The members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Thursday issued a declaration, proposing that the next UN secretary-general come from Asia.

 

"The SCO holds that the next UN secretary-general should come from Asia," says the declaration, which was signed at the SCO summit Thursday.

 

Established in June 2001, the regional organization comprises China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

 

All presidents of the SCO members attended the summit meeting in Shanghai, celebrating the fifth anniversary of the SCO's founding.

 

"The SCO holds that the UN, the universal and the most representative and authoritative international organization, is entrusted with primary responsibility in international affairs and is at the core of formulating and implementing the basic norms of international law," the declaration says.

 

The declaration calls for the UN to improve efficiency and strengthen its capacity for responding to new threats and challenges by carrying out proper and necessary reforms in light of the changing international environment.

 

As for carrying out Security Council reforms, the principles of equitable geographical distribution and seeking the broadest consensus should be observed, the declaration says.

 

"No time limit should be set for the reforms, nor should a vote be forced on any proposals over which there are major differences," it says.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2006)