The heads of Tajikistan, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan (from right to left) meet in St. Petersburg, May 29, 2003. (Xinhua Photo)

    May 29, 2003 -- The heads of six SCO member states held their third summit in Moscow to discuss ways to meet challenges and strengthen cooperation in the region. At the summit, the leaders reached consensus on the institutionalization of the SCO and on some major international issues.

    A joint declaration was issued after the meeting, in which the leaders vowed to further develop a partnership comprehensively among the six countries to face new threats and challenges and expressed satisfaction over the progress made since the establishment of the SCO.

    The declaration also recognized the important role of the United Nations in world issues and asked for extensive cooperationacross the world in the fight against terrorism, drug and other cross-border crimes.