On April 20, 2025, the ecological campaign "SCO Family Friendship Forest" took place at the Beijing Wildlife Park. The event was organized by the SCO Committee on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The event was held in honor of the SCO Year of Sustainable Development – 2025 under China’s chairmanship and was joined by representatives of diplomatic missions, Secretariat staff, and their families. Undoubtedly, the most enthusiastic participants were the children. A total of 100 trees were planted, symbolizing strong bonds of friendship, mutual respect, and solidarity among the peoples of SCO member states.
SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev addressed the participants with a welcoming speech. He emphasized the importance of such initiatives in strengthening humanitarian cooperation and environmental responsibility:
This event reflects the humanitarian mission of our Organization, its commitment to sustainable development, harmony, and mutual understanding among peoples. It is symbolic that it is children planting trees today — trees that will grow along with them, becoming part of the green future of the SCO.
Beijing Deputy Mayor Wen Xian expressed confidence that the Friendship Forest — strong and flourishing — would serve as a bridge between the youth of the SCO’s "big family" and as a testament to joint efforts to build our common home on this planet, where humans live in harmony with nature.
Speaking to guests, Cui Li, Deputy Chair of the Chinese SCO Committee on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, highlighted that the promotion of ecological civilization is a shared goal of the Organization's member states.
Deputy Head of China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Li Yunqing, in turn, expressed sincere gratitude to all parties for supporting greening efforts, emphasizing the collective efforts of SCO countries in environmental protection and green development.
Cui Guoze, Counselor of the Department of Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, stressed that the youth planting friendship trees contribute to the closeness of peoples of the Organization’s member states.
The tree planting took place in a lively and cheerful atmosphere, uniting representatives of different generations in the cause of caring for nature. Children enthusiastically felt themselves part of a major project, and for many, participating in the planting of the "SCO Family Friendship Forest" became their first experience in environmental volunteering.
At the end of the event, participants received certificates confirming their contribution to greening and advancing environmental cooperation within the framework of the Organization.