Putin calls SCO a rising pillar of the multipolar world

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as one of the most influential independent centres of the emerging multipolar world, urging member states to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, security and humanitarian affairs.

Addressing the SCO Council of Heads of State in Bishkek on Tuesday, Putin said the organisation had undergone major expansion since its establishment in 2001.

He recalled that the SCO was initially founded by Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. According to Putin, the organisation has since evolved into a major international grouping with growing political and economic influence.

Putin said SCO member states are now home to almost half of the world’s population and account for more than one-third of global gross domestic product.

He said cooperation among member countries was helping promote sustainable economic development while strengthening peace, stability, trust and partnership across Eurasia.

The Russian president said a package of decisions prepared for approval at the Bishkek summit could provide fresh momentum to cooperation within the organisation.

Putin identified stronger commercial relations among SCO members as one of the organisation’s key practical priorities.

He said growing trade and investment were benefiting member states and contributing to socioeconomic development and improved living standards.

Russia’s trade with SCO countries exceeded $400 billion in 2025, he said.

Putin also highlighted the increasing use of national currencies in trade between Russia and other SCO members. He said their share in Russia’s transactions with SCO countries had now exceeded 98%.

He praised the SCO Business Council and Interbank Consortium for supporting joint economic projects.

Putin also welcomed the establishment of an SCO Development Bank. He said the institution should operate as independently as possible from financial systems that, in his words, could be used as economic instruments to secure unilateral advantages.

Putin called for continued coordination on energy policy among SCO members.

He said the organisation should pursue a balanced energy strategy in line with the SCO Energy Cooperation Strategy through 2030.

According to the Russian president, coordinated energy policies could further strengthen economic ties and contribute to the long-term development of member states.

Putin also pointed to growing cooperation beyond politics and economics.

He said SCO countries were expanding collaboration in education, healthcare, environmental protection, science and youth exchanges.

He highlighted the SCO University, which brings together more than 100 universities from member states.

Putin also mentioned women’s forums organised under the SCO framework, saying they focus on increasing women’s participation in public, political, business and social life.

Putin announces Russia’s role in World Nomad Games

Putin referred to the World Nomad Games currently taking place in Kyrgyzstan.

He said representatives from several SCO countries, including Russia, were participating in the event.

Russia is prepared to host the next World Nomad Games in Kazan in 2028, Putin announced, adding that Moscow would welcome teams from interested countries.

He also invited cultural and artistic representatives from SCO countries to the International United Cultures Forum, scheduled to take place in St Petersburg later this month.

Concluding his remarks, Putin said the Bishkek summit could help expand multifaceted cooperation within the SCO.

He said the organisation’s efforts should focus on strengthening security, peaceful development and prosperity across Eurasia.

Putin also referred to the historical significance of September 1, saying it marked the beginning of World War II.

He called on the international community to prevent the provocation of armed conflicts from becoming an accepted feature of international relations.