Shanghai Cooperation Organization Media Forum opens in Bishkek
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held its 2026 Media and Think Tank Forum in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from July 27‑29. The event marked the SCO’s 25th anniversary and gathered roughly 250 representatives from 26 member and partner states, including leading media outlets, think tanks and government bodies.
Organised jointly by Kyrgyzstan’s national information agency Kabar and China’s Xinhua (Sinxua) agency, the forum’s theme was “SCO in a new era: from mutual understanding to practical cooperation.” Key speakers included Dayirbek Orunbekov, head of the Information Policy Service of the Kyrgyz Presidential Administration, who stressed that information is a powerful tool shaping public consciousness, and Kabar director Mederbek Shermetaliev, who said the forum would become a platform for new ideas and stronger strategic partnership. Participants discussed challenges such as disinformation, cybersecurity threats and the impact of digital technologies, emphasizing responsible journalism and professional analysis to build mutual trust among SCO countries.
Entities: Bishkek · Dayirbek Orunbekov · KABAR · Kabar (Kyrgyzstan National Information Agency) · Kyrgyzstan · Mederbek Shermetaliev · Shanghai Cooperation Organisation · Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) · Shanghai Cooperation Organization · Xinhua News Agency (Sinxua)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Around 250 representatives from 26 SCO member and partner states attended the forum. (multiple)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The forum aimed to strengthen information security, counter disinformation and address cybersecurity threats. (new)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The forum’s theme was “SCO in a new era: from mutual understanding to practical cooperation”. (multiple)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The 2026 SCO Media and Think Tank Forum was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on 27 July 2026. (new)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Dayirbek Orunbekov said information is the strongest tool influencing public consciousness and the future of states. (multiple)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The forum marked the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. (multiple)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The event was organized by Kyrgyzstan’s national information agency Kabar and China’s Sinxua agency. (multiple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Mederbek Shermetaliev said the forum will become an important platform for developing new ideas and strengthening strategic partnership. (multiple)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The summit gathered about 260 representatives from nearly 150 mainstream media organisations, leading think tanks, government departments and the SCO Secretariat. (single)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Xinhua think tank released a report titled “Upholding Fairness and Justice and Improving Global Governance – Achievements, Opportunities, and Prospects for SCO Cooperation”. (single)