DUSHANBE, 02.01.2019 (NIAT Khovar) — Rashid Alimov’s term as the Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) completed at the closing of 2018.

Alimov had a meeting with the State Councillor and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi at the Zhongnanhai residence in Beijing.

The head of the Chinese diplomacy spoke highly of Alimov’s performance as the  secretary general of the SCO.

“China greatly appreciates your work as Secretary General. During this period the organization reached a whole new level in its development. It is under your tenure that historic decisions to accept new members were taken and important summits took place, including the Qingdao Summit, which opened new horizons for multifaceted cooperation,” Wang Yi said.

«It is thanks to your efforts and creative ideas that the SCO raised awareness of its operations and enhanced its profile on the international stage. If we were to grade your performance, we would definitely give you an excellent mark,» Yi added.

Yi went on to say that in the rapidly changing and unpredictable international environment “the SCO serves as a model for building interstate relations of a new kind with a solid foundation provided by the SCO Charter, while the Shanghai Spirit, which guides its activities, is consistent with the realities of today’s world.”

Rashid Alimov and Wang Yi

The Chinese minister expressed his confidence in the future of the organization in terms of developing and unleashing its potential, expressing hope that the SCO member states will continue to work together in countering challenges and threats and overcoming difficulties.

Alimov briefly informed Yi about the activities and achievements of the SCO Secretariat over the three-year period, as well as proposals and initiatives on security, economics, culture, sports, media outreach, women’s and youth movements supported by SCO member countries and also shared some new plans and proposals that are in the pipeline.

Alimov expressed his deep gratitude to China as the host country for its trust and all-around assistance, as well as for supporting him during his tenure as the SCO Secretary General.

The meeting took place in a friendly and warm atmosphere.

Uzbekistan’s Vladimir Norov assumed his post as the Secretary General of the SCO on Tuesday.

Vladimir Norov