Knowledge Nugget | SCO summit 2026: What does the Bishkek declaration say?

On September 1, 2026, the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, marking the 25th anniversary of the SCO's founding. Leaders from India, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, China, Belarus, and Central Asian countries signed the Bishkek Declaration, focusing on regional security, economic cooperation, and global issues.

The declaration emphasized the unacceptable nature of "double standards" in counter-terrorism efforts, calling for the international community to combat terrorism and the cross-border movement of terrorists, with the United Nations playing a central role. The members reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism, recognizing the leading role of sovereign states in countering these threats.

Regarding the ongoing conflict between the US and Israel and Iran, the declaration expressed deep concern over developments in the Middle East and Iran. It condemned military strikes on Iran's territory, which had resulted in civilian casualties and economic damage, and emphasized the violation of international law and the UN Charter.

The SCO members also expressed condolences to Iran on the tragic death of Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei and called for resolving the conflict through political and diplomatic means. They welcomed efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region.

As geopolitical tensions rise, with two ongoing wars in Ukraine and West Asia, the SCO declared that the world had entered an era of profound geopolitical, socioeconomic, and technological change. The declaration highlighted the challenges posed by energy and food security issues, global market instability, and climate change, emphasizing that the international situation remained challenging.