BAKU, Azerbaijan,
August 31. The main expectation from the SCO
summit in Bishkek is to move from political declarations to
concrete economic and infrastructure projects as quickly as
possible, Professor at Ala-Too International University (Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan) Kubanychbek Taabaldiev told Trend.
“In my view, the current SCO summit differs from others in that
its participants are gathering here not because of conjunctural
interests, but primarily as countries united by common tasks and
intentions and ready to jointly contribute to their implementation.
Moreover, voluntarily and consciously, since the main priority
remains stability in relations, the expansion of ties and joint
response to modern challenges. That is why I think the main
expectation is to move from political declarations to concrete
economic and infrastructure projects as quickly as possible,” he
said.
According to him, for Kyrgyzstan, decisions that could
strengthen its transit potential, expand trade and attract
investment are particularly important, while the summit will also
serve as an important platform for discussing regional security
issues amid growing geopolitical tensions.
“Finally, the very fact that the SCO leaders’ meeting is being
held in Bishkek is a serious opportunity to strengthen the
international image of Kyrgyzstan as an active participant in
regional diplomacy. Over the 25 years of the SCO’s existence,
Kyrgyzstan is hosting the organization’s summit for the third time,
with all heads of state of the organization’s member states
gathering here. In addition, representatives of other countries,
such as Türkiye and others, will participate. Kyrgyzstan is one of
the six founding countries of the SCO and is currently increasingly
demonstrating itself as a state capable of shaping the regional
cooperation agenda,” the professor said.
Taabaldiev noted that the year of chairmanship in the
organization allowed Bishkek to more actively promote both its own
and regional priorities. “These include areas such as transport
connectivity, economic cooperation, digitalization, security and
sustainable development. In my view, another important point is
that Kyrgyzstan has had the opportunity to host key meetings on its
territory and work directly with the leaders of the largest
countries in Eurasia. This strengthens the country’s diplomatic
agency and gives it additional opportunities to promote its
national interests,” he concluded.
The SCO was established in 2001 and initially comprised China,
Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Over the
past 25 years, its membership has expanded to 10 countries. The
26th SCO summit will be held in Bishkek on August 31-September 1,
2026, under Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship. The meeting will focus on
the organization’s further development, strengthening economic and
transport cooperation, and security cooperation. Following the
summit, the leaders are expected to consider a number of documents
related to the development of the SCO’s financial and economic
mechanisms, including initiatives to expand settlements in national
currencies and establish new cooperation institutions.
