The 2026 Bishkek SCO Summit is the 26th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). It is being held from 31 August to 1 September 2026 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The summit is particularly significant as it marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO and concludes Kyrgyzstan’s 2025–26 rotating chairmanship of the organisation. The summit is being chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov under the SCO 2026 theme “25 Years of the SCO: Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity.”
What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a major regional organisation focused on cooperation in areas such as security, economic development, connectivity, energy, culture and regional stability. The organisation was established in 2001 in Shanghai, China, by six founding members:
- China
- Russia
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Uzbekistan
The SCO has expanded considerably since its formation. India and Pakistan became members in 2017, Iran joined in 2023, and Belarus became a member in 2024. As of 2026, the SCO has 10 member states. Afghanistan and Mongolia have held observer status, while several other countries have participated as dialogue partners.
2026 Bishkek Summit
The Bishkek Summit brings together the heads of government or state of SCO member countries to discuss major regional and international issues.
The summit is taking place against the background of changing global geopolitics, increasing economic interdependence and the growing importance of Central Asia.
Kyrgyzstan has proposed several initiatives aimed at strengthening SCO cooperation, including an SCO development bank, improved transport corridors and the creation of an international centre to combat organised crime.
Major Participants
The summit is being attended by the leaders of all 10 SCO member states.
Among the major participants are:
- Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
- Xi Jinping, President of China
- Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
- Sadyr Japarov, President of Kyrgyzstan
- Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan
- Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus
- Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran
- Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan
- Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan
- Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan
The wider SCO Plus format also includes leaders and representatives from partner countries and international organisations.
Major Issues on the Agenda
1. Regional Security
Security remains one of the core areas of SCO cooperation. The member countries discuss challenges such as terrorism, extremism, separatism and organised crime. The organisation seeks greater coordination among its members to address emerging security threats.
2. Economic Cooperation
The SCO is increasingly focusing on economic cooperation. Discussions at the summit include trade, investment, infrastructure and financial cooperation.
The proposal for an SCO development bank could potentially provide financial support for regional infrastructure and development projects.
3. Connectivity and Transport
Improving connectivity between member countries is another important priority. Central Asia occupies a strategic position between Europe and Asia, making transport corridors particularly important for international trade.
The development of roads, railways and other transport networks can improve regional trade and strengthen economic integration.
4. Energy Security
Energy is an important area of cooperation because several SCO members are major producers or consumers of oil, gas and other forms of energy.
During Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship, SCO energy ministers discussed energy security and consultations on a proposed SCO Energy Consortium.
5. Digital Cooperation
Digital technology and cybersecurity are becoming increasingly important in international relations.
The SCO is exploring greater cooperation in areas such as digital technologies, information security and technological development.
6. Environmental Cooperation
Climate change and environmental degradation are global challenges. SCO members have also placed greater emphasis on sustainable development and environmental cooperation.
Importance of the Summit for India
The SCO is strategically important for India because it provides a platform for engagement with Central Asian countries, Russia, China, Iran and other important regional powers.
India’s participation in the SCO supports its broader Central Asia outreach and provides opportunities for cooperation in:
Connectivity
Energy security
Counter-terrorism
Trade and investment
Regional stability
Cultural exchanges
The SCO also provides India with a multilateral platform for maintaining dialogue with countries with which it may have differences on certain bilateral or geopolitical issues.
Bishkek Declaration
The summit is expected to adopt the Bishkek Declaration, which will mark the SCO’s 25th anniversary and outline areas of future cooperation.
The declaration is expected to address issues related to regional security, economic cooperation, sustainable development and the future direction of the organisation.
At the conclusion of the summit, the SCO’s rotating chairmanship is expected to pass from Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan.
Conclusion
The 2026 Bishkek SCO Summit reflects the growing importance of the SCO in Eurasian and global affairs. The organisation has evolved from a regional security grouping into a broader platform for cooperation in security, trade, connectivity, energy, technology, culture and sustainable development.
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