The world has entered an era of rapid technological development and is undergoing unprecedented changes, accompanied by the emergence of a more equitable global order. Challenges and threats to state security have become more sophisticated and dangerous, with new destructive conflicts emerging. The volatility of the geopolitical situation, combined with sanction wars, creates additional challenges for peaceful global development, maintaining social well-being, and ensuring security. Terrorism, separatism, and extremism are not localized or limited to a single country or a region of the world. These threats have long since taken on an international character.

In order to implement the provisions of the Program of Cooperation of the SCO Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Countering Terrorism, Separatism, and Extremism for 2025-2027 and strengthen international cooperation, and taking into account the importance of continuing dialogue on relevant issues in the fight against the manifestations of the “three evils,” the Council of the SCO RATS has decided to hold the 11th International Scientific and Practical Conference on Cooperation in the field of Countering Terrorism, Separatism, and Extremism (the Conference) between the SCO Member and Observer States on November 20-21, 2025, in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan.  

History

The conference is an annual event held by the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO RATS) since 2013. The conferences originated from a round table that brought together specialized researchers from SCO member states and observer states. Since then, the number of participants has grown to 200, and the number of speakers has exceeded 50. In addition to representatives of SCO member states, observer states, and dialogue partner states, delegations from international and regional organizations, as well as scientific, research, information, and analytical institutions, traditionally participate in these conferences. The high-level speakers at these conferences include heads of UN, OSCE, CIS Anti-Terrorism Centre, Council of CIS Border Troops’ Commanders, SKPV, Interpol, EAG, CICA and other entities. The number of participants increases every year.

Mission

As one of the two permanent SCO bodies, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure has a mandate to strengthen cooperation and coordinate interaction between SCO member states in combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Involving other states and organizations in the discourse between SCO member states, observer states, and dialogue partner states helps to open up avenues for expanding cooperation through the exchange of best practices and experiences. Experts and researchers from around the world enrich the Conference with new ideas that provide food for thought for government agencies involved in combating the threats of the “three evils.”

  

Objective

The Conference aims to explore practical and operational cooperation, primarily between SCO member states, SCO observer states, and SCO dialogue partner states, as well as to strengthen cooperation at the national, regional, and international levels. The Conference is expected to propose ways to strengthen existing mechanisms and make them more result focused.

Objectives

The four sessions of the two-day Conference will pursue the following objectives:

- strengthening mutual understanding and operational cooperation among SCO member states;

- improving coordination among SCO member states, SCO observer states, and SCO dialogue partner states;

- strengthening and expanding cooperation between the SCO RATS and other international and regional organizations;

- identifying and eliminating gaps in existing mechanisms for countering terrorism, separatism, and extremism at the national, regional, and international levels;

- analyzing the legal framework and recommend necessary changes in policies to counter the misuse of modern technologies;

- integrating and scaling up efforts at the national, regional, and international levels.

Expected outcomes

During the plenary session, high-level participants will deliver welcoming remarks and share assessment of security challenges and threats, as well as the state and prospects of international cooperation in countering terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

Session I: “National experience in countering terrorism, separatism, and extremism.” This session will loom into the key terrorist threats, forecasts for their development, and national experience in preventing terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
Session II: “International counter-terrorism cooperation.” This session will discuss current issues of multilateral cooperation in the field of countering terrorism, separatism, and extremism by international organizations. 

Session III: “Challenges of deradicalization and protecting the younger generation from the negative influence of destructive ideologies.” This session will include an exchange of experiences on the use of social and economic measures by states to counter radicalization of the population, and consider mechanisms for responding to and localizing manifestations of extremism, countering the involvement of minors and young people in terrorist and extremist activities, and measures taken to counter the threat of extremism using information and communication technologies.

Session IV: “Countering the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies in terrorist, separatist, and extremist activities. Countering money laundering and terrorist financing.” This session will analyse and discuss security threats involving the use of modern information and communication technologies (ICT). Participants are expected to discuss the effectiveness of the methods and means used to counter this issue, including identifying new technological solutions. Experts will identify priorities and make recommendations on strengthening international cooperation in the field of ICT to counter the forces of the “three evils.” It is also planned to discuss forms and methodologies, new types of threats in the field of money laundering and terrorist financing, exchange experiences of international cooperation and development of a legal framework in this area. 

Participants

At the invitation of the SCO RATS Executive Committee, the conference will be attended by representatives and experts from SCO member states, SCO observer states and SCO dialogue partner states, national, regional, and international entities, including public and government bodies, international organizations, and think tanks involved in the process of countering terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

Expenses

The organizer (Executive Committee of the SCO RATS) will provide the venue for the Conference, administrative support, interpretation services from Russian into English and Chinese and vice versa, as well as catering during the Conference. An official reception will be held on behalf of the Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO RATS.

All other expenses, including travel, meals and accommodation, medical care (insurance), consular and visa services, as well as any other expenses not specified by the organizer, shall be borne by the participants or the authorities that send them.

The organizer does not provide visa support, and the Conference guests will be responsible for obtaining their vizas.

Format

Physical participation in the Conference is preferred, as it allows representatives to meet in both formal and informal settings and exchange views on issues of interest.

Working languages

Chinese, Russian, and English.

Dates and venue

The conference will be held on November 20-21, 2025, in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, at the CITY PALACE HOTEL conference hall (15 Amir Timur Street). Participants are required to arrive in Tashkent by the evening of November 19, 2025.

Accommodation

Accommodation for the participants will be provided at a special rate at the CITY PALACE HOTEL (15 Amir Timur Street) upon reservation through the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.

 Phone numbers of emergency services:

- Fire department - 101

- Police - 102

- Ambulance - 103

- Ministry of Emergency Situations - 105

Organizer's contact details:

Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, 22 Durmon Yuli Street, Tashkent;

Tel: + 998 (78) 120 43 66, e-mail: ecrats@mail.ru.

Contact persons:

1. Arman Mukhamedzhanov, Senior Expert.

Phone: +998 (97) 742 19 78 (GSM and Telegram),

E-mail: Arman.ms.sco@gmail.com

2. Vyacheslav Penchukov, Expert.

Phone: +998 (90) 799 88 15 (GSM, WhatsApp, Telegram, Max),

E-mail: Penchukov.rats@mail.ru.

3. Rustam Abdulov, Expert.

Phone: +998 (97) 178 34 39, (GSM, WhatsApp, and Telegram)

E-mail: Rus.sherov.90@bk.ru.