A shared vision for the future

As the Shanghai Cooperation Organization prepares to mark its 25th anniversary with a summit in Bishkek on Sept 1, 2026, the organization is entering a new stage of its development. Founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and later expanded to include India, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus, the SCO has become the world's largest regional organization in demographic terms, encompassing more than 3 billion people across the Eurasian landmass.

Over the past 25 years, it has evolved from a regional security arrangement into a multidimensional institution addressing security, economic development, cultural exchange and global governance. Its rise reflects the broader transformation of Eurasia.