BISHKEK, Sept. 1, 2026: Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has evolved into one of the most influential centres of the emerging multipolar world, calling for stronger economic, energy, security and humanitarian cooperation among its member states.Addressing the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Bishkek on Tuesday, Putin recalled that the organisation was founded in 2001 by Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
He said the SCO had since expanded significantly and now represented the largest regional association in Eurasia and one of the largest in the world. Its member states, he noted, account for nearly half of the global population and more than one-third of the world’s gross domestic product.Putin said the package of decisions being considered at the Bishkek summit would provide fresh momentum to cooperation within the organisation.
Focus on trade and investment
The Russian president highlighted the expansion of trade and investment as one of the SCO’s key practical priorities.According to Putin, Russia’s trade with SCO countries exceeded $400 billion in 2025, while the use of national currencies in mutual settlements has increased sharply. He said their share in Russia’s transactions with SCO members now exceeds 98 percent.
He also praised the work of the SCO Business Council and Interbank Consortium in promoting joint economic projects.Putin said the proposed SCO Development Bank could further support such initiatives and argued that it should be as independent as possible from financial systems that, in his view, can be used as instruments of political and economic pressure.
Energy and humanitarian cooperation
Putin also called for continued coordination on energy policy in line with the SCO Energy Cooperation Strategy through 2030.He highlighted growing cooperation in education, healthcare, environmental protection, science and youth exchanges.
The SCO University, he said, now brings together more than 100 universities from member states.The Russian leader also pointed to the organisation’s women’s forums, which focus on expanding women’s participation in public, political, business and social life.
Russia offers to host 2028 World Nomad Games
Referring to the World Nomad Games currently taking place in Kyrgyzstan, Putin said Russia was ready to host the next edition in Kazan in 2028.He said Russia would be pleased to welcome teams from interested SCO countries.
Putin also said Russia looked forward to welcoming cultural and artistic figures from SCO states to the International United Cultures Forum, scheduled to take place in St Petersburg later this month.
Call to prevent armed conflicts
Concluding his remarks, Putin referred to September 1 as the date marking the beginning of the Second World War and urged countries to work to prevent armed conflicts from becoming an accepted feature of international relations.
“We must do everything possible to prevent the provocation of armed conflicts from becoming part of international practice,” Putin said, expressing confidence that SCO cooperation could contribute to peace, security and development across Eurasia.He said the Bishkek meeting would help advance multifaceted cooperation among SCO members and strengthen security, peaceful development and prosperity throughout the Eurasian region.
