On 16 May, during his visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan, SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming met with Acting Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov in Tashkent. The two officials discussed the potential for boosting the SCO's effectiveness in ensuring regional security and sustainable economic development, as well as expanding ties in culture and education.
Special attention was given to the implementation of the agenda for Uzbekistan's SCO Presidency in 2021 and 2022 in the context of preparations for the SCO Heads of State Council meeting in Samarkand. The two officials touched on the issue of SCO expansion, in particular, the process of accepting the Islamic Republic of Iran as an SCO full member, as well as the prospects for signing new memoranda on granting the SCO dialogue partner status and other memoranda with several international organisations.
The discussion on developments in the region and around the world, and the situation in Afghanistan led the two officials to the conclusion that, considering the ever-increasing geopolitical turbulence that is radically distorting international relations, the SCO member states need to step up their efforts to consistently consolidate their organisation, enhance the solidarity of its member countries, and increase mutual trust and support.
The SCO Secretary-General awarded Vladimir Norov with a medal, The 20th Anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, for his contribution to the making of the SCO and its development.