MEMBERS of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) wrapped up a summit in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana today by calling for a fairer and more democratic international order.

Chinese President X Jinping said: “In the face of the real risks of small yards with high fences, we must safeguard the right to development.”

The Astana declaration said: “The member states consider it necessary to enhance the role of the SCO in creating conditions for strengthening global peace, security and stability, as well as building a new democratic, fair, political and economic international order. 

“To this end, they adopt the SCO Initiative ‘On World Unity for a Just Peace, Harmony and Development’ and invite the world community to join it.”

During the summit Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the increasing use of national currencies instead of the dollar for trade between SCO countries.

President Putin called for the creation of a new payment system within the group.

Following the Chinese principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries, SCO members said they agreed to respect “the right of peoples to independently and democratically choose their paths of political and socio-economic development.” 

They also said that political differences, such as between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, should be settled without violence and instead dealt with through “dialogue and consultations.”

Countering terrorism was also a key focus of discussions during the summit. 

China has largely quelled the years of separatist and Islamic fundamentalist terrorist attacks in its Xinjiang region.

Russia had two terrorist attacks this year, with more than 145 people killed by gunmen at a Moscow concert hall in March. 

The declaration said members were committed “to the formation of a more representative, democratic, fair and multipolar world order.”

China takes over the presidency of the SCO for the next year.

The SCO was established in 2001 by China and Russia to discuss security concerns in Central Asia and the wider region. 

Other members of the group are Iran, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Belarus became a full member during the Astana summit.

Observer states and dialogue partners include Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The SCO is not a military alliance but instead prioritises co-operation over peace, security, trade and development.