At the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of prioritizing development and security within the organization. Speaking on September 1, Xi advocated for enhanced dialogue, cooperation, and regional stability, urging the SCO to foster shared prosperity and a more secure regional environment. He also called on member states to push for fairer global governance while resisting confrontation and unilateral actions.
Reflecting on the SCO’s 25-year journey, Xi underscored the principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, and respect for diverse civilizations as foundational to the organization’s success. He proposed that the SCO intensify cooperation in various areas, including trade, investment, connectivity, energy, and resources. Furthermore, Xi recommended expanding partnerships in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and green industries, to adapt to the evolving global landscape.
On the security front, Xi urged the SCO to bolster efforts against both traditional and nontraditional threats. He highlighted the necessity for a coordinated approach to maintain regional stability and expressed China’s readiness to collaborate with other members to advance a shared, comprehensive, and sustainable security strategy.
The Bishkek summit marked a significant milestone as SCO leaders endorsed the organization’s progress over the past quarter-century. They collectively emphasized the need for heightened cooperation to ensure regional peace, stability, and prosperity. The culmination of the summit saw the adoption of the Bishkek Declaration and a series of agreements focusing on security, economic, cultural, and organizational cooperation, reinforcing the SCO’s commitment to a collaborative regional future.