Rashid Alimov: The SCO is a reliable partner of the UN in maintaining peace and security in Eurasia. SCO international activities discussed in Moscow

On 12 July 2018, SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov attended consultations on the SCO's international activities. The consultations were held in Moscow between the deputy foreign ministers of the SCO member states.

Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Lavrov addressed those present with welcoming remarks.

The deputy foreign ministers held an in-depth discussion on promoting and strengthening the SCO's ties with international organisations, primarily the UN and its specialised agencies, as well as with the SCO observer states and dialogue partners.

"The Qingdao Declaration has set out the goal of building up cooperation between the SCO and the UN and has pointed out the importance of increasing cooperation with the SCO observer states and dialogue partners and enhancing contacts with other international and regional organisations," Rashid Alimov noted.

"The expanded SCO remains an influential member of the current system of international relations. Moreover, its responsibilities have increased on the regional and global levels. In other words, the SCO has acquired a global profile," the SCO Secretary-General said.

He added that "the SCO has always viewed the UN as the main international platform for dealing with global issues. This explains our desire to strengthen and deepen cooperation between the SCO and the UN and its specialised agencies. Our high level of interaction with the UN Secretariat, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), ESCAP and UNESCO offers conditions for deepening cooperation," Rashid Alimov emphasised, adding that the SCO is a reliable partner and supporter of the UN on the vast Eurasian continent.

The SCO Secretary-General said that over the 17 years since its establishment, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has created a system of observer states and dialogue partners and signed agreements on cooperation or mutual understanding with 10 respected international organisations, including the CIS, the CSTO, ASEAN, the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), the UN Secretariat, UNODC, ESCAP, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and UNESCO.

Rashid Alimov said in this context that "the SCO Secretariat is working consistently within the framework of the agreements signed and is trying to give a practical dimension to these documents, with active support from the SCO member states."

The consultations were held in a friendly and partner-like atmosphere.