"We are preparing a relevant provision which is expected to be discussed and confirmed at the fourth meeting of the SCO members’ emergency situations ministers in the summer of 2009," Aksyonov told journalists on the sidelines of a conference of experts to prepare the fourth meeting in Astana on Tuesday.

"In my opinion, an emergency center will become an effective weapon to deal with emergencies in the regions of the SCO countries and in Asia and Pacific, as well," he said.

Aksyonov said the center might be based in the Asian part of the continent.

"But then again the center will probably not have just one base. Part of the forces and means could be located in Russia and the other part in Kazakhstan. This is being negotiated now," he said.

The Shanghai Cooperation organization comprises Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.