SCO Foreign Ministers’ Council Meeting takes place in Kyrgyzstan

A meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states was held in Cholpon-Ata under the chairmanship of Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev. This was reported on the official website of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting was attended by the heads of foreign affairs agencies of Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev.

The ministers discussed current issues on the international and regional agenda, the development of trade and economic cooperation, transport connectivity, energy, digitalisation and cultural and humanitarian ties. Particular attention was paid to preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO Member States, which will take place in Bishkek on 31 August – 1 September 2026.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that following the meeting, the participants approved a package of documents to be submitted for consideration by the leaders. This was reported on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"A Joint Statement of the Foreign Ministers has been adopted. It provides a clear and principled assessment of the situation on the international stage and outlines the tasks that will be addressed in accordance with previous decisions by heads of state and governments. No one doubts that additional documents on sectoral areas of cooperation will be developed ahead of the SCO summit in Bishkek. Energy, artificial intelligence, healthcare and a number of other areas were also mentioned"

Sergey Lavrov Russian Foreign Minister

During the meeting, the Russian Foreign Minister also held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Lavrov said that, following the results of the first half of 2026, trade turnover between the two countries increased by more than 25 per cent.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for the SCO to be used as a platform for strengthening independent economic cooperation. His remarks were cited by IRNA, a TV BRICS partner.

Araghchi also expressed Iran’s readiness to develop transit, energy and trade cooperation with SCO member states, noting that due to its geographical position, the country serves as an important link connecting Central Asia, South Asia, West Asia and the waters of the open seas.

Photo: IRNA

India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh reaffirmed the country’s commitment to key issues on the global agenda, as well as to the principles of stability, sustainable development and equal international cooperation. His speech is published on the website of India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

"India firmly believes that only a reformed system of multilateralism and constructive engagement among member states can effectively help overcome contemporary global challenges. [...] India is ready to expand cooperation in advanced and emerging technologies, such as digital innovation, information and communication technologies, and artificial intelligence. [...] India remains committed to constructive engagement with all member states in order to build an SCO that is secure, stable, inclusive and responsive to the aspirations of our peoples"

Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh India’s Minister of State for External Affairs

In his speech, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev noted the need to intensify joint efforts in adapting to the consequences of climate change and the rational use of water resources. Kazakhstan expects support for its initiative to establish an International Water Organisation under the auspices of the United Nations (UN). This was reported on the website of the country’s ministry.

Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryazhenkov called for the completion of the establishment of the SCO Development Bank as an independent financial institution and for encouraging settlements in national currencies, according to a report by BelTA, a TV BRICS partner.

The meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers was held in the year marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary. Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship is being conducted under the motto: “25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity.”

Following the meeting, the parties signed eight documents, including a decision on a cooperation plan among SCO member states on ensuring international information security.