SCO Secretary-General Arrives in Kazan for Russia-ASEAN Summit

On June 17, 2026, at the invitation of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Nurlan Yermekbayev arrived in Kazan to participate in the Russia-ASEAN Summit.

Nurlan Yermekbayev took part in the official opening ceremony of the summit held at the Tatar State Academic Theater.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin personally welcomed the SCO Secretary-General and other distinguished guests, and delivered remarks at the official reception. The Head of State noted that the summit is being held under the sign of the 35th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations and has brought together leaders - heads of government, leading politicians and statesmen - from all 11 ASEAN countries.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretariats of the SCO and ASEAN was signed on April 21, 2005 in Jakarta. The document identifies counter-terrorism, combating drug and arms trafficking, as well as economy, finance, energy and tourism as priority areas of cooperation.