On 15 May, a meeting of heads of regions from the SCO member states was held in Chongqing in the People's Republic of China. The event was dedicated to the provision of openness and inclusivity in order to create new opportunities for SCO regional cooperation.
The meeting was attended by over 200 guests, including representatives of about 30 regions of SCO member states, and observer states, as well as representatives from the SCO Business Council.
In his welcoming remarks to the meeting participants, SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov noted that "this event will undoubtedly make an important contribution to the rapidly developing economic cooperation and cultural exchange and broaden the dialogue between the regions of the SCO countries."
The meeting agenda also included the following panel discussions: a trade and investment forum — joint construction and enjoyment; pilot free-trade zones; and cultural and tourist presentations on the theme of the Magnificent New Silk Road.
One of the items on the agenda was the opening ceremony of the second Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT) held in Chongqing International Expo Centre between 16 and 19 May. Agreements on cooperation within the WCIFIT with the contractual value of 337.53 billion yuan were signed during the ceremony.
The delegates also visited a number of the city's industrial facilities and took part in the opening of the SCO-Chongqing Railway Express.
In Astana on 9 June 2017, SCO member states welcomed the initiative to establish an SCO Regional Heads' Forum.
At the Qingdao summit meeting on 10 June 2018, heads of the SCO member states championed an active development of cooperation between the regions and administrative and territorial units of the Shanghai Eight.
In Chelyabinsk on 5 December 2018, heads of the SCO member states held an introductory meeting.