Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 8 February 2022, SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming held an online meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov.

Vladimir Norov congratulated Zhang Ming on his appointment as SCO Secretary General and wished him great success in this responsible activity. He familiarized the SCO Secretary General with the comprehensive work carried out by the Uzbek side to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation within the SCO, informed about the measures taken to successfully hold a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO Member States in September 2022 in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The importance of the coordinating role of the SCO Secretariat in the content of ministerial meetings and the summit, the coordination of relevant draft documents and the promotion of relevant initiatives was emphasized.

Zhang Ming noted that, with the support of the member states, he intends to make every effort to ensure the prosperity of the Organization, including continuing the creative work, the foundations of which were laid by Vladimir Norov as head of the SCO Secretariat. He emphasized that at present the successful holding of events within the framework of the Uzbek chairmanship in the SCO is the main priority of the Secretariat. Noting the importance of thorough preparation of the substantive part of the next summit of the Organization, the Secretary General declared the readiness of the Secretariat to make every effort to promote constructive initiatives and creative ideas of various parties.

An exchange of views took place on the trends developing in the SCO region, the role of the Organization in ensuring regional security and stability, as well as modalities for intensifying joint efforts in the interests of effectively realizing the combined potential of the SCO countries.