Statement by the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

(Unofficial translation)

We the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (hereinafter referred to as the SCO or Organisation),

Having discussed at our meeting on 24 July 2026 in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic, a broad range of issues pertaining to the deepening of our cooperation in politics, security and the economy, cultural and humanitarian ties, and current international and regional issues, and

Reaffirming that the SCO is not directed against other states or organisations and strictly complies with the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, non-interference in internal affairs and non-use of force or threat of force in international affairs,

Declare as follows:

This is the year of the 25th anniversary of the SCO. Since its inception, the Organisation has become a respected and dynamically developing association that is facilitating the transformation of the region into an area of lasting peace and harmony. The strict commitment of the member states to the goals and principles of the SCO Charter is effectively contributing to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of equality, and safeguarding common interests and independent national development of each member state of the Organisation.

The world is entering a new age of rapid development and large-scale transformation accompanied by the strengthening of positions of the Global South countries, the growing role of new economic and political centres, increased connectivity and accelerating computerisation and digitalisation. In this context, we reaffirm the SCO member states' commitment to shaping a more representative, inclusive, just, democratic and multipolar world order based on international law, multilateralism, peace and security, as well as respect for cultural and civilisational diversity and mutually beneficial cooperation between states with the central coordinating role of the UN.

Against this background, threats to global and regional security continue to grow. We are especially concerned about the developments in the Middle East and around the Islamic Republic of Iran. We reaffirm our position of principle enshrined in the Tianjin Declaration of the SCO Council of Heads of State, adopted on 1 September 2025, which condemned military strikes on the territory of Iran. We regard such aggressive actions as a flagrant violation of the principles and norms of international law and the UN Charter.

We once again express our solidarity and deep condolences to the people and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the tragic death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei and the families of the victims.

We firmly stand for the settlement of international conflicts exclusively by political and diplomatic means with strict compliance with the norms of international law and the UN Charter.

In this context, we welcome all efforts to de-escalate the situation around Iran and in the region as a whole.

We reaffirm the position of the member states that Central Asia is the core of the SCO and support the efforts of the Central Asian states to ensure peace and security in their countries and the region as a whole. We stand for the Organisation's active role in the further strengthening of stability and socioeconomic development of the region. We note the annual international conference on this theme held by the Republic of Tajikistan.

We emphasise the importance of the further strengthening of mutual struggle against terrorism, separatism and extremism, illegal drug trafficking, transnational organised crime, and the proliferation of religious intolerance, aggressive nationalism, xenophobia, and ethnic and racial discrimination.

We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, emphasise that double standards in the struggle against terrorism are unacceptable and call on the international community to fight terrorism, including cross-border movement of terrorists, with the central role of the UN.

We consider attempts to discredit the government agencies of the SCO member states as unacceptable.We emphasise that such activities contradict international law and undermine the principles of the sovereign equality of states and non-interference in internal affairs enshrined in the UN Charter.

We reaffirm the importance of coordinated efforts to promote progress in the sphere of nuclear disarmament and enhance the non-proliferation regime of weapons of mass destruction, biological security cooperation and voluntary development of universal information security standards, including in the use of the internet, within the framework of the UN.

We call for creating an open, just, inclusive, equal and non-discriminatory digital environment based on respect for the technological sovereignty of states.

We consider the attempts of certain states to ensure their security at the expense of the security of other states as unacceptable.

We emphasise that space must be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and call for strict compliance with the existing legal regime in this area.

We emphasise the need for the further improvement and reform of the global economic governance architecture, and the strengthening of an open, transparent, just and non-discriminatory multilateral trade system.

We consider unilateral coercive measures, including economic ones, as unacceptable, contradicting the UN Charter and other norms of international law and hindering international cooperation and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

We call for the further expansion of mutual trade in the SCO space and for providing additional opportunities for businesses.

We are concerned about the increasing economic challenges and their negative impact on the environment. We emphasise the importance of enhancing efforts and cooperation within the framework of multilateral environmental protection and ecological processes, including through the exchange of green energy experience, competencies and technologies.

A special asset of the SCO is its unwavering commitment to the strengthening of friendship and cooperation between our nations. Respect for the cultural and civilisational diversity, historical traditions and national specificities of the SCO member states is a reliable foundation for strengthening constructive dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between states towards maintaining international peace and security and promoting sustainable development.

We support the activities of the SCO member states to bolster intercultural and inter-civilisational dialogue. In this context, we note the success of the 8th Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions (17-18 September 2025, Astana), the Issyk-Kul International Forum titled The World at a Civilisational Turning Point: Together Towards the Future dedicated to the heritage of the great writer Chingiz Aitmatov (18-19 June 2026, Cholpon-Ata), and the First Forum of Intercultural Dialogue of the SCO Member States (23-25 June 2026, Namangan).

We highly appreciate the activities of the Kyrgyz Republic within the framework of its SCO Presidency in 2025-2026, including efforts to prepare the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State and the SCO Plus Summit scheduled for 31 August-1 September 2026 in Bishkek. We note with particular satisfaction the fruitful and successful sectoral ministerial meetings, forums, festivals and sports events held in the Kyrgyz Republic, which helped strengthen mutual understanding and partner ties in the SCO space. We express confidence that the upcoming summit will enhance the quality and add momentum to the further strengthening of good-neighbourliness, friendship, unity, mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation between the SCO member states.

Relying on experience accumulated over the past 25 years, the SCO is entering a new stage in its development. It is facing a comprehensive modernisation of its operation with due regard for modern trends and realities, including the improvement of the legal framework and mechanisms of its multilateral cooperation.

The SCO will not be directed against other states or international organisations and will remain open for a broad equitable dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation based on the principles of consensus and respect for national interests. The Organisation will continue to effectively serve the lofty goals and objectives proclaimed at its inception, helping consolidate the area of peace and stable economic growth in the SCO space.

Cholpon-Ata, 24 July 2026