On 10 July 2023, after an SCO observer mission completed its work at the presidential election in Uzbekistan, SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming met with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev thanked the SCO Secretary-General for sending an observer mission, commended the organisation’s growing international influence, and noted that the presence of an SCO observer mission at the presidential election was evidence of close attention being paid to the future of Uzbekistan and its people and support for the country. He added that this was of major significance to the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The President also congratulated the SCO Secretary-General on the success of the SCO Heads of State Council meeting in New Delhi and reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s resolve to further increase its involvement in all aspects of cooperation in the SCO space and in the implementation of initiatives put forth by the member states, including Uzbekistan, as well as to expand its contribution to the stability and development of the SCO region.
Zhang Ming congratulated Shavkat Mirziyoyev on his landslide victory, noting that it was evidence of the people’s trust in the president and support for the policy of reforms and development. The SCO Secretary-General expressed confidence that Uzbekistan would prosper and improve under the president’s guidance and would add energy to life in the SCO countries. Zhang Ming said that as secretary-general he would work together with the member states towards sustainable implementation of the mutual agreements and initiatives advanced by the leaders of the nine states in the interests of all nations in the region.