the region and the rest of the world, as well as the state and prospects for interaction in the SCO region. With regard to the 10th anniversary of the Organisation, the experience and results of its activity in the past period were summarised.
The parties noted that in the course of 10 years the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, despite serious changes in the international and regional situation, bravely withstood the tests of time and established itself as an important mechanism of deepening good-neighbourly, friendly and partner relations among the SCO member states. The Organisation became an effective multilateral structure assisting in ensuring the regional security, socioeconomic development and prosperity, an example of developing intercultural dialogue and an active factor in the global efforts on the democratisation of international relations.
Assessments of the Organisation’s activity and the member states’ approaches to further enhancement of the mechanisms and forms of pragmatic cooperation, as well as the guidelines for joint work in the immediate future are set forth in the Astana Declaration of the 10th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
The parties approved the Counternarcotics Strategy of the SCO member states for 2011-2016 and its Action Plan aimed to contribute to raising the effectiveness of joint efforts on confronting the narcotic threat in the SCO region.

The Memorandum of Obligations of a Candidate Country Applying for SCO Membership Status formulated on the basis of the Regulations on the Admission of New Members to the SCO is meant to further improve the legal base for the expansion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The Council of National Coordinators and the expert working group will continue to consider a set of issues concerning the SCO expansion, among others agreeing the necessary legal, administrative and financial conditions for accepting new members.
The plenipotentiary representatives of the member states of the Organisation signed the Agreement among the governments of the SCO member states on cooperation in the field of healthcare.
The Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the SCO Secretariat and the UN ODC.
The Report of the SCO Secretary-General on the activity of the Organisation in the past year and the Report of the RCTS Council on the work of the Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure in 2010 were submitted and approved.

The member states reaffirmed their intention to continue interaction in the field of countering terrorism, separatism and extremism in all their manifestations, fighting against illegal circulation of narcotics and weapons, other kinds of transnational crime and illegal migration.
With regard to the emerging real threats to information security, the parties confirmed the significance of cooperation of the SCO member states on advancing common rules of conduct in the international community in the field of safeguarding international information security.
The member states stated that the unresolved situation in Afghanistan coupled with the continuing tension and confrontation in the country remains one of the key sources of threats to the regional security and stability. Whilst underlining the impossibility of settling the Afghan conflict solely through military means, the member states are unanimous about the need to pay priority attention to sorting out the socioeconomic issues in Afghanistan, including the reconstruction of communications and public infrastructure. In this regard the SCO supports the efforts of the member states involved in the implementation of economic reconstruction projects in the IRA in conjunction with international institutions and other interested parties.
Within the context of fulfilling the tasks of fighting against new challenges and threats, in the period following the previous HSC meeting in 2010, the SCO held meetings of secretaries of security councils (Astana, 29 April 2011), public prosecutors (Xiamen, 22 October 2010 and Almaty, 8 June 2011), ministers of internal affairs and public security (Astana, 28 April 2011), ministers of defence (Astana, 17 March 2011), chiefs of staff (Shanghai, 25-26 April 2011), heads of counternarcotics agencies (Astana, 30 March 2011), counterterrorism drills “Peace Mission – 2010” (Zhambyl Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 9-25 September 2010) and “Tianshan – 2 – 2011” (Kashgar, 6 May 2011), as well as an international research-to-practice conference (Almaty, 22-23 February 2011) and the sixth session of the SCO Forum (Tashkent, 27-28 May 2011).
The parties noted with satisfaction the growing activity of the RCTS as an effective mechanism of coordinating pragmatic interaction among the competent services of the SCO member states. The parties rated positively the process of implementing the Programme of cooperation in the field of combating terrorism, separatism and extremism for 2010-2012.
The parties stressed the active role of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in assisting the Kyrgyz side in the normalisation of the situation in the country and providing a significant amount of humanitarian and financial aid to Kyrgyzstan.

The parties rated positively the outcome of the meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the SCO Member States held in Dushanbe on 25 November 2010. The parties stated a marked increase in the economic activity of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation being conducted in the framework of competent ministries and departments. The Business Council and the Interbank Consortium are recommended to take concerted practical steps on the implementation of multilateral projects contributing to the socioeconomic development of the SCO member states and boosting their investment and financial cooperation. Consideration of possible funding mechanisms for such projects will be expedited.
The heads of state noted the positive outcome of the Meeting of ministers in charge of external economic and trade activity, the Meeting of ministers of agriculture and the Meeting of heads of financial control institutions. Based on the previous experience, the parties will continue the practice of staging special events under the SCO auspices, using various international economic platforms.
The member states noted the important role of cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange in the SCO framework in strengthening the relations of good-neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation. In its future activity the Organisation will put greater emphasis on strengthening cooperation in the fields of culture, environmental protection, science, technology, innovation, healthcare, tourism and sport.
Regular activities in the field of education, the meeting of ministers of culture (Astana, 18-19 May 2011) and the first Meeting of ministers of healthcare (Astana, 18 November 2010) have contributed to achieving these goals.
The parties underlined the importance of gradual development of cooperation in the field of prevention and elimination of emergency situations in the SCO region.
The member states called for further expansion of cooperation with the SCO observer states – India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan, the dialogue partners – Belarus and Sri Lanka whose potential can give significant impetus to further intensification of the activity of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
The heads of state note with satisfaction that the adoption on 13 December 2010 at the 65th session of the UN General Assembly of the Resolution on cooperation between the UN and SCO contributes to further consolidation of interaction between the two organisations on the issues of ensuring security and stability, economic, social and cultural development as well as in other areas of common interest.
The parties underlined the positive tendency toward developing the SCO’s links with the CIS, CSTO, EurAsEC, ASEAN, ECO and ESCAP on the basis of the concluded memoranda of understanding. Work will continue on further expansion of the SCO’s international activity.
The heads of state highly rated the presidency of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the SCO, and expressed gratitude to the Kazakh side for the hospitality extended during the summit in Astana commemorating the 10th anniversary of the SCO.
The next meeting of the Council of the Heads of the SCO Member States is to be held in 2012 in the People’s Republic of China. In accordance with the SCO Charter, the People’s Republic of China is taking over the presidency of the Organisation in the coming period.
The parties backed the proposal of the Chinese side to declare the period of presidency of the PRC at the SCO in 2011-2012 “the Year of Good-neighbourliness and Friendship”.

On 17 June 2011 the SCO Secretariat organised an official reception on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation held at the Westin Beijing Chaoyang Hotel.
The SCO Secretary-General M. Imanaliev and the Deputy Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China Zhang Zhijun were in attendance and delivered statements.
During the reception the Chinese side staged an SCO photo exhibition and screened a documentary prepared by the Kazakh side on the Organisation's evolution in the past decade.

13 July2011： Statement of SCO Secretariat in connection with sinking of Bulgaria cruise boat

“Regarding a sinking of the cruise boat Bulgaria which took place on 10 July 2011 in the Volga River (the Russian Federation) and caused numerous human casualties, the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation conveys sincere condolences and sympathy to families and friends of the victims as well as to the injured”.

22 July 2011: Statement of SCO Secretariat in connection with earthquake in Uzbekistan

“Regarding a strong earthquake that happened in the early hours of 20 July in the Fergana Valley of the Republic of Uzbekistan and caused human casualties, the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation conveys sincere condolences and sympathy to families and friends of the victims as well as to the injured”.