The one-day conference brought ministers from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan together to discuss a string of issues concerning the body's further development, as well as the regional and world situations.

To effectively cope with challenges from non-traditional security risks, such as terrorism, separatism, extremism, drug trafficking, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, a joint communique released at the meeting called on the SCO members to take necessary measures as soon as possible to carry out mutual cooperation and co-ordinate their actions.

To this end, the ministers reached agreements in principle to set up a secretariat in Beijing and an anti-terror centre in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and they also drew up a common approach to the body's budget for the normal operations.

Such a series of far-extending moves fully demonstrates the SCO's unshakable determination to put into practice the mechanisms construction programme outlined by the organization's St Petersburg summit meeting.

The outline reflects the organization's need to adjust to match the rapid changes in regional and world situations.

Since the establishment of the Shanghai Five Organization, the predecessor of the SCO, the organization has played a key role in the fight against the three forces of terrorism, separatism, and extremism in Central Asia, and has helped maintain regional peace and stability.

But developments in the regional and global situations, since last year's September 11 terrorist attacks in particular, have also exposed the SCO's weaknesses and deficiencies.

The body's original aim, to struggle against the terrorism, separatism and extremism threatening Central Asia, is at risk of being discounted without improvements to its systems and functions.

The consensus reached by the six ministers at the Moscow meeting to press ahead with the SCO's mechanisms construction plan will undoubtedly inject new energy into the organization.

The signing of interim procedures for cooperation between the SCO members and other countries and international organizations will also beef up the body's muscle.

A more effective and powerful SCO can be anticipated, with efficient cooperation within the body itself, and between the body and other entities.

(China Daily November 26, 2002)