During 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 need for the organization to prioritize development and security. He stressed the importance of fostering dialogue, cooperation, and regional stability among member countries. Xi advocated for the promotion of shared prosperity and the creation of a more secure regional environment, urging members to stand against unilateralism and support a fair global governance system.
Highlighting the SCO’s achievements over its 25-year history, Xi underscored the principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, and respect for diverse civilizations as foundational to the organization. He called for enhanced cooperation in various sectors, including trade, investment, connectivity, energy, and resources. Additionally, Xi encouraged the expansion of collaboration in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and green industries.
On the topic of security, President Xi called for coordinated efforts among SCO members to address both traditional and nontraditional threats, thereby bolstering regional stability. He emphasized China’s readiness to work collaboratively with other members to foster a common, comprehensive, and sustainable security approach. Xi’s remarks underscored the need for a united front in addressing various challenges that could affect regional peace and stability.
The summit in Bishkek saw SCO leaders endorsing the organization’s progress over the past quarter-century, while also emphasizing the need for increased cooperation to protect regional peace, stability, and prosperity. The gathering resulted in the adoption of the Bishkek Declaration and a series of agreements focused on enhancing cooperation in security, economic, cultural, and organizational domains. These developments reflect a collective commitment by the SCO to advance its objectives and strengthen its influence in the region.