On signing the Agreement on the Universal Center for Countering Challenges and Threats to the Security of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States

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Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated August 29, 2025 No. 979.

In accordance with subparagraph 1) of Article 8 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "on International Treaties of the Republic of Kazakhstan", I HEREBY DECREE:

1. To approve the attached draft Agreement on the Universal Center for Countering Challenges and Threats to the Security of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States.

2. To sign an agreement on behalf of the Republic of Kazakhstan on a Universal Center for countering Challenges and Threats to the Security of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member States.

3. This Decree shall enter into force from the date of its signing.

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

K. Tokaev

Approved by Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on August 29, 2025 No. 979

Project plan

Agreement on the Universal Center for Countering Challenges and Threats to the Security of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States

The Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, hereinafter referred to as the Parties,

Reaffirming commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations (hereinafter - the UN),

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization of June 7, 2002,

acting in accordance with their national legislation,

Noting the important role of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (hereinafter - RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in strengthening cooperation between the Parties in the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism,

Deeply concerned about the escalation of security challenges and threats related to terrorism, separatism, extremism, transnational organized crime and their manifestations in the information space, which are addressed in the relevant applicable international legal documents of the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),

Taking into account the increasingly interconnected and comprehensive nature of the above-mentioned challenges and threats, which can undermine peace and stability in the region and hinder the development of friendly relations between States,

Pursuing the goal of increasing joint efforts, improving and developing existing cooperation mechanisms in the SCO in the field of countering the above-mentioned challenges and threats,

Taking into account the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, in accordance with the UN Security Council Counter-terrorism Resolution, the universal counter-terrorism conventions and protocols thereto, as well as the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime of December 13, 2000 and its additional Protocols, the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism of January 10, 2000,

Guided by the provisions of the Shanghai Convention on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism of June 15, 2001, the Agreement on the Data Bank of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization of June 17, 2004, the Agreement on Technical Protection of Information in the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Agreement on Ensuring the Protection of Classified Information within the Framework of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization of June 17 2004, Concepts of State Cooperation - members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism, dated July 5, 2005, Agreements on Cooperation in Identifying and Blocking Channels of Entry into the Territory of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States of Persons Involved in Terrorist, Separatist and Extremist Activities, dated June 15, 2006, agreements on the procedure for organizing and conducting joint anti-terrorist activities in the territories of States - members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization dated June 15, 2006, Agreements on the Procedure for Organizing and Conducting Joint Anti-terrorist Exercises by the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization dated August 28, 2008, the Convention of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization against Terrorism dated June 16, 2009, Agreements between the Governments of the States - members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on cooperation in the field of International information security dated June 16, 2009, Agreements on training personnel for Anti-Terrorist Formations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member States dated June 16, 2009, Agreements on Cooperation between the Governments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States in Combating Crime dated June 11, 2010, agreements on cooperation and interaction of States - members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Border Issues dated July 10, 2015, the Convention of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Countering Extremism dated June 9, 2017, as well as other SCO documents addressing the issues of countering the above-mentioned challenges and threats,

about the following:

Article 1

For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms mean:

The Universal Center or UC is a universal center for countering challenges and threats to the security of the SCO member states.;

The "Council" is the supreme body of the Universal Center, consisting of representatives of the Parties;

"representative" is a person who is charged by the sending Party with the duty to act in this capacity in the Council.;

The "Executive Committee" is the permanent executive body of the Universal Center;

"Director" is the highest administrative official of the Executive Committee.;

"officials" - persons sent by the Parties to work in the Executive Committee and appointed by the Director, with the consent of the Council, to appropriate full-time positions with diplomatic status or equivalent status.;

"secondment officers" are specialists sent by the Parties on a voluntary basis to work in the Executive Committee, who do not receive salaries, guarantees and compensation from the SCO budget.;

"employees" are persons who perform administrative, technical, or other functions in the Executive Committee and do not have diplomatic status.;

"personnel" - Director, officers, seconders, and employees;

"Permanent Representative of the SCO member State to the Universal Center" is a person who is charged by the sending Party with the duty to act in this capacity.;

"employee" is a person sent by a Party to perform functions related to the activities of the permanent representative of the SCO member State at the Universal Center.;

"premises" - buildings or parts of buildings used for the purposes of the Universal Center and its branches, regardless of the form and ownership of them, including land plots serving these buildings or parts of buildings;

"host State" means the Party on whose territory the Executive Committee and (or) the offices of the CC are located.

