A delegation of the SCO RATS Executive Committee took part in the international conference on national and regional counter-terrorism strategies, held by the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate jointly with the Government of Malta from 12 to 13 March 2025 in Valletta (Malta).

The conference brought together senior government officials and experts from UN member states, representatives of UN bodies, international and regional organizations, civil society and academia to discuss the changing nature of terrorism and explore strategies to counter this global threat.

Representatives of the SCO RATS Executive Committee made a presentation on the SCO regulatory legal documents that constitute the counter-terrorism strategy for cooperation between the competent bodies of the SCO RATS. The SCO strategic documents were explained, in particular the statutory ones that enshrine the basic principles of cooperation, as well as program documents that define the goals, objectives and methods of counter-terrorism interaction.

Overall, the conference participants focused on strengthening national and regional counter-terrorism systems based on a whole-of-government and community approach, as well as improving the mechanisms for their implementation.

Participants agreed that in the context of the evolving global terrorist threat, the Valletta Principles will become a non-legally binding guide for the development of comprehensive and integrated national and regional counter-terrorism strategies.

The conference took place in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and a constructive approach.