Under Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held its anniversary summit in Bishkek, where member states adopted and signed 28 documents covering security, transport, energy, digital technologies, counter-narcotics efforts, and climate cooperation. For Kyrgyzstan, the significance of these decisions extends beyond hosting another regular meeting of the organization. Bishkek had an opportunity to shape part of the SCO agenda around areas directly related to its economic and infrastructure interests, including transport connectivity, energy, digitalization, and the development of regional security mechanisms.
One of the most concrete outcomes was an institutional decision in the security sector. The summit approved regulations on the Universal Center for Countering Security Challenges and Threats of SCO Member States. Under this framework, the Bishkek Center is expected to begin operating, with a practical role in coordinating law-enforcement cooperation, facilitating the exchange of operational information, conducting joint activities, and training specialists.
"For us, the main criterion of justice is taking into account the voice of every state and the unwavering application of international norms equally to all. That is why the Kyrgyz Republic is firmly convinced that the United Nations should remain at the core of the emerging multipolar world," Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said while speaking at the SCO Plus meeting. For the host country, this represents the establishment of a permanent SCO mechanism on its territory.
Unlike political declarations, the effectiveness of such a decision will depend not on its creation itself, but on the extent to which SCO countries regularly utilize the Bishkek Center for information exchange and joint work. "Strong regional organizations strengthen the universal system of international relations, make it more resilient, and bring common principles closer to the real needs of our peoples,” Japarov emphasized. At the same time, Kyrgyzstan links the security agenda to economic issues.
During its chairmanship, Bishkek promoted the idea of developing more effective economic infrastructure within the SCO, including practical progress toward establishing an SCO Development Bank. Kyrgyzstan also proposed using the Tamchy Special Financial and Investment Territory in Issyk-Kul for projects involving member states and businesses. The economic track could prove the most important for Kyrgyzstan in the medium term.
For Bishkek, participation in multilateral mechanisms is likely to be most meaningful when it translates into actual investment, trade flows and new transport routes. Transport connectivity is particularly important in this context. The summit approved a plan for developing ports and logistics centers in SCO countries for 2026–2030.
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