Article 2

The Parties are creating, on the basis of the SCO RATS, a Universal Center for countering challenges and threats to the security of the SCO member states in the city of Tashkent, the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the inclusion of the Information Security Center in its structure, as well as the Center for Combating Transnational Organized Crime as a branch in the status of a structural subdivision of the universal center located in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Republic.

The Universal Center is the legal successor of the SCO RATS. All rights and obligations of the SCO RATS, including those arising from international treaties, shall be transferred to the SC from the date of entry into force of this agreement.

The UC is guided in its activities by international treaties, decisions and other documents adopted within the framework of the SCO.

Representatives of the Parties to the SCO RATS Council, as well as permanent Representatives of the Parties to the SCO RATS, who are required by the Parties to act in this capacity as of the date of entry into force of this Agreement, continue to represent their Parties as representatives to the Council of the SCO and Permanent Representatives of the SCO Member States to the UNIVERSAL Center, respectively.

If necessary, the Council of Heads of SCO member States may establish additional offices of the Universal Center in the territories of the Parties.

The conditions of stay of the Universal Center and its branches are determined by agreements between the SCO and the Governments of the host States.

Article 3

The Universal Center is a permanent body of the SCO and is designed to facilitate the interaction of the competent authorities of the Parties and coordinate their cooperation in countering security challenges and threats related to terrorism, separatism, extremism, transnational organized crime and their manifestations in the information space, the counteraction of which is provided for in the relevant applicable international legal documents of the United Nations and the SCO (hereinafter - challenges and threats to security).

The activities of the UC are regulated by this agreement and the Regulation on the Universal Center for Countering Challenges and Threats to the Security of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (hereinafter referred to as the Regulation), which is approved by the Council of Heads of the SCO Member States.

Article 4

The Universal Center enjoys the rights of a legal entity and as such, in particular, has the right to:

conclusion of civil law contracts;

to acquire and dispose of movable and immovable property;

open and maintain bank accounts in any required currency;

to act in courts as a plaintiff or defendant.

The rights provided for in this article are exercised on behalf of the Director of the Management Center.

Article 5

The activities of the UC are financed from the SCO budget.

The procedure for financing the UC is determined by the documents regulating the SCO budget issues.

Article 6

The main tasks and functions of the Control Center are:

1. Development of proposals and recommendations on the development of cooperation in the field of countering security challenges and threats for the relevant SCO bodies, including at the request of the Parties.

2. Assistance to the competent authorities of the Parties in developing and realizing the potential for cooperation in countering security challenges and threats, including in the following areas:

preparation and implementation of operational search and other measures to counter security challenges and threats at the request of the Parties;

2.2. conducting a search for persons who have been put on the wanted list by the special services and law enforcement agencies of the Parties for committing or participating in the commission of crimes that pose challenges and threats to security, at the request of the Parties;

2.3. preparation and conduct of joint border, information and other operations, joint anti-terrorist and other activities of the competent authorities of the Parties aimed at countering security challenges and threats;

2.4. preparation and conduct of joint exercises of the competent authorities of the Parties to counter security challenges and threats, including in the information space;

2.5. personnel training for departments of the competent authorities of the Parties in the field of countering security challenges and threats at the request of the Parties

3. Information and analytical support for SCO bodies and competent authorities of the Parties on issues within the competence of the SCO.

4. Formation, maintenance, operation, protection and development of data banks and information and telecommunication systems using modern technologies.

