On the security situation in Afghanistan, the SCO has boosted cooperation with the international community and the Afghan government, with an aim to improve the situation in the war-torn country and regional security at large.

In March this year, the SCO held a special international conference on Afghanistan in Moscow, and signed a number of statements on fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime.

The signatories pledged to tap the potential of the organization's regional anti-terrorist agency and conduct joint anti-terror military exercises to step up efforts to combat terrorism.

The conference also called for international efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime, and mapped out action plans in this regard.

The SCO leaders are expected to focus their discussions at the upcoming summit on the crackdown on the three evil forces of terrorism, extremism and separatism.

The summit will inspire member states to deepen cooperation in ensuring regional security and uplift their cooperation to a new high.

Reaching out to world

Another topic expected to top the summit agenda is how to expand the group's exchanges with the rest of the international community.

As a regional organization aimed at maintaining regional stability and security, the SCO has attracted greater attention and won wider recognition by neighboring countries and the international community.

After Mongolia was granted observer status in 2004, Pakistan, Iran and India were added to the list the following year.

In addition, the SCO has continued its close cooperation with international and regional organizations such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The SCO has maintained a momentum of sound development despite the complex and changing international and regional situations, and has played an increasingly important role in safeguarding the common interests of its member states, ensuring regional peace and security and facilitating common development.

The Yekaterinburg summit will further consolidate the group thanks to the joint efforts of all parties concerned, analysts said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2009)