SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov had a meeting with Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova at the UNESCO office in New York City.

They discussed cooperation prospects between the SCO and UNESCO in the cultural, humanitarian and education areas.

In view of the SCO's solid foundation for strengthening mutual understanding, bringing cultures closer together and their mutual enrichment, as well as spreading information and knowledge about traditions and customs of the peoples in the SCO countries, systematic joint efforts with UNESCO are regarded as a key element in developing and enhancing relations between the SCO and the specialised agencies of UNESCO.

"The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation highly values UNESCO's unique contribution to the coordination of international cooperation in education, science, culture and communication. UNESCO also plays a major role in establishing close civilisational contacts between peoples," SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov said.

"The SCO's active efforts in the cultural and humanitarian sphere, in education, as well as the presence of numerous cultural heritage objects in the SCO countries complement the key activities and the UNESCO's mandate which, in turn, makes the SCO a very important and needed partner for us," UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said.

The parties agreed to maintain regular contacts between the two organisations' secretariats for the purpose of developing mutually beneficial collaboration.

The conversation was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere.