The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is holding its 2026 summit in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. 

Kuat Akizhanov, deputy director of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Institute, says the SCO is guided by cooperation without a single ideological template – a platform for countries to coordinate complementary resources and pursue development on their own terms. 

The organization builds trust and promotes institutionalized dialogue, he adds. 

Dr. Akizhanov previously headed the Economic Research Department at the Institute of Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.