5. Participation in the development of drafts of international treaties and documents related to countering security challenges and threats, and assistance in bringing together the national legislation of the Parties in this area.

Preparation and holding of scientific and practical conferences, seminars, congresses and exhibitions, as well as other events for the exchange of experience and improvement of mechanisms for countering security challenges and threats.

Establishing and maintaining, in the interests of the competent authorities of the Parties, working contacts with relevant international organizations, government agencies and organizations, as well as, if necessary, with non-governmental, commercial, non-profit organizations and institutions to counter security challenges and threats, including in the information space, in accordance with the procedure approved by the Council.

8. Development of cooperation in the field of countering security challenges and threats with the competent authorities of the SCO observer states and dialogue partners

Other tasks and functions that may be assigned to the UC by a decision of the Council of Heads of SCO Member States.

Article 7

The Universal Center carries out its current activities in cooperation with other permanent SCO bodies.

The interaction of the Universal Center with the SCO Secretariat is regulated by the Regulation.

The interaction of the Universal Center with the SCO Anti-Drug Center is regulated by a separate agreement between the Parties.

Article 8

The Parties determine the list of their competent authorities that interact with the CC, including the competent authority that coordinates the specified interaction.

The Parties shall notify the depositary of this agreement in writing when submitting notifications on the implementation of internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this agreement.

In case of changes in the list of competent authorities, one of the Parties shall notify the depositary in writing.

Article 9

The bodies of the CC are the Council and the Executive Committee established by this agreement.

The Council may establish such subsidiary bodies as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions.

Article 10

The Council is organized in such a way that it can function continuously. For this purpose, each Party must be permanently represented at the location of the CC. The parties, in accordance with national legislation, appoint their permanent representatives to the UOC and their staff.

The regulations on the Permanent Representative of the SCO member State at the Universal Center are approved by the Council of Heads of the SCO Member States.

The Council meets periodically, at which each Party may be represented by the head of the relevant competent authority or another specially authorized representative.

The Council determines the procedure for the implementation of the main tasks and functions of the CC specified in Article 6 of this Agreement.

In accordance with the powers of the CC established in this Agreement, the Council organizes and coordinates the work of meetings of the heads of the competent authorities of the Parties with authority on matters within the competence of the CC, meetings of senior officials of these bodies, expert groups, monitors the activities of the executive committee, makes binding DECISIONS on all matters, including financial matters..

The Council submits annual reports on the activities of the CC to the Council of Heads of SCO member States.

A decision in the Council on any issue is considered adopted if none of the Parties has objected to it (consensus).

The Council shall establish its own rules of procedure, including the procedure for electing the Chairman, as well as the procedure for interaction of the Executive Committee with the competent authorities of the parties.

Article 11

The Executive Committee is headed by a Director and consists of the staff required to ensure the continuous operation of the Management Center.

The Director is the highest administrative officer of the Executive Committee and in this capacity acts at all meetings of the Council, as well as performs other functions assigned to him by this body.

The Director is appointed by the Council of Heads of SCO member States on the recommendation of the Council.

The Director has the right to bring to the attention of the Council any issues within the competence of the Management Committee that, in his opinion, require consideration by this body.

The Director, with the consent of the Council, appoints officials from among the citizens of the Parties, taking into account the contributions of the respective parties to the SCO budget.

The tasks and functions of the Executive Committee, the procedure for their implementation, as well as the procedure for appointing and recalling officials are determined by the Regulations. The structure and staffing of the Executive Committee are approved by the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the SCO member States on the basis of the Director's proposals approved by the Council.

In carrying out their duties, personnel should not seek or receive instructions from any State and/or Government, organization, or private individual.

The Parties undertake to strictly respect the international character of the staff's functions and not to influence them in fulfilling their obligations.

Article 12

The Executive Committee is staffed by persons sent by the Parties to work in the Executive Committee in accordance with the procedure provided for by their national legislation.

