Key Events of the Past Week (July 20 — July 26)

🇺🇳On July 24, the UN Security Council began closed-door discussions and preliminary straw polls to select the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. The process is scheduled to continue until July 30.

🇺🇸🇸🇦The United States and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to support the development of the Kingdom’s peaceful civilian nuclear programme.

🇷🇺🇺🇸Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held bilateral talks, discussing key issues on the international agenda and the state of Russia–U.S. relations.

🇬🇧Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveiled the composition of the United Kingdom’s new government following the formation of his Cabinet.

🇨🇳Foreign ministers of China and ASEAN member states met in Manila to discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and preparations for upcoming multilateral meetings.

🇬🇦🇫🇷President of Gabon Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema paid a state visit to Paris, where he held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on bilateral cooperation and investment.

🇰🇬The Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation convened in Kyrgyzstan, with participants discussing regional security, economic cooperation, and preparations for the upcoming SCO Summit.