Measurable actions taken by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) since it began discussions in 1996. The 26th Summit, themed “25 Years of SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity”, was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from August 31 to September 1, 2026.
SCO provides a platform to discuss security, economic, and diplomatic issues among nations, acts as a counterbalance to Western dominance, and wants to establish a multipolar world order.
The Bishkek Declaration is the official joint statement issued and signed by the SCO leaders this year. It covers condemnation of international conflicts, terrorism, economic cooperation, energy cooperation, and Afghanistan as an inclusive and representative government.
India made statements calling for dismantling the “entire ecosystem of terrorism”, asserting that strong messages should be sent to countries using terrorism, and that it cannot continue as a “mere ‘action-reaction’ mindset.” Modi also addressed drug trafficking as a serious threat to regional security and the youth.
China stressed strengthened cooperation on information security, biosecurity, and outer space. “We must prevent external forces from interfering in our internal affairs, endangering our political security, and undermining regional stability.” Sources say, which was interpreted as to be about the US.
Masoud Pezeshkian backed Iran’s rights as a member of the NPT and encouraged SCO to boost its financial cooperation. The SCO Bank and Energy Consortium were initiatives proposed by Iran.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mentioned the Indus Water Treaty on how water “must never be weaponised; it cannot be used as an instrument of coercion, nor can it ever be exploited for political leverage.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s support to Iran was seen in the close military and political alliance at the SCO. Pezeshkian acknowledged Russia’s cooperation and mentioned that the two nations were standing up to Washington.
At the 2026 summit, the SCO’s plan has moved beyond discussions to the implementation phase of the SCO Economic Development Strategy and Member States’ Energy Cooperation Strategy.
The turn from declaration to initiatives in economic strategies, energy pacts, and talks of an SCO Development Bank is aimed at lowering dependence on the Western led system. This is a milestone in achieving their goal of strengthening regional trust and stability while establishing a multipolar economic and political system.
