On 11 May, SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, who was in the Kyrgyz Republic to attend the opening ceremony of the SCO Issyk-Kul International Marathon, met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev.
Mr Japarov welcomed Mr Zhang Ming and thanked him for taking part in the SCO International Issyk-Kul Marathon. He pointed out that his country attaches great importance to participation in SCO activities and is ready for further deepening exchanges and contacts with the SCO member states in various fields. He outlined Kyrgyzstan’s approaches to cooperation within the SCO on security, economy and trade, as well as in the humanitarian sphere, stressed the need to put into practice the initiative of establishing a Centre for Combating International Organised Crime in Bishkek, to create an effective financial mechanism within the SCO, particularly the SCO Development Bank and Development Fund, and to promote and implement the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project as soon as possible.
The President stressed that the Kyrgyz Republic makes efforts to properly implement the agreements reached within the SCO, and is active in implementing the decision of the Heads of State Council to improve the SCO’s activity.
Zhang Ming thanked the President for the warm and friendly welcome. He informed him about the status of cooperation in a variety of areas within the SCO framework and the Secretariat's work. He stated that the current international situation created a need to enhance cohesion and mutual trust within the Organisation, to adapt it to the new realities by improving its own mechanisms. The SCO Secretary-General spoke highly of Kyrgyzstan’s proactive position and contribution to promoting interaction within the SCO framework. He stressed that the Secretariat would invariably support the implementation of the relevant decisions and mutual understandings by the member states. Zhang Ming also wished the President a successful meeting of the Heads of Government Council in 2023 to give a new impetus to the practical cooperation within the SCO.
On the same day, Secretary-General Zhang Ming met with Jeenbek Kulubaev. They exchanged views on the current situation and priority areas for cooperation within the SCO.