SCO Countries Plan Joint Exercises for Emergency Response

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation countries plan to conduct joint exercises and training to improve their ability to respond to emergencies.

The plans appear in a statement on assistance to states affected by emergencies, signed after the SCO anniversary summit in Bishkek on September 1 and published on the organisation’s website. The document notes an initiative by Kyrgyzstan to create such a mechanism and also considers Russia’s proposal to establish resource reserve funds within the SCO.

Under the statement, member states would provide priority humanitarian aid to countries affected by natural, man-made, biological, social and other emergencies. Assistance would follow an official request from the affected state or be provided with its consent.

The countries also intend to improve rapid exchanges of information about emergencies, the scale of damage, priority needs and available assistance. Joint exercises, training sessions and other activities are planned to strengthen preparedness.

The statement also envisages cooperation with international and regional organisations, including United Nations entities, to coordinate humanitarian efforts and exchange experience. Implementing the declaration would not require additional financial contributions or the creation of a separate budget.