At the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the significance of prioritizing development and security within the organization. During his address on September 1, Xi advocated for fostering shared prosperity among member states and emphasized the creation of a secure regional environment. He also encouraged the SCO to support equitable global governance and resist unilateralism and confrontational policies.
Xi reflected on the SCO’s evolution over its 25-year history, noting its foundational principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, and respect for diverse civilizations. He stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in key areas such as trade, investment, connectivity, and energy resources. Additionally, he highlighted the need for collaboration in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and green industries to ensure the organization’s growth and relevance in the modern world.
Addressing security concerns, Xi called for coordinated efforts among SCO members to tackle both traditional and nontraditional threats, thereby reinforcing regional stability. He expressed China’s readiness to collaborate with other member nations to advance a security framework that is common, comprehensive, and sustainable. This approach aims to safeguard the region against various challenges and ensure long-term peace and security.
Throughout the summit in Bishkek, SCO leaders endorsed the achievements of the organization over the past 25 years, recognizing its role in promoting regional peace, stability, and prosperity. The leaders underscored the necessity of strengthening cooperation to maintain these achievements. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Bishkek Declaration and several agreements focused on enhancing security, economic ties, cultural exchanges, and organizational cooperation among member states.