Ma Xiaowei, minister of China's National Health Commission, participates in the fourth meeting of ministers of health of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members via video link on June 30. [Photo/nhc.gov.cn]

The fourth meeting of ministers of health of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members was held via video link on June 30.

The minister of health of Tajikistan, which holds the rotating presidency, chaired the meeting. Health ministers of the SCO member states, the SCO secretary-general, and representatives of international organizations such as the World Health Organization attended the meeting online.

Ma Xiaowei, minister of China's National Health Commission, said in a video speech that since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and other SCO member states have worked together to help each other, and have contributed “SCO strength" to international anti-pandemic cooperation through practical actions.

Ma also briefed the participants on the latest progress of China's COVID-19 prevention and control efforts and its involvement in international anti-pandemic collaboration.

He called on all parties to continue to adhere to multilateralism, deepen anti-pandemic cooperation, oppose politicization and stigmatization of COVID-19, and strengthen the construction of the health system to ensure equity and accessibility of vaccines, reagents and drugs and to jointly build a SCO health community for all.

All parties expressed their willingness to further promote cooperation in COVID-19 prevention and control and the research and development of vaccines and drugs. The meeting adopted a joint statement and a major action plan for health cooperation (2022-2024).