The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit will take place in Bishkek in August 2026, where Kyrgyzstan will host the leaders of the member states. In anticipation of this important event, the Kabar agency is exploring the role of the SCO and the significance of interaction between states.
The SCO was founded on June 15, 2001, to develop multilateral cooperation in the region, as political scientist Sheradil Baktygulov noted.
He emphasized that Kyrgyzstan holds a significant position in Central Asia, and its opinion always carries weight. This underscores the equality of all members of the organization.
“Decisions in the SCO are made by consensus. If even one country is against, the issue is sent back for revision. Kyrgyzstan, as one of the founding countries, participates in a wide range of issues, from security to economic integration and cultural exchange,” he added.A decision was made to establish the SCO Development Bank, which will focus on financing large-scale infrastructure and investment projects. To date, the SCO unites the economies of countries with a total volume of about $30 trillion, representing a new approach in international relations.
“Joint work, including intelligence sharing and joint exercises, has helped prevent hundreds of terrorist attacks, creating an effective security system. The economic component is constantly growing, contributing to growth and mutual investments. Trade volume between China and other SCO members reached $2.3 trillion, and Chinese investments amounted to over $84 billion. A multi-level transport network has been developed, with the length of international highways within the SCO exceeding 14,000 kilometers, and over 110,000 trips have been made along the China-Europe railway route,” Baktygulov noted.According to the political scientist, over 25 years of membership in the SCO, Kyrgyzstan has initiated numerous projects, and Sheradil Baktygulov highlighted several of them.
In 2000-2001, Kyrgyzstan proposed creating a sustainable anti-terrorism mechanism, which was launched on January 1, 2004.
Since 2023, Kyrgyzstan has put forward an initiative to establish a Center for Combating International Organized Crime within the SCO.
The International Issyk-Kul Marathon of the SCO was held for the first time on May 11, 2019, and its results were sent to the Federation of Athletics of Kyrgyzstan for the international organization World Athletics (IAAF).
“During its chairmanship in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in 2025-2026, Kyrgyzstan will present a number of important initiatives related to security, the economy, digitalization, and ecology, aimed at strengthening the country's role in the organization and developing regional cooperation,” said the political scientist.
Work is also planned to improve the Barskoon-Bedel-Ak-Suu road and modernize the Bedel border checkpoint.
In the field of digital technologies, Kyrgyzstan proposed to hold a youth digital forum of the SCO and create a unified digital space for business. The "Smart Customs" project, which accelerates customs procedures, is being successfully implemented. In the humanitarian sphere, the World Nomad Games are planned, and the city of Cholpon-Ata will be declared the tourist and cultural center of the SCO for 2025-2026.
During its chairmanship, Kyrgyzstan intends to put forward significant initiatives in all areas and actively work on their implementation, which will contribute to strengthening cooperation within the SCO.
