BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, July 27. The Media Forum
of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will open new
opportunities for partnership, Director of Kyrgyzstan’s national
information agency Kabar Mederbek Shermetaliev said, Trend’s special correspondent
reports.
He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2026 SCO
Media and Think Tank Forum in Bishkek.
"Kyrgyzstan is chairing the SCO in the year marking the
organisation’s 25th anniversary. This is not only a great honour
and a significant responsibility for the country, but also a
historic opportunity to give new momentum to the development of the
SCO’s key principles and values," Shermetaliev said.
According to him, the current forum is one of the key events
within Kyrgyzstan’s SCO chairmanship. The participation of around
250 representatives from 26 SCO member and partner states
demonstrates the countries’ commitment to strengthening
information, analytical and humanitarian cooperation.
"I am convinced that this forum will become an important
platform for developing new ideas, strengthening strategic
partnership and making a significant contribution to the
sustainable development of our entire region," Shermetaliev
said.
The head of Kabar emphasised that the modern world is changing
rapidly, while the development of digital technologies has
significantly simplified information exchange. At the same time, he
noted that new challenges have emerged, including the spread of
disinformation, information manipulation, cybersecurity threats and
external influence on public opinion.
Under these conditions, responsible journalism, professional
analysis and information policies based on reliable facts are
becoming key factors in strengthening trust between states, he
said.
Shermetaliev stressed that SCO countries should not only develop
transport and economic ties but also consistently expand
intellectual, information and humanitarian cooperation. He
highlighted the importance of maintaining dialogue between think
tanks, conducting joint research, training young experts and
developing professional exchanges among media representatives.
He also said that Kabar is ready to provide comprehensive
support for initiatives aimed at advancing information
cooperation.
"We are interested in developing new mechanisms for interaction
in the information space of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
countries aimed at strengthening mutual trust, countering the
spread of false information and ensuring an objective, balanced
exchange of information," the agency’s director said.
Shermetaliev noted that under the leadership of Kyrgyz President
Sadyr Japarov, the country is consistently implementing reforms
aimed at digitalising public administration, increasing information
openness, improving government interaction with society and
developing modern communication policies.
According to him, in the digital era, information has ceased to
be merely a source of news and has become a strong bridge of trust
between the state and society. At the same time, rapid
technological development requires greater responsibility,
forward-looking decisions and coordinated joint action.
Concluding his remarks, the director of Kabar stressed that the
forum is not simply a platform for exchanging views, but an
opportunity to jointly shape the future.
"Trust begins with information. Trust is strengthened through
dialogue. And only dialogue based on equal partnership can ensure
sustainable development. The Kabar news agency reaffirms its
readiness to continue contributing to the expansion of information
and humanitarian cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation," Shermetaliev said.
