The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has urged Afghanistan to form an inclusive government, cautioning that the absence of political and ethnic representation continues to endanger regional peace and stability. The call was made in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the SCO’s two-day summit in Tianjin on Monday.
Leaders of the regional bloc reaffirmed their support for international efforts to bring peace, development, and reconstruction to Afghanistan, but warned that the country remains plagued by terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and political exclusion. “Only a government representing all ethnic and political groups can lay the foundation for lasting stability,” the statement stressed, underscoring the urgent need for an independent and neutral Afghan state.
The summit, attended by more than 20 world leaders, was marked by the absence of Taliban representatives, a reflection of Afghanistan’s growing diplomatic isolation. SCO leaders noted that until a genuinely inclusive government is established, Afghanistan risks further marginalization from regional forums and remains a source of insecurity for its neighbours.
The joint declaration highlighted concerns that Afghanistan’s continued instability not only hampers its own development but also poses a direct threat to regional security through cross-border terrorism and the spread of narcotics. Member states vowed to intensify cooperation with the international community to address these challenges, while maintaining pressure on Kabul to move toward inclusivity.
Founded in 2001, the SCO brings together major regional powers including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran. Belarus joined the organization in July 2024, while Afghanistan and Mongolia remain observers. The grouping has consistently stressed that Afghanistan’s stability is inseparable from the broader security and prosperity of the region.
