On 26 May 2019, SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov met with Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and President of the All-China Women's Federation Shen Yueyue on the sidelines of the International Medical Innovation and Cooperation Forum in the city of Fangchenggang (26-29 May 2019). The officials discussed the prospects for cooperation in practical terms.
Having welcomed Mr Norov to the meeting, Shen Yueyue noted the dynamic development of the SCO, which has become an important platform for maintaining regional security. She emphasised the role of the SCO Secretariat in coordinating diverse cooperation.
Having thanked Shen Yueyue for the invitation to take part in the forum, Mr Norov noted that the SCO emphasises cooperation in healthcare, including efforts to counter infectious diseases. He told Shen Yueyue that in conformity with the inter-governmental agreement signed in Astana on 15 June 2011, the SCO has developed sustainable bilateral and multilateral cooperation between its member states in this area. He also noted that on 22 May of this year the foreign ministers of the SCO member states approved a draft plan for events on healthcare cooperation within the SCO for 2019-2021. It is expected to be endorsed by the SCO summit next June in Bishkek. The Secretary-General emphasized that the entire agenda of the forum in Fangchenggang fully corresponds to the content of this plan.
Vladimir Norov noted the personal contribution of Shen Yueyue to the protection of the rights of women and children in China as the President of the All-China Women's Federation. He praised the federation for drafting social programmes and cooperation with international organisations on gender policy and emphasised its close work with the SCO Secretariat, in part, on the holding of the first SCO Women's Forum in Beijing on 16-17 May 2018. Mr Norov said the Second Women's Forum confirmed the growing role of women in social and political development.
The officials also discussed the further promotion of the people's diplomacy in the SCO member states, following the example of the SCO Centre for People's Diplomacy in Uzbekistan that was established at the initiative of its President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
In conclusion, Shen Yueyue invited Mr Norov to take part in the opening of an exhibition of children's drawings in Beijing on 29 May 2019.
The All-China Women's Federation was established in March 1949. It deals with the entire range of topical women's and children's issues from the protection of rights and the development of social programmes to cooperation with international organisations on gender issues. It has a vast network of international ties and is involved in the exchange of experience with almost 700 women's and children's organisations from 164 countries.