Bishkek, May 28, 2026. /Kabar/. Erlist Akunbekov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, participated in the 5th Forum of regional heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States and meeting of sister city mayors on the topic: "Interregional Partnership in the SCO: 25 Years of Joint Development."
Speaking at the event, Erlist Akunbekov noted that over the past quarter century, the SCO has become one of the largest and most authoritative platforms for cooperation in the Eurasian region. He emphasized that regions and cities have become the practical foundation of partnership, through which specific projects are being implemented, trade and economic ties are developing, and contacts between the business communities and peoples of the countries are strengthening.
"Over the past four years, trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and the SCO countries has increased 2.2-fold. Large infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening regional connectivity are of particular importance to us. Kyrgyzstan is actively implementing large-scale projects such as the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, the new Bedel checkpoint on the Kyrgyz-Chinese border, the construction of the Barskoon-Bedel highway, and number of major energy projects. These projects are of strategic importance not only for Kyrgyzstan, but for the entire SCO region," stated the Deputy Chairman.
Erlist Akunbekov also spoke about Kyrgyzstan's economic development in recent years and called on all interested forum participants to create new opportunities for growth and mutually beneficial cooperation within the SCO region, reaffirming Kyrgyzstan's readiness to continue actively developing interregional cooperation within the Organization.
5th Forum of regional heads of SCO Member States were attended by heads of delegations consisting of high-ranking officials from the SCO Secretariat, Belarus, India, Iran, China, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Participants discussed support for joint projects and initiatives aimed at strengthening economic ties, increasing the investment attractiveness of regions, and promoting sustainable development.