The event was organized by the National Institute for Strategic Initiatives under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic and dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The Forum brought together heads of think tanks and researchers from academic circles of SCO member states, officials of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps in Bishkek.

During the high-level plenary session and four thematic sessions, participants discussed security and sustainability in the SCO region amid global turbulence, economic integration and transport and digital connectivity, the formation of a common intellectual space, the development of mountainous regions, as well as the role of SCO think tanks amid the transformation of the global order.

At the opening of the Forum, IICA Director Javlon Vakhabov highlighted current trends in the development of regional cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as well as the expansion of expert interaction in the “SCO Plus” format. Special attention was paid to simplifying trade barriers, removing and unifying customs procedures, actively involving businesses in SCO projects that strengthen connectivity, and aligning them with the goals of the Belt and Road initiative.

Following the Forum, participants emphasized the need to deepen expert dialogue and develop practical proposals for cooperation aimed at enhancing the SCO and effectively realizing its strategic potential.