On August 31, 2025, in Tianjin, PRC, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev held a meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, who arrived in the PRC to participate in the “SCO Plus” meeting.
The SCO Secretary-General emphasized that the SCO member states regard the UN as the main universal multilateral organization and a key partner in supporting international peace and security, strengthening global sustainable development, and countering new challenges and threats. He expressed readiness to develop cooperation between the SCO Secretariat and UN specialized agencies, in particular through the implementation of mutually beneficial projects and the organization of joint events.
The UN Secretary-General, in turn, congratulated Nurlan Yermekbayev on assuming the post of SCO Secretary-General, wished him success in fulfilling this high mission, and noted the growing positive dynamics of joint work between the two organizations, giving a favorable assessment of the prospects for their further cooperation.
Nurlan Yermekbayev also informed about his plans to participate in the UN General Assembly and related events in New York, about the promotion of the UNGA Resolution on cooperation between the UN and the SCO, as well as preparations for the upcoming meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council.
The parties expressed mutual interest in further exchanges of views on regional and global issues.
The meeting was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
On December 2, 2004, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution No. 59/48 granting the SCO observer status at the UN.
On April 5, 2010, a Joint Declaration on Cooperation between the SCO and UN Secretariats was signed.