Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have adopted the Bishkek Declaration, pledging to deepen cooperation across security, trade and technology as the regional bloc marked its 25th anniversary.
The declaration was approved on Tuesday at a summit in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among other leaders.
The 10 member states reaffirmed their commitment to international law and the UN Charter and called for a stronger UN role in maintaining international peace and security and promoting sustainable development.
The bloc also backed what it described as a more representative and just multipolar world order, calling for reforms to global governance that would give countries a more equal voice in international decision-making.
Security, AI and trade take centre stage
The declaration called for responsible development and use of artificial intelligence, reforms to global economic governance and stronger cooperation on sustainable development.
SCO members also criticised what they called “double standards,” particularly in the field of human rights.
Despite its growing regional influence, the organisation emphasised its non-military character, saying members reject bloc-based and confrontational approaches to international and regional issues.
Beyond the main declaration, leaders signed more than 20 additional documents covering security, drug trafficking, technology, transport, energy and environmental cooperation.
The agreements include measures to strengthen regional security, combat drug trafficking, improve transport and logistics links, expand AI and digital infrastructure, and deepen energy and environmental cooperation.
Pakistan to take over SCO chairmanship
The summit also approved closer cooperation between the SCO and the African Union Commission and designated Lahore, Pakistan, as the organisation’s tourism and cultural capital for 2026-2027.
The SCO currently has 10 members: Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Pakistan will take over the organisation’s rotating chairmanship from Kyrgyzstan and host the next SCO Council of Heads of State meeting in 2027.
