The Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Nurlan Yermekbayev, delivered a welcoming address in the form of a video message at the electoral forum "Modern Approaches to Electoral Participation: From Theory to Practice," which took place in Cholpon-Ata on June 26, 2025.
In his welcome, the SCO Secretary-General noted that the organization of the electoral forum demonstrates the desire of the leadership of the Kyrgyz Republic to provide a unique platform for professional dialogue on pressing issues of electoral system development with the aim of further improving the electoral process. The SCO welcomes and supports this initiative of Kyrgyzstan.
Nurlan Yermekbayev emphasized that election observation is one of the functions of the Organization, which over a quarter of a century has transformed into an authoritative international association, formed a solid regulatory and legal framework and interaction mechanisms, and established partnerships with states, international organizations, and structures that share common principles and values.
The Secretary-General stated that work is currently underway to prepare and substantively fill the upcoming meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO Member States, which will take place this autumn in Tianjin.
The Secretary-General expressed hope that the Cholpon-Ata electoral forum will play an important role in generating new ideas and initiatives, as well as in fully unleashing the potential of the electoral process in SCO member states.