Published on: 2026-07-25
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
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Cholpon-Ata /Kyrgyzstan/, July 25 /Xinhua/ — The Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization /SCO/ member states on Friday issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to multilateral cooperation, regional security, and the construction of a more representative and inclusive multipolar world order. The full text of the document is provided below:
We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization /hereinafter – SCO or the Organization/, having considered at the meeting on July 24, 2026, in Cholpon-Ata /Kyrgyz Republic/ a wide range of issues regarding deepening cooperation in the fields of politics, security, economy, and cultural-humanitarian ties, as well as current international and regional problems, confirming that the SCO firmly adheres to the principles of non-targeting against other states and organizations, mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity of states, non-interference in internal affairs, and non-use of force or threat of force in international relations,
we declare the following:
The activities of the SCO this year are marked by the 25th anniversary of its establishment. Over the past period, the Organization has established itself as an authoritative and dynamically developing association that successfully contributes to transforming the region into a space of lasting peace and harmony. The firm commitment of the member states to the goals and principles of the SCO Charter effectively facilitates the promotion of mutually beneficial multilateral cooperation on an equal basis, ensuring the common interests and unique national development of each Organization participant.
The world is entering a new era of rapid development and large-scale transformations, accompanied by the strengthening of the positions of Global South countries, the growing role of new economic and political centers, increased interconnectedness, and the acceleration of informatization and digitalization. In this context, we confirm that the SCO member states remain committed to building a more representative, inclusive, fair, democratic, and multipolar world order, based on international law, multilateralism, peace and security, respect for cultural and civilizational diversity, and mutually beneficial cooperation among states with the central coordinating role of the UN.
Against this background, threats to global and regional security continue to intensify. We express particular concern over the developments in the Middle East and around the Islamic Republic of Iran. We reaffirm the principled position set out in the Tianjin Declaration of the Council of Heads of Member States dated September 1, 2025, condemning military strikes against Iranian territory. We consider such aggressive actions a gross violation of the principles and norms of international law and the United Nations Charter.
We once again express solidarity and sincere condolences to the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in connection with the tragic death of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, as well as to the families of the deceased.
We firmly advocate for the resolution of international conflicts exclusively through political and diplomatic means, with strict adherence to 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 confirm the position of the member states that Central Asia is the core of the SCO, and we support the efforts of the Central Asian countries aimed at ensuring peace and security in their countries and the region as a whole. We advocate for an active role of the Organization in further strengthening stability and socio-economic development of this region. We note the annual convening by the Republic of Tajikistan of an international conference on this subject.
We emphasize the importance of further strengthening joint efforts to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism, illegal drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, as well as countering the spread of religious intolerance, aggressive nationalism, xenophobia, ethnic and racial discrimination.
We firmly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, emphasize that “double standards” in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable, and call on the international community to combat terrorism, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, with the UN playing a central role.
We consider attempts to discredit the government bodies of the SCO member states unacceptable. We emphasize that such actions violate international law and undermine the principles of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in internal affairs, enshrined in the UN Charter.
We reaffirm the importance of active coordinated efforts to achieve progress in the process of nuclear disarmament and strengthening the regime of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, cooperation in the field of biosafety, and the voluntary development within the UN framework of universal norms in the field of international information security, including the use of the Internet.
We advocate for the formation of an open, fair, inclusive, equitable, and non-discriminatory digital environment based on respect for the technological sovereignty of states.
We consider attempts by individual states to ensure their own security at the expense of the security of other states unacceptable.
We emphasize that outer space must be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and call for strict compliance with the existing legal regime in this area.
We emphasize the necessity of further improving and reforming the architecture of global economic governance, strengthening an open, transparent, fair, inclusive, equitable, and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system.
We consider unilateral coercive measures, including those of an economic nature, that contradict the UN Charter and other norms of international law, as well as hinder international cooperation and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to be unacceptable.
We advocate for further expansion of mutual trade within the SCO region and for providing additional opportunities for business.
We note with concern the increasing environmental challenges and their negative impact on the environment. We emphasize the importance of intensifying efforts and cooperation within multilateral nature protection and environmental processes, including through the exchange of experience, expertise, and technologies in the field of “green” energy.
A special asset of the SCO is the unwavering commitment to strengthen friendship and mutual understanding among the peoples of our states. Respect for the cultural and civilizational diversity, historical traditions, and national characteristics of the SCO member states is a reliable foundation for strengthening constructive dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between states in order to maintain international peace, security, and promote sustainable development.
We support the efforts of the SCO member states to promote intercultural and inter-civilizational dialogue. In this regard, we note the successful holding of the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions /September 17-18, 2025, Astana/, the Issyk-Kul International Forum “Peace at a Civilizational Crossroads: Together into the Future,” dedicated to the legacy of the great writer Chingiz Aitmatov /June 18-19, 2026, Cholpon-Ata/, and the First Forum of SCO Member States on Intercultural Dialogue /June 23-25, 2026, Namangan/.
We highly appreciate the work carried out by Kyrgyzstan during its chairmanship of the SCO in 2025-2026, including the preparation for the Meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO Member States and the SCO Plus format High-Level Meeting on August 31 – September 1, 2026, in Bishkek. We especially note the fruitful and successful conduct of specialized ministerial meetings, forums, festivals, and sporting events held in the Kyrgyz Republic, the outcomes of which contributed to strengthening mutual understanding and developing partnership ties within the SCO space. We express confidence that the upcoming summit will provide additional quality and momentum to further strengthen relations of good neighborliness, friendship, cohesion, mutual trust, and mutually beneficial cooperation among the SCO member states.
Today, the SCO, relying on 25 years of accumulated practical cooperation experience, is entering a new stage of its development. A comprehensive modernization of its activities is forthcoming, taking into account current trends and realities, including the improvement of the treaty and legal framework and mechanisms for multifaceted cooperation.
The SCO will continue to firmly adhere to the principles of non-targeting against other states and organizations, maintaining openness for broad and equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation based on the principles of consensus and consideration of national interests. The organization will continue to effectively serve the high goals and objectives proclaimed at its inception, promote the strengthening of the space of peace, as well as stable economic growth within the SCO region. –0–
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