Influential politicians, leaders from international think tanks, experts and scholars have gathered in Beijing for a two-day forum on Saturday to discuss pressing regional and global security issues.  

The recent surge of anti-establishment movements across the globe has resulted in increased uncertainty and emerging threats across the world. 

Despite the presence of US troops in Afghanistan, the country that has been plagued by terrorism for decades, saw the emergence of Islamic extremism in the beginning of 2014. 

In a fresh effort to check the growth of instability, Afghanistan now wishes the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will shoulder more responsibility towards peace and security in the region. 

According to Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia, new realities in the Asia-Pacific region such as the ambiguous security commitment by the new US administration towards its Asian allies and growing Chinese influence, on top of the DPRK’s nuclear weapon program, and the ebb and flow of regional tensions require the already established common institutions—ASEAN and the East Asia Summit—to involve all stakeholders and strengthen their roles in building trust and avoiding conflicts. 

Security is the cornerstone of development. As the champion of peaceful development, China stressed that all nations are equal members in the international society and differences ought to be addressed through dialogues. The launch of the Belt and Road Initiative and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are also examples of development based on mutual respect and benefits.