UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, early on Monday, 31 August, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting.
On the morning of Monday, 31 October, the Secretary-General held a meeting with the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zhaparov. They discussed cooperation between the United Nations and the Kyrgyz Republic, including on climate change, environment and socioeconomic development, as well as peace and security in the context of Kyrgyzstan’s upcoming membership in the Security Council for 2027–2028.
Later, he held a meeting with President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon. They discussed the cooperation between the UN and Tajikistan and regional developments, including the situation in Afghanistan.
Following that, he held a meeting with h the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. They discussed cooperation between the United Nations and Uzbekistan and regional developments. The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for all diplomatic initiatives of Uzbekistan leading to peace and stability in Central Asia.
In the evening, the Secretary-General attended the official opening ceremony of the sixth World Nomad Games in Bishkek.
On Tuesday 1 September, the Secretary-General attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus meeting, under the theme “The United Nations as a Key Element of a Fair World Order: The Contribution of the SCO Plus States to the Formation of a Multipolar World”.
In his remarks, he said that the world is becoming increasingly multipolar, which he describes as a positive development that needs to be strengthened. Multipolarity, he added, is a condition for justice in global governance and international relations, and the best for supporting effective multilateralism and for a United Nations that serves all without double standards.
The Secretary-General underscored the United Nations’ long-standing collaboration with the Shanghai Cooperation Council. He identified areas where this partnership could be deepened and where global governance is at stake, including partnership in the area of global security.
On the margin of the meetings, the Secretary-General met with the Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Võ Thị Ánh Xuân. The Secretary-General expressed appreciation for the strong cooperation between Viet Nam and the United Nations. He commended Viet Nam’s efforts to strengthen trust and international cooperation and its leadership in the green transition.
He also held a meeting with the President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian. He stressed the urgent need to resolve the conflict through dialogue and negotiations, with full respect for international law, including international navigational rights and freedoms in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
The Secretary-General departed Bishkek on Wednesday, 2 September.