Eurasian leaders have gathered in Bishkek for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit focused on security, economic ties and regional co-operation, as the bloc marks its 25th anniversary. China's President Xi Jinping also hailed the “unprecedented” development in China-Kyrgyzstan relations.
Azerbaijan is an active partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), maintaining broad co-operation with the group on security, trade, transport and other areas.
Azerbaijan became an SCO dialogue partner in 2016 and applied in 2024 to upgrade its status to observer. President Ilham Aliyev has participated in several SCO summits, attending as an honorary guest in Uzbekistan in 2022 and taking part in summits in Kazakhstan in 2024 and China in 2025.
Aliyev is now participating in the SCO+ meeting in Bishkek, held on August 31 and September 1 alongside the main summit.
Azerbaijan’s co-operation with SCO members covers regional security, counterterrorism, the fight against organised and cybercrime, trade and investment, energy, agriculture and telecommunications. The country also works with SCO members on customs and legal co-operation, as well as culture, education, science, healthcare and tourism.
Transport connectivity is a particular focus. Azerbaijan promotes the development of transregional multimodal corridors, including the East-West and North-South routes, which strengthen links between Asia, Europe and other markets and increase the country’s transit role.
Co-operation also includes emergency response and efforts to promote multiculturalism, tolerance and intercivilisational dialogue.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political and security grouping established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
It has since expanded to 10 members, with India and Pakistan joining in 2017, Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.
The SCO aims to strengthen political and economic co-operation, promote regional peace and security, and deepen ties between its members. Its agenda includes security, counterterrorism, trade, energy, transport and regional development.
The organisation also includes a wider group of partner countries, including Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.
The SCO has become an important forum for China, Russia, India and Iran to engage with each other and with other countries across Eurasia.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed a treaty on permanent good-neighbourliness, friendship and co-operation on Monday, further strengthening ties between the two countries, according to CGTN.
The agreement was signed during Xi’s state visit to Kyrgyzstan, where he is attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is due to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his two-day visit to Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and SCO Plus meeting, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported.
Pezeshkian is also expected to hold talks with the leaders of Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan and Tajikistan, and attend the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games.
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the “unprecedented” development in China-Kyrgyzstan ties during the opening of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek.
Xi highlighted expanding co-operation and major projects such as the China-Kyrgyzstan railway, saying they are benefiting both countries and supporting regional stability and prosperity.
The summit brings together leaders and senior officials from across Eurasia as the SCO marks its 25th anniversary, with security, trade, connectivity and regional development high on the agenda.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing was making every effort to locate people missing after a mudslide near the Tibet-Nepal border crossing, state media reported.
Xi made the remarks during talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek, where he is on a state visit.
The World Nomad Games officially begin on Monday, with several SCO summit leaders expected to attend the opening ceremony.
About 3,000 athletes from more than 110 countries are due to compete.
Authorities have deployed more than 15,000 police officers and introduced traffic restrictions in Bishkek as the city prepares for large crowds and visiting delegations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Kyrgyzstan, where he is currently holding an extended meeting with President Sadyr Japarov.
Xi arrived in Bishkek on Sunday to attend the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, with Egypt also included in his regional tour.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation begins a two-day major summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday, bringing together leaders and high-level representatives from across Eurasia including from Russia, Iran and China.
The meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State is scheduled for 1 September and comes as the organisation marks 25 years since its establishment. Over the past quarter-century, the SCO has expanded cooperation in politics, security, trade and regional development.
This year’s summit is expected to focus heavily on security challenges, including terrorism, transnational crime, cyber threats and information security.
Leaders are also set to discuss economic cooperation, transport corridors and stronger connectivity across Eurasia. Digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), energy, climate adaptation and the green transition are also expected to feature on the agenda.
The summit will also provide an opportunity to assess the early implementation of the SCO Development Strategy for 2026–2035.
With geopolitical competition intensifying, the Bishkek meeting will test how effectively the organisation can turn political consensus into practical cooperation.
The summit programme also includes participation in the World Nomad Games (WNG), a major cultural and sporting event showcasing traditional nomadic heritage. Leaders and delegations attending the SCO gathering are expected to take part in related events during their visit to Bishkek.
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