The employment relations between employees and the Executive Committee are regulated by the legislation of the host State.

Article 13

The Universal Center, its property and assets, premises, vehicles, archives, documents, including official correspondence, enjoy the privileges and immunities provided for in the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization of June 17, 2004.

Article 14

The Director, officials, and members of their families residing with them enjoy the privileges and immunities provided for in the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization of June 17, 2004.

Security personnel (with the exception of nationals of the receiving State) enjoy privileges and immunities in accordance with article 17 of the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization of June 17, 2004. For security personnel who are citizens of the receiving State, the scope of privileges and immunities granted is established by an agreement between the SCO and the Government of the receiving State on the conditions of stay of the CC.

The privileges and immunities provided for in the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization of June 17, 2004, do not apply to employees.

Article 15

Upon completion of their work in the Management Center, the Director, officials and management staff are seconded to the competent authorities of the Parties that sent them.

Article 16

The parties recognize the official documents, seals and stamps of the CC.

Article 17

The time spent working in the Management Center and its branches in terms of length of service, pension provision for the Director, officials and employees of the Department, as well as members of their families living with them, is carried out in accordance with the procedure and under the conditions determined by the legislation of the sending party.

The procedure for medical care of the Director, officials and secondment staff, as well as their family members living with them, is determined by an agreement between the SCO and the Government of the State on the conditions of stay of the Director.

Article 18

The official and working languages of the UOC are the official and working languages of the SCO.

Article 19

The text of this agreement may be amended with the consent of all parties, which are an integral part of this agreement, which are formalized by protocols.

Article 20

Disputes arising from the interpretation or application of this agreement shall be resolved through consultations and negotiations between the Parties.

Article 21

The SCO Secretariat is the depositary of this agreement, which sends certified copies of it to the Parties within 15 days from the date of its signing.

Article 22

This Agreement shall enter into force on the 30th day after the date of receipt by the depositary of the last written notification on the completion by the Parties of the internal procedures necessary for its entry into force, subject to the entry into force of the Protocol on Amendments to the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization dated June 7, 2002, consolidating the status of the United Nations as a permanent body of the SCO, and approval by this date, the Council of Heads of State of the SCO Member States, the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the SCO member States - the structure and staffing of the UC, as well as the SCO budget, which provides for financing the activities of the UC.

If the Protocol on Amendments to the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization of June 7, 2002, consolidating the status of the UC as a permanent body of the SCO, enters into force, the approval of the Regulations, structure, Staffing Table of the UC and the SCO budget providing for financing the activities of the UC will be after the date of deposit with the Depositary of the last written Notification on the implementation of by the parties to the domestic PROCEDURES specified in this article, this agreement shall enter into force on January 1 of the year, following the year of entry into force of the Protocol on Amendments to the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization dated June 7, 2002 and the approval of the aforementioned documents.

After its entry into force, this Agreement is open for accession by States that have acceded to the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization dated June 7, 2002.

For the acceding State, this Agreement shall enter into force on the 30th day following the date of receipt by the depositary of the relevant instrument of accession.

Article 23

From the date of entry into force of this agreement, the agreement between the member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of June 7, 2002, expires, and the SCO RATS ceases to exist.

Article 24

Any Party may withdraw from this agreement by sending a written notification to the depositary 12 months before the expected withdrawal date, having settled financial and other obligations that have arisen during the validity of this agreement. The Depositary shall notify the other Parties of the withdrawal of the Party from this Agreement within 30 days from the date of receipt of the notification of withdrawal.

Done in Tianjin on September __, 2025, in one original copy in the Russian and Chinese languages, both texts being equally authentic.

For the Republic of Belarus

For the Republic of India

For the Islamic Republic of Iran

For the Republic of Kazakhstan

People's Republic of China

Kyrgyz Republic

For the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

For the Republic of Tajikistan

For the Republic of Uzbekistan

President

Republic of Kazakhstan

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