On February 27, 2026, in Shanghai, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Nurlan Yermekbayev delivered an open lecture to young medical professionals of Ruijin Hospital and students of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
The lecture was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, covering the history of its establishment, its current activities, and prospects for development. The Secretary-General emphasized that over the course of a quarter century, the SCO has evolved from a regional interaction mechanism into one of the largest transregional platforms, uniting states with a combined population of over 3.4 billion people. He also spoke about the principles of the "Shanghai Spirit" that underpin the Organization's activities — mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, respect for cultural diversity, and the pursuit of shared development.
Nurlan Yermekbayev informed the audience about the strengthening of humanitarian, scientific, and educational ties within the SCO, including cooperation in the healthcare sector. He noted that medical partnerships, exchange of advanced technologies, development of telemedicine, personnel training, and implementation of joint research projects are gaining particular significance in the context of global challenges.
The Secretary-General underscored the importance of engaging university and expert communities in shaping the Organization's intellectual agenda, expressing confidence that the younger generation of doctors and researchers would become a driving force across the SCO space.
He also highlighted the outcomes of the Organization's Summit in Tianjin in September 2025, the adoption of the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, and the priorities of the current chairmanship of the Kyrgyz Republic under the motto "25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards a Sustainable World, Development, and Prosperity."
The series of open lectures being delivered by the Secretary-General and his deputies in commemoration of the SCO's 25th anniversary aligns with the Organization's course toward developing dialogue with the academic and professional community, as well as supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening multilateral scientific and humanitarian cooperation. The lectures are conducted in accordance with the Secretariat's Plan for celebrating the 25th anniversary of the SCO and are dedicated to this momentous occasion.