From September 22 to 27, 2025 in New York, the SCO Secretariat delegation led by Secretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev engaged in a series of high-level meetings during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The visit positioned the SCO Secretariat at the centre of discussions on development, security and youth policy during the assembly’s high-level week.
The Secretary General held bilateral talks with FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu to discuss cooperation on food security and sustainable agriculture, and met with Acting Under-Secretary-General Alexander Zouev on counter-terrorism coordination. The delegation also conferred with Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua of UN DESA on economic and social affairs priorities relevant to SCO members.
At a high-level meeting marking the 30th anniversary of the World Youth Action Program, Maryam Bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad of Qatar addressed youth engagement and empowerment, while the Secretariat took part in a separate event focused on primary health care and universal access. These engagements underline the SCO Secretariat’s focus on social development issues that resonate across member states, including Pakistan.
The delegation carried forward institutional dialogue by holding the third round of consultations with the United Nations Department of Political Affairs and Peace-building, and met with Bahraini Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Khaled Youssef Al-Jalahma to discuss regional political concerns and cooperation. The series of meetings at UNGA 80 reinforced the SCO Secretariat’s diplomatic outreach and its efforts to coordinate with UN agencies on shared priorities.
