What you need to know about the upcoming SCO summit as it turns 25

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.