SCO Heads of Government Meet in Moscow, Approve Key Economic and Cooperation Decisions

Moscow: The 24th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO CHG) was held on November 18, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Russian Federation.

The “restricted” session brought together senior representatives from all SCO member states, including leaders and high-level officials from Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, along with SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev and RATS Executive Committee Director Ularbek Sharsheev.

The heads of government reviewed global economic developments and discussed ways to enhance the SCO’s economic cooperation mechanisms. Delegates exchanged views on pressing issues of the organization’s agenda, stressing practical cooperation and improving the effectiveness of SCO structures.

The expanded-format meeting included the participation of the heads of government of Mongolia and Qatar, as well as senior representatives from Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Turkmenistan, and officials from the SCO, CIS, EAEU, CICA, the SCO Business Council, and the SCO Interbank Consortium. Discussions highlighted promising areas of trade, economic, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation and the potential role of partner states.

SCO Secretary-General Yermekbayev underscored the importance of consolidating efforts to strengthen sectoral cooperation and ensuring the implementation of initiatives endorsed by the leaders. Participants noted that favorable conditions and preferences for member states, progress toward establishing the SCO Development Bank, and broader involvement of commercial banks would help secure more tangible practical results.

Reports were also presented on the 2024–2025 activities of the SCO Business Council and the SCO Interbank Consortium.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the heads of government adopted a Joint Communiqué and signed several decisions related to multilateral trade and economic cooperation, railway transport development, and social protection. The Organization’s budget for the next year was approved.

It was agreed that Tajikistan will host the next SCO CHG meeting in 2026.

Following the session, Secretary-General Yermekbayev provided comments to the media.