BISHKEK (MNN); Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) had emerged as one of the world’s most influential regional blocs and called for deeper cooperation in trade, investment, energy, security and humanitarian exchanges.
Addressing the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Bishkek, Putin said the organisation had made remarkable progress since its establishment in 2001 by Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
He said the SCO had expanded over the past 25 years and had become an important centre in what he described as an emerging multipolar world.
According to Putin, SCO member states now account for nearly half of the world’s population and more than one-third of global gross domestic product.
He said cooperation among member states in political, economic and humanitarian fields was helping promote sustainable development, peace, stability, mutual trust and cooperation across Eurasia.
Putin expressed confidence that the package of decisions being considered by SCO leaders in Bishkek would provide fresh momentum to cooperation within the organisation.
Focus on Trade and Investment
Highlighting economic cooperation as a key priority, the Russian president called for further strengthening commercial and investment ties among SCO member states.
He said growing trade and investment were contributing to economic development and improved living standards across the region.
Putin revealed that Russia’s trade with SCO member states exceeded $400 billion in 2025, while the use of national currencies in mutual settlements was also increasing.
He said national currencies now account for more than 98 per cent of Russia’s transactions with SCO countries.
Putin also highlighted the role of the SCO Business Council and the Interbank Consortium in promoting joint economic projects.
He said the proposed SCO Development Bank could play an important role in financing future projects and stressed that such an institution should remain as independent as possible from financial systems used as instruments for political or economic pressure.
Energy and Economic Cooperation
Putin called for continued coordination in the energy sector under the SCO Energy Cooperation Strategy through 2030.
He said a balanced and coordinated energy policy was in the collective interest of all member states and could further strengthen regional economic cooperation.
Education, Culture and Humanitarian Links
The Russian president also praised the growing cultural and humanitarian cooperation within the SCO.
He said member states were expanding cooperation in education, healthcare, environmental protection, science and youth exchanges.
Putin noted that the SCO University network, comprising more than 100 universities from member countries, was playing an important role in strengthening academic cooperation.
He also highlighted women’s forums held under the SCO framework, aimed at enhancing the role of women in public, political, business and social life.
Russia to Host World Nomad Games in 2028
Referring to the World Nomad Games currently being held in Kyrgyzstan, Putin said representatives from several SCO countries, including Russia, were participating in the event.
He announced that Russia was ready to host the next edition of the World Nomad Games in Kazan in 2028 and said teams from interested countries would be welcomed.
Putin also invited cultural and artistic representatives from SCO countries to participate in the International United Cultures Forum, scheduled to take place in St Petersburg later this month.
Call for Peace and Conflict Prevention
Concluding his address, Putin said the decisions taken at the Bishkek summit would help strengthen security, peace, development and prosperity across Eurasia.
He noted that September 1 marked the anniversary of the beginning of World War II and stressed the need for the international community to prevent armed conflicts and provocations from becoming a normal feature of global affairs.
Putin said SCO member states should continue working together to promote dialogue, cooperation, peace and stability across the region.
