When leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) gather in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in August 2026, they will not only attend another annual summit. They will mark the 25th anniversary of a regional cooperation platform that has grown stronger and more influential on the global stage.

Founded in 2001 to address regional security concerns, the SCO has evolved into a broad-based organization covering security, economic cooperation, connectivity, digital development and cultural exchanges. Its 25th anniversary comes at a time when countries across the world are facing growing uncertainties, making regional cooperation and stability increasingly important.

For many observers, the SCO's biggest achievement over the past 25 years is not simply its expansion in size, but its demonstration that countries with different political systems, economic models and cultural traditions can find common ground through dialogue and cooperation.

Experts said the upcoming Bishkek summit will provide a new opportunity for member states to strengthen consensus, align development strategies and explore fresh areas of cooperation, helping bring more stability and certainty to the region and beyond.

Kyrgyzstan's 2026 agenda

After taking over the rotating presidency following last year's Tianjin summit, Kyrgyzstan chose the theme: "25 Years of the SCO: Together for Sustainable Peace, Development, and Prosperity."

Over the past year, Bishkek has been actively preparing for the summit, hosting dozens of high-level meetings and related events. These gatherings have covered a wide range of topics, from finance and trade to cultural dialogue and media cooperation.

So what does Kyrgyzstan hope to achieve?

According to SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev, the country's priorities include strengthening regional stability, boosting economic cooperation, improving transportation links, accelerating digital transformation and expanding cultural exchanges.

Among the key proposals are establishing an SCO development bank to unlock greater economic potential, building new transportation corridors to better connect member countries, and creating stronger mechanisms for responding to climate-related and emergency challenges.

Kyrgyzstan also hopes to put young people and digital cooperation higher on the SCO agenda, including through proposals such as an SCO Youth Digital Forum.

25 years of development

The SCO's transformation over a quarter of a century has been remarkable.

When it was established on June 15, 2001, the organization was mainly focused on building trust and cooperation among neighboring countries. Today, its agenda has expanded into almost every major area of regional development.

The SCO now includes 10 member states, namely China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus, as well as two observer states, Afghanistan and Mongolia, and 15 dialogue partners – Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bahrain, Cambodia, Egypt, Kuwait, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates and Laos.

Together, SCO members represent a significant share of the world's population, land area and economic output, giving the organization growing influence in regional and global affairs.

According to official data, the combined economic output of SCO members had approached $30 trillion by September 2025, accounting for roughly one-third of the global economy.

But the SCO's development has not been driven only by expansion. Its distinctive feature lies in its cooperation model: countries work together without forming military alliances or targeting third parties.

Former SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov said the organization's core appeal comes from its principle of equality, with decisions made through consultation and dialogue rather than by one side imposing its will on others.

China's role in SCO

China, as one of the founding members, has been closely involved in the SCO's development from the beginning.

China has played an important role in shaping the organization's principles, cooperation mechanisms and development agenda. For example, in 2001, at the first SCO summit, China proposed the "Shanghai Spirit," which advocates mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and the pursuit of common development. Over the years, the "Shanghai Spirit" has become a guiding principle for cooperation among SCO members.

In 2007, China also proposed the signing of the Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation among SCO member states, which provided a legal foundation for lasting friendly relations among members. Moreover, China has also promoted the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, as well as the vision of building an SCO community with a shared future.

Chinese experts said the SCO's model of partnership – characterized by cooperation without alliances, confrontation or targeting third parties – offers an alternative approach to multilateral cooperation, and shows an example of how countries with different backgrounds can work together on shared challenges.

China has also played a key role in promoting shared development among SCO member states. In China's view, development and security are closely interconnected, as poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment can become sources of instability. Guided by this vision, China has actively promoted practical cooperation within the SCO, including infrastructure development, trade, investment and connectivity projects.

For instance, China has worked to connect the Belt and Road Initiative with SCO cooperation, helping expand economic ties and infrastructure links among member states. In 2014, China supported the signing of the SCO Agreement on Facilitation of International Road Transportation, which aimed to improve regional connectivity and make cross-border transportation more efficient.

At the 2025 Tianjin summit, China announced a series of new cooperation proposals, including platforms for energy, green industries and the digital economy, as well as centers for scientific innovation, higher education and vocational training. China also proposed implementing 100 "small and beautiful" livelihood projects in SCO countries and providing 2 billion yuan (about $281 million) in grant assistance.

After 25 years of development, the SCO has become a comprehensive regional cooperation platform. Its experience has shown that countries with different systems and cultures can overcome differences and build cooperation based on shared interests.

As Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Liu Jiangping recently wrote, the SCO has become a vivid example of a new type of international relations. The upcoming Bishkek summit, he said, is expected to inject greater stability and certainty into an increasingly complex international environment.