A New Era for SCO: Addressing Non-Traditional Threats in the Modern World
- Focus on Non-Traditional Threats: The summit emphasized addressing climate change, cybersecurity, food security, and human welfare as critical components of modern security.
- Collaborative Climate Action: Member states committed to regional cooperation on environmental resilience, sustainable development, and disaster preparedness.
- Strengthening Cybersecurity: Leaders prioritized shared intelligence, robust defenses, and capacity-building to counter cyber threats, recognizing cybersecurity as integral to national and regional stability.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which convened its recent summit in October in Pakistan, has marked a significant shift in its focus. Traditionally recognized for addressing strategic and economic issues, the SCO now broadens its agenda to tackle non-traditional security threats such as climate change, food security, human welfare, and cybersecurity. This evolution in priorities reflects the organization’s commitment to adapting to the complex realities of the modern world.
For years, the SCO has been perceived as primarily focused on military cooperation and counterterrorism. While these remain critical, the organization’s role has expanded to include a holistic view of security that encompasses interconnected challenges. At its core, the SCO’s approach recognizes that security is not solely about military readiness but extends to the stability of human lives, ecosystems, and digital infrastructures.
The Evolving Landscape of Security
The emergence of non-traditional threats does not imply a diminished focus on traditional issues like terrorism and extremism. On the contrary, these challenges remain pivotal to the SCO’s agenda. Member states reaffirmed their commitment to collectively eliminate terrorism and extremism, which continue to threaten regional stability. However, there is increasing acknowledgment that these issues are intertwined with broader socio-economic problems. By addressing underlying causes such as poverty, climate vulnerability, and health insecurity, the SCO aims to adopt a more preventive and sustainable approach to combating extremism.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical importance of human security in national and regional stability. Health crises, once seen as peripheral to security, are now recognized as central. The pandemic highlighted vulnerabilities in healthcare systems and emphasized the need for robust cross-border cooperation. SCO leaders stressed that human security, encompassing health, food, and employment, is as crucial as military preparedness. Stable societies are built on the well-being of their citizens, and the SCO is committed to ensuring this foundation.
Climate Change: A Shared Challenge
The summit placed significant emphasis on climate change as a central non-traditional security threat. Extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and heavy rainfall, are increasingly impacting nations worldwide, including those in the SCO. Member states acknowledged that environmental challenges transcend borders and require a collaborative response.
China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change through regional cooperation. “We are facing climate change head-on, not as individual countries but as a united region,” he stated. Wang emphasized that environmental threats disregard national boundaries, underscoring the importance of joint efforts in promoting green energy and sustainable development. Such cooperation, he argued, is essential for securing the future of millions.
Pakistan, which has experienced devastating climate impacts in recent years, used the platform to voice its concerns. The country has faced recurring floods and extreme temperatures, leading to widespread displacement, infrastructure damage, and resource strain. Pakistan’s active participation in the summit demonstrated its commitment to addressing climate challenges and enhancing its resilience to future climate emergencies. The joint commitment of SCO members to sustainable development reflects their collective resolve to confront these environmental threats.
Cybersecurity: The New-Age Threat
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical concern for national and regional stability. Cyberattacks pose significant risks to economic growth, governance, and public safety, making them a shared threat across borders. At the summit, SCO leaders recognized cybersecurity as an integral aspect of national security.
Pakistan, like other member states, has faced multiple cyber threats in recent years. The summit saw a unified pledge from member states to strengthen cybersecurity measures, share intelligence on digital threats, and enhance personnel training to effectively manage cyber incidents. This collaborative approach aims to create a robust defense against the growing risks of cyber warfare. As one leader aptly noted, “In the modern world, cybersecurity is national security. Cyberattacks are new-age warfare.”
Addressing Human and Food Security
Food security, closely linked to health and economic stability, also emerged as a key focus of the summit. The SCO emphasized that food insecurity threatens the prosperity and safety of citizens, particularly in vulnerable regions. By prioritizing agricultural development, resource management, and equitable food distribution, the organization aims to mitigate the risks associated with food scarcity.
Health security remains another cornerstone of human welfare. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a wake-up call, revealing the fragility of global health systems. SCO leaders acknowledged the need for stronger healthcare infrastructure and coordinated efforts to prevent and respond to health crises. This approach reflects the understanding that human security is fundamental to achieving broader national and regional stability.
A Broader Vision for Security
The SCO’s shift towards addressing non-traditional threats marks a significant turning point in its mission. Terrorism and extremism remain high on the agenda, but the organization’s broader focus now includes environmental sustainability, human welfare, and digital security. This evolution reflects a recognition that security is multi-dimensional and interconnected.
Pakistani leaders view this shift as an opportunity to build a safer and more resilient society. The summit underscored Pakistan’s commitment to tackling both traditional and emerging threats in collaboration with other SCO members. By adopting a comprehensive view of security, the SCO is positioning itself as a forward-thinking organization capable of addressing the challenges of the modern era.
Conclusion
The October summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Pakistan marked the dawn of a new era, emphasizing a holistic approach to security. By addressing non-traditional threats such as climate change, food and health security, and cybersecurity, the SCO is adapting to the evolving needs of its member states. This broadened focus demonstrates the organization’s commitment to fostering peace, stability, and resilience in an interconnected world. As Pakistan and other SCO members collaborate on these pressing issues, the summit serves as a testament to the power of regional unity in confronting global challenges.
The author is an expert in peace and conflict studies, currently pursuing her MS in Strategic Studies. Her research focuses on security, human security, and gender, aiming to develop inclusive solutions for national and global challenges.
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