On 16 November 2020, the SCO Secretariat hosted a meeting between SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov and the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the People's Republic of China, Moin ul Haque.
The Secretary-General congratulated the Ambassador on his appointment to the new post and wished him every success in his professional career.
Vladimir Norov noted the contribution that Pakistan, as a member state, is making to strengthen the SCO's foothold as well as the country's growing interest in cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
The Secretary-General commented on the results of the SCO Heads of State Council meeting held on 10 November 2020 via videoconference and chaired by Russia. He particularly emphasised the initiatives proposed by Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, in particular, to set up the SCO Special Working Group on Poverty Reduction, the long term SCO youth strategy and development of scholarship programmes in science and technology.
The parties underscored the need for strong coordinated action to implement the decisions taken in the interests of realising the potential of the SCO.
In turn, the Ambassador of Pakistan praised the role of the SCO as an organisation committed to the principles of multilateralism and dedicated to expanding international mutually beneficial cooperation while taking into account the interests of the member states.
Ambassador Moin ul Haque expressed support for the Secretary-General's initiatives to further strengthen trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as effective interaction with the SCO Secretariat.
During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on current issues on the international agenda and on the further development and strengthening of multifaceted cooperation within the SCO.
Moin ul Haque previously served as the Pakistani Ambassador to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco, as well as the country's Permanent Representative to UNESCO.