Leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states issued a declaration, reiterating the SCO's influence on upholding multilateralism and developing equal partnership Friday at its 19th annual summit held in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan.

Leaders from eight SCO member states, namely India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan signed the Bishkek Declaration with cooperation documents in 13 fields and issued a press communique on the summit.

All member states agreed that the SCO, as an effective and constructive multilateral mechanism, has played an important role in maintaining regional peace and security as well as in promoting national development and prosperity. All parties pledged to enhance mutual understanding and communication through the SCO.

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All member states reiterated support to the UN-centered international system, strived to uphold the role of the UN Security Council in maintaining global peace and security under the principle of the UN Charter.

Noting the rampant terrorist activity, all member states agreed to strongly condemn terrorism of all forms, vowed to step up efforts to counter terrorism and firmly opposed using counter-terrorism or counter-extremism as an excuse to interfere in other countries' internal affairs or profit from it.

Member states also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern, pledging to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation under the principle of the UN Charter and work jointly to safeguard the safety, stability and sustainable development of the region.

Regarding Syrian issues, SCO member states stressed that dialogue was the only way to resolve problems, noting that collaboration within the framework of the Astana process created the necessary conditions for the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2254.

On the issue of Afghanistan, SCO member states support the efforts of Afghanistan and its people to rebuild peace and promote stable economic development, and reaffirm their support in the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned political reconciliation process at the bilateral level and within the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group framework.

Russia will chair the 20th annual SCO summit next year.