SCO’s RATS
Iran officially participated in a meeting of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Kazakhstan.
The 40th summit involved nine member countries—China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—along with two observers.
During the meeting, they exchanged views on issues related to terrorism, separatism, and extremism. They strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack that claimed several lives at the Shah Cheragh shrine in Shiraz, Iran.
Iran attends the SCO’s RATS moot for the first time in Kazakhstan.
Other significant topics addressed at the event included the need to focus on the situation in Afghanistan. Discussion also focuses on the fight against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.
Participants also expressed their appreciation for the efforts made to combat terrorism and paid tribute to Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Iranian General was assassinated in a drone strike authorized by former U.S. President Donald Trump near the Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020.
The 40th meeting of the RATS of the SCO was chaired by Kazakhstan, and China was designated to assume the presidency in 2024.
Iran became a full member of the SCO on July 4, during the 23rd virtual summit hosted by India.
With eight official members and four observer members, China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan established SCO in 2001. It represented the largest regional market in the world.
This Eurasian organization covers political, economic, security, and defense aspects, encompassing 40 percent of the world’s population and 28 percent of global GDP.
In March 2022, Iran initiated the formal procedure for its SCO membership. Iran’s commitment to joining the SCO was solidified by signing a memorandum of understanding in September of the same year, and shortly thereafter, the Iranian parliament approved the nation’s membership in the group.
