Iranian Chief Justice Elected Chair of SCO Judicial Forum for 2026; Next Summit to be Held in Tehran

Report By Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

In a significant development, Iran’s Chief Justice, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, has been unanimously elected as the Chair of the Assembly of Heads of Judicial Systems of the (SCO) for the year 2026. The decision was made during the 20th SCO judicial summit, where senior legal officials from member states convened.

It was also officially announced that the 21st session of the Assembly will be hosted by Iran in Tehran. The summit will aim to address pressing regional legal challenges and deepen judicial collaboration among SCO member countries.

Iran Proposes Comprehensive Legal Reforms at SCO Summit

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, highlighted key proposals made by the Iranian Chief Justice during the summit. These proposals include:

• Launching a platform to enhance judicial data sharing for faster criminal investigations
• Harmonizing laws across member states to combat terrorism
• Promoting legal diplomacy to support international trade
• Establishing regional arbitration centers for dispute resolution
• Creating joint mechanisms to combat human trafficking and assist victims
• Building a centralized database on trafficking networks and rehabilitation programs
• Enhancing cooperation against transnational environmental crimes
• Sharing judicial experiences and best practices
• Establishing a regional legal training network

Focus on Justice, Transparency, and Regional Security

The Iranian delegation emphasized the importance of strengthening human rights, judicial transparency in anti-corruption efforts, and promoting economic security through legal frameworks. Proposals also focused on cooperation in global food security and public health sectors.

Chief Justice Mohseni-Ejei stated that countries striving for global justice, peace, and sustainable security must intensify cooperation and resist external pressures. He underscored the need for SCO members to maintain close ties across legal, political, economic, and security spheres.

Consensus on Enhancing Judicial Cooperation

Delegates at the summit agreed that robust legal collaboration is essential for overcoming shared regional challenges. As the upcoming chair, Iran committed to guiding future dialogues to identify legal threats and shape joint solutions.