BAKU, Azerbaijan,
August 31. The SCO summit in Bishkek will reaffirm
the importance of the principles of the “Shanghai Spirit” in
international politics, Professor at the Faculty of Public
Administration of Kyrgyz National University and former Rector of
the Academy of Public Administration under the President of
Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Akmataliev told Trend.


According to him, the upcoming meeting of SCO leaders will be
one of the major international events of 2026 and will draw
attention to the organization’s role in shaping the modern system
of international relations. “I am confident that this summit will
once again reaffirm the importance of the ‘Shanghai Spirit’ in
global politics, based on tolerance, friendship and cooperation,
dialogue and diplomacy in addressing global issues of our time. The
SCO is an international platform that brings together countries of
the Global South, whose voice is becoming increasingly prominent in
the world,” he said.


Akmataliev noted that holding the summit in Bishkek is of
particular importance for Kyrgyzstan, given the expected
participation of heads of state from member states and partners of
the organization. “More than 20 heads of state from SCO member
states, as well as observer and partner countries, are arriving in
Bishkek. This is a summit of global significance taking place at an
exceptionally important time for the international community,” the
professor emphasized.


In his assessment, the particular significance of the summit is
linked to the ongoing changes in the system of international
relations, growing geopolitical tensions and the need to find
additional mechanisms for international cooperation.







Akmataliev believes that under these conditions, the SCO can
play a more prominent role in promoting the principles of dialogue,
mutual respect and cooperation among states. “A new order is needed
to replace the previous paradigm of relations between countries,
based on the principles promoted by the SCO. I think this summit
could be historic in this regard,” he concluded.


The SCO was established in 2001 and initially comprised China,
Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Over the
past 25 years, its membership has expanded to 10 countries. The
26th SCO summit will be held in Bishkek on August 31-September 1,
2026, under Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship. The meeting will focus on
the organization’s further development, strengthening economic and
transport cooperation, and security cooperation. Following the
summit, the leaders are expected to consider a number of documents
related to the development of the SCO’s financial and economic
mechanisms, including initiatives to expand settlements in national
currencies and establish new cooperation institutions.