Bishkek to Host SCO Summit, Expanding to 'SCO Plus' Format

Bishkek is set to host a significant diplomatic gathering on September 1st, as Kyrgyzstan chairs the upcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State. The event will also feature an expanded "SCO Plus" meeting, signaling a broader scope for regional dialogue.

The summit, held under the chairmanship of President Sadyr Japarov, will convene leaders from key SCO member nations. Attendees will include President Xi Jinping of China, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, among others. Several heads of state and government from invited countries, such as Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Mongolia, Turkey, Laos, Togo, Vietnam, and Egypt, are also expected to participate.

International organizations will also be represented, with the participation of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev, and heads of other regional bodies like the CIS, CSTO, and ECO. The agenda will cover pressing international and regional matters, with a particular focus on enhancing cooperation across political, trade, economic, transport, digital, environmental, and cultural spheres.

This summit marks a crucial milestone as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the SCO, celebrated under the motto "25 Years of SCO: Together for Sustainable Peace, Development, and Prosperity." The outcomes are expected to include the signing of the Bishkek Declaration and various documents aimed at strengthening multilateral cooperation and improving the organization's effectiveness. The "SCO Plus" meeting will provide a platform for discussing the UN's role and international law, alongside efforts to promote sustainable development and mutually beneficial partnerships.