The United Nations is committed to interaction with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the UN Deputy Secretary-General Linn Pasko said on 15 August following talks with the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Ednan Karabayev.

Linn Pasko noted that the world was full of many threats and we needed to protect ourselves against them. "Regional organisations such as the SCO may well take on this duty", he stressed.

According to the UN’s deputy chief, as far back as 2005 it was decided that the United Nations should launch such interaction, the SCO website said.

Currently the organisation is cooperating with the African Union, ASEAN, the League of Arab Nations and the European Union. "The interaction between the UN and the SCO is a normal process", Linn Pasko concluded.

On 16 August the UN Deputy Secretary-General will take part in the Bishkek summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as a guest of honour.