On 2 November 2019, SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov met with Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Robert Tene in Tashkent, who took part in the SCO Heads of Government Council meeting.
The officials discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the SCO and ASEAN.
The SCO Secretary-General informed Mr Tene about cooperation within the SCO in trade, the economy, culture and education, and about the documents signed at the Tashkent meeting of the SCO Heads of Government Council.
Vladimir Norov emphasised the importance of expanding cooperation between the SCO and ASEAN in such vital areas as combatting terrorism and drug trafficking, e-trade, logistics, education and youth issues.
The Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN noted that his participation in the SCO Heads of Government Council meeting was a good opportunity to learn more about the SCO operations in the economy, trade, culture and education.
He praised the SCO's efforts and growing engagement with international and regional organisations, and agreed with the SCO Secretary-General's opinion that there is an enormous potential for mutually beneficial cooperation.
The parties also talked about the two organisation's secretariats holding joint events.
The SCO and ASEAN secretariats signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2005.