Baghdad: The meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has begun in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. The summit, marking the 25th anniversary of the SCO’s founding, sees the participation of leaders and heads of government from member states.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, in his opening address, highlighted that Kyrgyzstan’s presidency is under the motto “25 Years of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: Together for Peace, Development, and Sustainable Prosperity.” He emphasized the transformation of the SCO from a border security mechanism to an influential global entity, representing over 40 percent of the world’s population and a quarter of global GDP. Japarov mentioned that the presidency’s philosophy is based on “Unity is the Foundation of Prosperity,” reflecting the Shanghai spirit.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, addressing the summit, underscored the common goals during Kyrgyzstan’s presidency: strengthening stability and expanding cooperation for shared development. He stated that stability today means maintaining equilibrium despite obstacles, achievable through solid foundations like the SCO. Lukashenko pointed out the realities of sanctions in media, diplomatic, financial, and economic domains, advocating for a new security architecture in Eurasia and a common space of trust and cooperation.

The summit agenda includes discussions on the organization’s status, development prospects, and current international and regional issues, culminating in a final declaration. The SCO consists of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus, with Afghanistan and Mongolia as observers and 15 countries as dialogue partners, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt. Over two decades, the SCO has been pivotal for political and economic coordination, as Russia and China aim to establish a multipolar world order against Western dominance. The summit holds added importance amid Russia-West tensions over Ukraine and Moscow’s expansion of economic and political ties with Asian countries as Western alternatives.