Ban Applauds States For Tackling Terrorism And Extremism In Eurasia
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today praised an intergovernmental organization for its commitment to combating terrorism
and extremism, as well as confronting the complex challenges posed by separatism across Eurasia.
Mr. Ban said it was the duty of the international community to “uphold and protect the dignity of individuals and
(their) fundamental freedoms” in a message to the meeting of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO), held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
In his message Mr. Ban highlighted the need for the SCO to work in collaboration with international efforts in fighting these threats to people’s peace, security and liberty
on across the globe.
“I am pleased that the SCO has working contacts with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ESCAP, the UN Development Programme UNDP and several other entities,” Mr. Ban said.
The SCO is an intergovernmental organization created by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
with the aim to ensure peace, security and stability in the region.
Noting that the SCO has expanded its activities in such areas as trade, development, environment and culture, Mr. Ban
added, “These initiatives not only strengthen bonds among Member States, but bring new opportunities their combined
population of nearly 1.5 billion people.”
The message was delivered on Mr. Ban’s behalf by the Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy in Central
Asia (UNRCCA), Miroslav Jenca.
ENDS