Representatives of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, the sides discussed cooperation in the sphere of culture and art, exchanged opinion on realization of the agreement on cooperation in culture among the SCO states and other agreements.

The sides expressed mutual intend to further develop cultural cooperation within the SCO and active spread of traditions and customs of the people of the SCO member states.

Ministers called for further improving cooperation with observer states and dialogue partners of the SCO in the sphere of culture and art both in bilateral and multilateral formats.

They also agreed to pay attention to developing bilateral and multilateral cooperation in studying and preserving cultural heritage of the SCO region, including along the Great Silk Road.

The sides will cooperate in preventing theft and illegal import and export of cultural property, creation of databases and registers of monuments of architecture, training of specialists in the field of civilization and cultural heritage and restoration of works of art and other areas of mutual interest.

SCO member states also considered organization of various art, theatric and other festivals.

The sides also agreed to hold next Meeting of Ministers of Culture of the member states of the SCO in Astana (Kazakhstan) on 22 June 2017.