01/09/2026
Statement by President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(Bishkek, September 1, 2026)
Over the past quarter century, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has come a truly long way.
Let me recall that it was established in 2001 at the initiative of six states – Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – and has since grown stronger and expanded, becoming one of the independent and influential centers of the emerging Multupolar World.
Today, the SCO is effectively the largest regional association not only on our common Eurasian continent, but in the world as a whole. Its member states are home to almost half of the world’s population and account for more than one-third of global GDP.
The members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation actively interact in politics, the economy and the humanitarian sphere. This cooperation helps ensure the steady and sustainable development of each of our states and contributes to an atmosphere of peace and stability, trust and cooperation across our common Eurasian continent.
I am convinced that the substantial package of decisions prepared for approval by the Leaders following today’s meeting will give new impetus to our partnershipwithin the SCO.
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Among the practical priorities facing the SCO, I would particularly highlight the further strengthening of commercial ties between member states. This brings clear benefits to all of us and genuinely contributes to steady socioeconomic growth and improved living standards.
Mutual trade and investment continue to grow year after year. For example, Russia’s trade with SCO countries exceeded $400 billion in 2025, while our states are increasingly using national currencies in mutual settlements. In Russia’s transactions with SCO members, their share now exceeds 98%.
The SCO Business Council and Interbank Consortium make a major contribution to implementing joint, mutually beneficial economic projects. In the future, the Development Bank now being established within our Organisation could also join this work. In my view, it should be as independent as possible from the financial systems of states that use economic instruments as weapons to gain unilateral advantages in international affairs.
I believe it is in our common interest to continue pursuing a coordinated and balanced energy policy, as provided for in the SCO Energy Cooperation Strategy through 2030.
We are pleased with the highly dynamic and substantive nature of cultural and humanitarian cooperation within the SCO. Ties between our countries are expanding in education, healthcare, environmental protection, science and youth exchanges. The SCO University, which brings together more than 100 universities from our countries, is operating successfully. Women’s forums are also held under the Organisation’s auspices, focusing on strengthening the role of women in public, political, business and social life.
Yesterday, we attended the opening of the World Nomad Games now underway in Kyrgyzstan, with representatives from many SCO countries taking part, including Russia. Our country is ready to host the next Games in Kazanin 2028. We will be pleased to welcome teams from interested states.
In keeping with tradition, we also look forward to welcoming cultural and artistic figures from SCO countries to the International United Cultures Forum, which will be held in St Petersburg in late September.
I am convinced that our joint work in Bishkek will help advance multifaceted cooperation within the SCO in the interests of strengthening security, peaceful development and prosperity throughout Eurasia.
In this regard, dear friends, I would like to recall that today, September 1, marks the beginning of World War II. We must do everything possible to prevent the provocation of armed conflicts from becoming part of international practice. I am convinced that our work is helping move us in that direction.
