SCO foreign ministers conclude meeting in Kyrgyzstan PHOTO / VIDEO / UPDATED

24 July 2026 14:08

Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) concluded their meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on July 24 after signing a package of final documents to be submitted for approval at the organisation's upcoming leaders' summit in Bishkek.

Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev formally declared the meeting closed following the signing ceremony, according to Russian media.

"The meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers is hereby declared closed," Kulubayev said.

Speaking to reporters after the session, he said the core package of documents agreed by the ministers would be presented to the SCO heads of state for endorsement at the Bishkek summit.

According to Kulubayev, the summit's principal political document will be the Bishkek 25th Anniversary Declaration, which will outline the member states' shared vision for cooperation within the organisation and set out coordinated positions on key regional and global issues.

The leaders are also expected to consider a draft protocol amending the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the bloc's founding document.

In addition, the summit agenda includes a series of decisions aimed at improving the SCO's institutional framework, strengthening its organisational capacity, and expanding practical cooperation across its main areas of activity.

12:21

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has met with foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states, calling for closer coordination in addressing regional security challenges and expanding economic cooperation.

According to the Kyrgyz presidential press service, the meeting focused on key areas of cooperation, including trade and economic ties, the development of transport corridors, the implementation of joint investment projects, and preparations for the upcoming SCO summit in Bishkek.

During the talks, Japarov highlighted the need for collective action in response to growing challenges such as terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and transnational organised crime.

The Kyrgyz leader also called for accelerating the establishment of a Universal Centre for Countering Challenges and Threats to Security in Bishkek, which would operate on the basis of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.

11:10

Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev has opened the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Cholpon-Ata.

According to Russian media, Kulubayev said the meeting traditionally serves as the final stage of preparations for the upcoming meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State.

"The agenda covers a broad range of pressing issues. We are to review and approve draft documents that will be submitted for consideration by the heads of our states," he said.

"We express our sincere gratitude to all member states for the support they have extended to the Kyrgyz Republic during its chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. We expect today's work to be both productive and successful," the foreign minister concluded.