WANA (Apr 24) – Iran will host the 21st Summit of Chief Justices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states next year, according to Iran’s Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, who emphasized the country’s readiness to begin preparations aimed at identifying and addressing key legal challenges facing SCO members.

 

Speaking upon his return from China, where he led a high-ranking judicial delegation to the 20th SCO Judicial Summit, Mohseni-Ejei outlined the outcomes of the event and Iran’s vision for enhanced multilateral cooperation among SCO nations.

 

Boosting Judicial Cooperation in a Rapidly Changing World

“Given the fast-paced evolution of technology, the growing interconnectivity among nations, and the unilateral actions of certain domineering powers attempting to impose their will globally, it is imperative for like-minded and multilateralist nations to expand and deepen their ties, especially in the legal domain,” Mohseni-Ejei said.

 

He stressed that strengthening judicial cooperation is as vital as bolstering political, economic, and security ties, particularly among countries advocating for global justice, sustainable peace, and security.

 

Dialogue on Legal Gaps and AI Challenges

The Iranian judiciary chief noted that the SCO, as a body with a vast geographical and demographic scope, offers unique opportunities for legal cooperation. The summit featured discussions on various regional and international legal matters, including the identification of legal loopholes and the opportunities and threats posed by artificial intelligence.

 

“In addition to presenting proposals for greater mutual benefit among member states, participants exchanged views on the legal and judicial challenges associated with emerging technologies and cyberspace,” he added.

 

Preparations Begin for Iran’s 2026 Hosting

Mohseni-Ejei confirmed that Iran’s judiciary has already started working on the next summit’s agenda. “To ensure the success of the 21st summit, we will begin identifying key challenges and collecting actionable proposals from member states,” he stated, adding that this proactive approach will allow the 2026 summit to focus on pressing issues and practical solutions.

 

The judiciary chief also reported holding bilateral meetings with judicial leaders from seven SCO countries, during which discussions covered a wide array of topics, including legal frameworks for AI, cybersecurity, and data governance.

 

Productive Talks with Chinese Officials

During his visit to China, Mohseni-Ejei also met with senior Chinese judicial and political figures, including the President of China’s Supreme People’s Court and members of the ruling party’s Political and Legal Affairs Commission. These meetings included discussions on judicial collaboration, security coordination, and the exchange of legal expertise.

 

Mohseni-Ejei concluded by expressing hope that Iran’s active participation in the SCO Judicial Summit would serve the interests of both Iran and its like-minded allies, enhancing collective efforts toward legal development and multilateral governance.