SCO at 25: Central Asia's role expands beyond security to trade and transit
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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation marks its 25th anniversary in 2026, with the upcoming Bishkek summit set to review a quarter-century of development. Chinese researcher Guliziya Baishan says Central Asian states have expanded their role from founding members focused on security to active participants in transport, investment, and digital economy cooperation. Kazakhstan's 2023–2024 SCO chairmanship held over 150 events, culminating in the Astana summit.
Key Facts
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation marks its 25th anniversary in 2026, with the upcoming summit in Bishkek.
- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan were founding members of the SCO from its inception.
- During Kazakhstan's 2023–2024 SCO chairmanship, over 150 events were held in economic, investment, transport, cultural, humanitarian, and environmental spheres.
- Guliziya Baishan heads the Department of Central Asian Languages at the Shanghai International Studies University's Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Expanding Regional Agenda
A quarter-century ago, newly independent Central Asian states prioritized border stability, mutual trust, and countering terrorism, separatism, and extremism. The transition from the 'Shanghai Five' to the SCO gradually built a regional interaction mechanism based on trust, consultation, and cooperation. Today, security remains fundamental, but the regional agenda has broadened to include transport corridors, industrial cooperation, investment, digital economy, green development, energy, agriculture, and education. For Central Asian states, the key question is how to turn a stable regional environment into additional development opportunities.
Kazakhstan's Chairmanship Record
Kazakhstan, as a founding state, has consistently participated in the SCO's development. During its 2023–2024 chairmanship, Kazakhstan organized over 150 events across economic, investment, transport, cultural, humanitarian, and environmental fields. The Astana SCO summit served as the culmination of Kazakhstan's chairmanship. Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked country, seeks to turn its continental position into advantages in transport connectivity.
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SCO at 25: Central Asia's role expands beyond security to trade and transit
