Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 20-21 May 2024, a regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states was held in Astana. The event was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov.

The heads of foreign affairs agencies noted the significant and productive work of the SCO aimed at ensuring regional security, stability and well-being of peoples. It was emphasized that in the current difficult geopolitical conditions, the authority and role of the SCO in international politics continue to strengthen.

SCO Secretary General Zhang Ming noted in his speech that the Organization not only functions stably, but is also strengthening its activities in various directions thanks to the ongoing modernization process. He expressed confidence that the SCO will continue to play an important role in maintaining global security and assist member states in the fight against the “three forces of evil.” Zhang Ming also informed about the work of the SCO Secretariat in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian and administrative-legal fields.

One of the key issues on the agenda was the discussion of preparations and content for the upcoming Astana SCO summit, which will be held on 3-4 July 2024. Topics and documents were approved for consideration by the leaders of the member states, including the draft Astana Declaration, the SCO initiative “On World Unity for a Just Peace and Harmony,” the draft Road Map for the development of interaction with dialogue partners and a number of other documents.

An exchange of views took place on the development of cooperation in such areas as environmental protection, humanitarian and cultural exchanges, transport connectivity, food, economic and energy security.

An agreement was reached to continue increasing cooperation in ensuring regional security and combating terrorism, extremism, separatism, drug trafficking, cybercrime and other threats.

Particular attention was paid to the process of expansion of the SCO, in particular the completion of the procedure for admitting the Republic of Belarus to the Organization.

Events within the framework of the “Year of Ecology” in 2024 were also discussed.

Following the meeting, a report by the SCO Secretary-General on the work of the Secretariat for the period from May 2023 to May 2024 was approved.