Kyrgyzstan has signed a series of cooperation agreements with China and Belarus at the Fifth Forum of Regional Leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states, underlining the country's growing economic engagement within the regional bloc.
The agreements were concluded during the forum and sister cities meeting, titled Interregional Partnership in the SCO: 25 Years of Joint Development. The event brought together government officials and regional leaders to discuss economic cooperation, infrastructure connectivity and investment opportunities across the SCO region.
Speaking at the forum, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Erlist Akunbekov said the SCO had become one of Eurasia's most influential platforms for regional cooperation over the past quarter of a century. He also highlighted the rapid growth of Kyrgyzstan's economic ties with SCO member states, noting that the country's trade turnover with SCO partners has increased 2.2-fold over the past four years.
A key focus of Kyrgyzstan's participation was the development of major infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and economic integration.
Akunbekov highlighted several strategic initiatives currently under way in the country, including the construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, the opening of the new Bedel border crossing on the Kyrgyz-Chinese border, the construction of the Barskoon–Bedel highway and the implementation of large-scale energy projects.
According to Kyrgyz officials, these projects are expected to improve transport links, facilitate trade and strengthen regional cooperation across the SCO area.
“These projects have strategic importance not only for Kyrgyzstan, but for the entire SCO region,” Akunbekov said.
On the sidelines of the forum, Kyrgyzstan signed several agreements aimed at expanding regional partnerships.
The documents include a memorandum of cooperation between the Bishkek Free Economic Zone and the Brest Free Economic Zone in Belarus; an agreement establishing sister-city relations between Bishkek and the Chinese city of Zhengzhou; and a cooperation agreement between the Naryn Free Economic Zone and the administration of the Brest Free Economic Zone.
Officials said the agreements are expected to support business cooperation, investment exchanges and closer economic ties between the participating regions.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation brings together countries across Central and South Asia, including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus and the Central Asian states. Alongside its security agenda, the organisation has increasingly focused on economic cooperation, trade and infrastructure development.
For Kyrgyzstan, the latest agreements and ongoing infrastructure projects underline the country's efforts to strengthen its position as a regional transport and trade hub while deepening economic cooperation with its SCO partners.
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