Roundup: SCO leaders issue declaration on security, energy.

Leaders attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in the Tajik capital issued a joint declaration Thursday on security, energy and several other issues.

[pjam2825]

The declaration was signed by Chinese President Hu Jintao, his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon and his Uzbek counterpart Islam Karimov.

ON USE OF FORCE

The leaders agreed that any attempt to solve problems by merely resorting to force could not work and would only hinder a comprehensive settlement of local conflicts, the declaration said.

A comprehensive solution to existing problems can be found only by taking into account the interests of all parties involved and including them all in the negotiation process rather than isolating any of them, said the declaration.

Any attempt to strengthen a country's own security at the expense of that of others is detrimental to maintaining global security and stability, it said.

On the issue of South Ossetia, the SCO members expressed their deep concerns over the tension triggered by the South Ossetia conflict, and called on relevant parties to solve existing problems peacefully through dialogue, strive for reconciliation and push for negotiations.

ON SECURITY COOPERATION WITHIN SCO

The member states of the organization were satisfied with increased cooperation within the SCO framework in their fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism, the declaration said.

The SCO members reiterated their efforts to maintain the central coordinating role of the United Nations in the global fight against terrorism, and to steadfastly implement the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and to finalize a comprehensive convention on fighting global terrorism at an early date.

The leaders also pledged to establish a mechanism of joint assessment, prevention and response to external threats and challenges to regional security.

On the issue related to the creation of a global anti-missile defense system, they stressed that the establishment of such a system will not help in maintaining a strategic balance, runs counter to international efforts towards arms control and nuclear non-proliferation, and is not conducive to enhancing trust among countries and regional stability.

[Yiyu]

The world is beginning to split into two armed camps.

[pjam2825]

ON ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Against the backdrop of global climate change, it is of special significance for the SCO members to forge close cooperation in developing new energy technology, the declaration said.

Therefore, the SCO members should strive to seek a common position to address the negative impacts of climate change and develop environment-friendly clean energy.

The leaders pledged to seek global common development through bridging the technology gap between countries and eliminating poverty under the premises of ensuring all the countries to equally enjoy the benefits of globalization.

They agreed that it was of special significance to implement responsible fiscal and financial policies, monitor capital flows, and ensure food and energy security amid a world economic slowdown.

On the issue of water resources, they said it was of vital importance for the SCO members to conduct dialogue on the efficient use of water resources.

They also promised to strengthen consultation and cooperation in the the field of human rights within the UN framework and cooperate with other regional organizations and integration mechanisms on cultural cooperation and promotion and guarantee of human rights.

[mojo]

Yiyu wrote:

The world is beginning to split into two armed camps.

Last time that happened, a lot of people died in ww1. Get a feeling we are starting to repeat history.

[Yiyu]

Apart from this time, it may really be the 'war to end all wars.'

[pjam2825]

Yiyu wrote:

The world is beginning to split into two armed camps.

The SCO is dedicated to working within UN guidelines, the SCO is working closely to reform the UN making it more representative of developing nations.
The imperialist American dream of a unipolar world is finished before it could even get started.
It is important that we do no revert back to the cold war era with a bi-polar world but work for a harmonious multi-polar world where a reinvigorated and just UN is the centre of global security, development and environmental protection.

The times of going it alone are over, in this ever increasing interconnected world.

[Yiyu]

It won't work because of human nature, human nature is the same reason communism can never be applied properly, and therefore cannot work.

Lock 50 people in a room, and they will take sides, hate will develop and if they are in a bad situation, they will dream up reasons to kill each other.

[pjam2825]

Yiyu wrote:

It won't work because of human nature, human nature is the same reason communism can never be applied properly, and therefore cannot work.
Lock 50 people in a room, and they will take sides, hate will develop and if they are in a bad situation, they will dream up reasons to kill each other.

I agree, what you are talking about is if these 50 people were left in a state of nature without laws or rules, In this state of survival of the fittest the room would decay leaving the law of the jungle, as space is contained to the room extinction is shore to be the order of the day.

This is why for thousands of years people have bound themselves under social contracts, laws and customs.

It is only through finding common ground, setting boundaries and submitting to them that humanity has survived this long.

The UN is the only platform for finding the common ground and enforcing the agreed boundaries. Institutions like the world court need to be adhered to and implemented evenly to all global citizens.

It is only the law and adhering to it that makes us civilized, Not the technology we have.

Read up on:
Social contract theory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_contract

[Yiyu]

I agree that this meeting is to promote peace and understanding and such, but I doubt China and America will meet eye to eye on issues.

[Yiyu]

However many rules and laws you place, human falibility can still change everything.