26th SCO Summit Begins in Bishkek as Pakistan Prepares to Take Chair

The 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit will take place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from August 31 to September 1, 2026.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov will chair the summit.

Leaders from SCO member states will attend the meeting. They include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The summit also marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO. Leaders are expected to discuss the future of the organisation and major regional and global issues.

Shehbaz Sharif to Represent Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Bishkek to represent Pakistan at the summit.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the prime minister will attend the Council of Heads of State meeting and hold bilateral talks with Kyrgyz leaders.

Pakistan will assume the rotating chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State after the Bishkek summit.

The country will hold the chair for one year.

Islamabad to Host 2027 SCO Summit

Pakistan will also host the next SCO Council of Heads of State summit in Islamabad in 2027.

The Foreign Ministry has described the upcoming chairmanship as an opportunity for Pakistan to advance a practical agenda.

Islamabad plans to focus on economic cooperation, regional connectivity and stronger ties among SCO members.

The chairmanship will give Pakistan a larger role in setting the agenda for the organisation during the coming year.

Security and Counterterrorism on Agenda

Regional security will be an important issue at the Bishkek summit.

The leaders are expected to discuss international and regional security challenges.

Counterterrorism will also remain a key area of SCO cooperation.

In addition, the leaders will consider ways to improve cooperation between member states.

The summit will also cover economic cooperation, transport links and regional development.

Trade and Economic Cooperation

Economic ties will form another major part of the SCO agenda.

The organisation aims to increase trade and strengthen economic links among its members.

Better transport and regional connectivity can also support trade across Eurasia.

Pakistan plans to give greater attention to these areas during its year as SCO chair.

The country sees its geographic position as a bridge between South Asia, Central Asia and other parts of Eurasia.

SCO Marks 25 Years

The Bishkek summit comes as the SCO marks 25 years since its creation.

The organisation has expanded since its early years and now includes major powers such as China, Russia, India and Pakistan.

Iran has also joined the group as a full member, while Belarus is now part of the organisation.

The summit is expected to end with the adoption of the Bishkek Declaration and other documents on areas such as security, economic cooperation, transport, environmental protection and artificial intelligence.

Pakistan Sets Priorities for Its Chairmanship

Pakistan plans to use its chairmanship to promote peace, economic cooperation and regional connectivity.

The country also wants to improve trade links among SCO members.

Furthermore, Islamabad aims to strengthen cooperation between member states and support practical projects.

The 2027 summit in Islamabad will be the main event of Pakistan’s year-long chairmanship.