Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, President of Mongolia, departed today to participate as an observer in the extended meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States, scheduled to take place in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, from August 31 to September 1, 2026.

In addition to delivering a speech at the extended meeting, President Khurelsukh will meet with the heads of state of SCO member and dialogue partner countries to exchange views on bilateral relations, cooperation, and issues of mutual interest.

Established in 2001 by countries including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the SCO now encompasses 27 nations.

Initially founded to resolve border and territorial disputes and build mutual trust, the organization has expanded into an institution that promotes regional cooperation by:

Strengthening trust, friendship, and cooperation among member states;
Developing cooperation to ensure peace, security, and stability in the region;
Combating terrorism, separatism, extremism, and the illicit trafficking of drugs and weapons;
Supporting regional cooperation in politics, trade, economy, defense, environment, culture, science and technology, education, energy, transport, finance, and other sectors.
China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, India, Iran, and Belarus are full SCO members, while Mongolia and Afghanistan hold observer status.

Fifteen countries, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bahrain, Egypt, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Türkiye , Maldives, and Laos, serve as dialogue partners.

The Council of Heads of State, the Council of Heads of Government, the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and the Council of National Coordinators convene annually.

At last year's Tianjin Summit, leaders approved the "SCO Development Strategy for 2026-2035," defining the priorities and objectives for cooperation over the next decade.

The SCO actively collaborates with international and regional organizations, including the UN and its specialized agencies, ASEAN, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the International Red Cross, and global tourism organizations.

Published Date:2026-08-30