SCO secretary-general hails Global Governance Initiative as consistent with 'Shanghai Spirit'

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2026 is being held in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Ahead of the summit, SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev told People's Daily Online in an interview that, after 25 years of development, the SCO family has grown to encompass 27 countries across Asia, Europe and Africa.

The SCO's strong appeal stems from its adherence to the purposes and principles set out in the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Yermekbayev said, with an emphasis on mutual respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

It has consistently upheld the "Shanghai Spirit" of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for the diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development, he added, while continuously deepening cooperation to promote security, stability and sustainable development across the SCO region.

Yermekbayev noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO's founding. At this summit, the heads of state of the member countries will focus on a range of international hotspot issues, while placing particular emphasis on cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and the digital economy, seeking to commemorate this important milestone with tangible outcomes.

Yermekbayev spoke highly of China's constructive role as a founding member of the SCO. He said that the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping is highly consistent with the "Shanghai Spirit" and has received broad support within the SCO framework.