At the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on September 1, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of prioritizing development and security within the organization. He advocated for enhanced dialogue and cooperation to foster regional stability. President Xi urged the SCO to focus on shared prosperity while working towards a safer regional environment, and he called for supporting equitable global governance and resisting unilateralism and confrontation.
Highlighting the accomplishments of the SCO over its 25-year history, Xi underscored the principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, and respect for diverse civilizations that have guided the organization. He advocated for increased cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, connectivity, energy, and resources. Additionally, Xi identified emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and green industries as key areas for expanding collaboration among member states.
On security matters, Xi called for a coordinated approach among SCO members to tackle both traditional and nontraditional threats, aiming to bolster regional stability. He expressed China’s willingness to collaborate with fellow member countries to promote a common, comprehensive, and sustainable security strategy.
The summit in Bishkek saw SCO leaders endorsing the organization’s progress over the past 25 years and emphasizing the need for greater cooperation to maintain regional peace, stability, and prosperity. The gathering concluded with the adoption of the Bishkek Declaration and several agreements focused on enhancing security, economic, cultural, and organizational cooperation within the region.