Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to focus on development and security as key priorities, emphasizing the importance of enhancing dialogue, cooperation, and regional stability. During the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on September 1, Xi underscored the need for the organization to foster shared prosperity and a more secure regional environment. He also called on SCO members to support fairer global governance while opposing confrontation and unilateral actions.
Highlighting the SCO’s achievements over its 25-year history, Xi stressed the organization’s core principles, which include mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, and respect for diverse civilizations. He advocated for increased cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, connectivity, energy, and resources. Furthermore, Xi encouraged collaboration in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and green industries to ensure continued growth and innovation.
On the subject of security, Xi appealed to SCO members to coordinate their efforts against both traditional and nontraditional threats, aiming to enhance regional stability. He reiterated China’s commitment to collaborating with other members in promoting a comprehensive and sustainable approach to security, aligning with the organization’s broader objectives.
The SCO leaders at the Bishkek summit celebrated the organization’s progress over the past quarter-century and emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation to preserve regional peace, stability, and prosperity. The summit concluded with the adoption of the Bishkek Declaration and several agreements focused on security, economic, cultural, and organizational cooperation, marking a significant step forward for the organization’s collective goals.