Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev attends SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has arrived in Kyrgyzstan to participate in the 25th anniversary summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek. The summit serves as a platform for 17 leaders to discuss regional security, cultural exchanges, and economic cooperation.

Experts suggest the summit could catalyze major infrastructure and logistics projects, specifically linking the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway to the Middle Corridor via the Caspian Sea and Azerbaijan. This connection aims to enhance transit potential and trade efficiency. Additionally, the Azerbaijan–Kyrgyzstan Development Fund has seen its capital increased from $100 million to $200 million to support joint initiatives in agriculture, green energy, and digital services.

Azerbaijan’s role within the SCO is evolving. After years as a dialogue partner, the country is transitioning toward a unified “SCO partner” status. This shift reflects deepening economic ties, particularly with China, where bilateral trade turnover reached $4.874 billion in 2025, marking a 30.2% annual increase.