Bringing together the efforts to set up close cooperation in industrial exploration of new energy technologies, e.g. in the context of fighting the global climate change, will assume special significance. In this regard greater emphasis will be put on the formulation of common approaches of the SCO member states towards overcoming negative consequences of the climate change and developing eco-friendly sources of energy.

10. The member states of the SCO reaffirm their commitment to basic documents and standards in the field of protection and encouragement of human rights:

-Promote the observance of basic human rights and civil liberties and rights of national minorities in accordance with international obligations and national legislation;

-Share experience in enforcing international treaties on human rights;

-Implement existing agreements in the framework of multilateral and bilateral treaties in the field of social and cultural cooperation;

-Launch active consultations and cooperation at the UN on human rights issues; and

-Maintain interaction of the SCO with other regional organizations and integration-oriented associations on issues of social and cultural cooperation and human rights encouragement.

11. The member states of the SCO state that the geopolitical and economic significance of Central Asia keeps growing. The dynamic evolution of the Organization will contribute to strengthening the strategic stability, maintaining peace and security, and establishing multifaceted economic, social and cultural interaction in the region.

12. External challenges and security threats are the factor which complicates the situation in the region. Current developments in Afghanistan, increasing volumes of drugs trafficking and transnational organized crime determine the need to step up interaction, among others by creating joint mechanisms of assessment, prevention and response to such challenges and threats.

The heads of state consider it important that the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operating in Afghanistan on the mandate of the UN Security Council pay greater attention to the task of battling the production and trafficking of the Afghan narcotics in interaction with the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, neighboring and other interested countries. They suggest outlining this task in the mandate of the ISAF during a regular discussion of the situation in Afghanistan at the UN Security Council.

The member states of the SCO will continue to make joint efforts to set up close interaction with other interested states and international regional organizations with the aim of creating a wide partnership network on counteraction against the threats of terrorism and narcotics.

The heads of state underline the need to increase the activity of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group as part of the efforts concerning interaction with Afghanistan, and to launch practical preparations for convening a special conference on Afghanistan under the auspices of the SCO to discuss issues of joint counteraction against terrorism, illegal circulation of narcotics and organized crime.

13. The heads of state believe that the creation of a nuclear free zone in Central Asia is an important step aimed to consolidate the regime of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. In this regard they proceed from the assumption that the Semipalatinsk Treaty of 2006 will contribute to strengthening peace and security in the region and the fight against international nuclear terrorism by preventing nuclear materials and technologies from falling into the hands of non-state actors.

14. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is open for constructive dialogue with all international and regional organizations who share the objectives and principles of the SCO and conduct their activity in accordance with norms of the international law and the UN Charter. Proceeding from that the SCO stands ready to consider a possibility of establishing interaction with other international organizations with the aim of ensuring a stable, secure and harmonious development of the region with due regard and the fullest consideration for the interests of the SCO member states.

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. A. Nazarbaev

President of the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao

President of the Kyrgyz Republic K. S. Bakiev

President of the Russian Federation D. A. Medvedev

President of the Republic of Tajikistan E. Rakhmon

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan I. A. Karimov

Dushanbe

August 28, 2008

(http://www.fmprc.gov.cn)