For two days, Bishkek served as a focal point of global diplomacy as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) marked its 25th anniversary. Kyrgyzstan, which held the rotating chairmanship for the past year, welcomed leaders from member states including China, Russia, India, and Pakistan, as well as United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and other invited guests.
The summit produced a substantial package of 28 documents, headlined by the Bishkek Declaration. Notably, the bloc agreed to its first amendments to the founding charter in over two decades, signalling a willingness to adapt to a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. A new centre to combat organised crime will be established in Bishkek, and momentum was revived behind a long-discussed SCO development bank, a project that has been on the agenda for years.
A multipolar agenda
The discussions spanned artificial intelligence, clean energy, trade, and connectivity, with leaders framing their ambitions within a push for a more equitable, multipolar world order. Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov articulated this vision succinctly, stating that such a world should be built not against anyone, but together. His remarks underscored the bloc's self-image as a counterweight to Western-dominated institutions, though the SCO's internal dynamics remain complex given the rivalries among its major members.
The summit capped a landmark year for Kyrgyzstan, which hosted nearly 200 events during its chairmanship. The country also renamed a mountain peak in honour of the SCO, a symbolic gesture that reflects the bloc's growing cultural resonance in Central Asia. The next Council of Heads of State summit will be held in Pakistan, which takes over the chairmanship.
For European observers, the SCO's evolution carries significant implications. The bloc's expanding global role, particularly its focus on infrastructure and connectivity, intersects with European interests in Central Asia and the broader Eurasian space. The revival of the development bank could offer an alternative funding source for regional projects, potentially competing with European and international financial institutions. Moreover, the SCO's stance on issues like artificial intelligence and data governance may influence global norms, areas where the EU is also seeking to set standards.
The summit's outcomes also come against a backdrop of heightened great-power competition. Russia's war in Ukraine and China's assertive foreign policy have reshaped alliances, and the SCO provides a platform for these powers to coordinate on shared interests. For Europe, understanding the SCO's trajectory is essential, as it affects security, trade, and energy dynamics on the continent's periphery.
Kyrgyzstan's chairmanship has been praised for its efficiency and for bringing a Central Asian perspective to the bloc's agenda. The country's efforts to highlight issues such as organised crime and sustainable development reflect its own priorities, which align with broader regional concerns. As the SCO looks ahead to its next chapter under Pakistan's leadership, the bloc will need to navigate internal differences while projecting unity on the global stage.
The Bishkek summit demonstrates that the SCO is no longer a peripheral grouping but a significant actor in international affairs. Its decisions, from charter reform to the development bank, will be watched closely in Brussels and other European capitals. The bloc's ability to deliver on its ambitious agenda remains to be seen, but its growing influence is undeniable.
