BEIJING, 20 March, 2021 (TON) As the world celebrates Nowruz, the International Nowruz Day a symbol of peace, friendship and mutual understanding, was also marked at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretariat within the framework of celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the SCO.

The heads of the SCO family countries’ diplomatic missions, Chinese guests, representatives of international and regional organizations, partners of the SCO Secretariat and members of the press attended the event.

National cuisines, exhibitions, arts and crafts were presented by the SCO countries’ diplomatic missions.

The program also included folklore elements such as traditional spring games and ancient customs and rituals, concert of children’s dance groups, folk instrumental music and folk songs.
An opening ceremony of the SCO Friendship Pavilion was held at the SCO Secretariat designed to celebrate the unity and friendship of the SCO countries.

UNESCO added the event in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009, however, on 23 February, 2010, the celebration of the International Day of Nowruz on 20 March was declared as the 64th session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 64/253.