On August 31 – September 1 in Bishkek, Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission's Board, took part in the SCO Plus Summit.

State leaders and heads of international organizations considered a wide range of issues of economic cooperation. Strategic vectors for the development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization were identified, and new joint initiatives were agreed upon.

The key topic of the discussion was the association modernization, timed to coincide with its 25th anniversary under the motto “25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards a Sustainable World, Development and Prosperity”.

The summit participants discussed the improvement of payment systems and investment platforms, as well as the introduction of digital standards and new technologies in the economy and public administration.

Particular attention was paid to developing transit corridors and enhancing transport connectivity in Central Asia.

The countries of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization constitute the core of the Eurasian space. Their interaction largely determines the vector of the region’s further development.  The EEC and the SCO Secretariat interact based on the relevant memorandum.

Following the summit, the Heads of State adopted the Bishkek Declaration. The document contemplates a transition to the practical implementation of major multilateral projects within the SCO, including through the use of modern digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

The SCO brings together ten Member States: Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.  The meeting in Bishkek was also attended by Heads of Dialogue Partner and Observer States, interested countries, executive bodies of a number of international organizations and associations.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the EEC and the SCO Secretariat was signed in 2021.