The Meeting of Ministers of Culture of the SCO Member States (MMC) is the primary mechanism for multilateral cooperation in the field of culture. Its work focuses on intercultural exchanges, as well as the preservation and promotion of the rich tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The MMC has been held regularly since 2002.
In accordance with the Agreement between the Governments of the SCO Member States on Cooperation in Culture (Bishkek, 16 August 2007), the parties cooperate in the following areas: music, theatre and fine arts; cinema; archival, library and museum affairs; protection of cultural heritage sites; folk crafts and decorative arts; amateur, variety performance and circus arts; and other creative activities.
The MMC held 22 sessions to date.
The 22nd Meeting of the SCO Ministers of Culture was held in Qingdao on 7 July 2025 in a hybrid format, under the chairmanship of the People’s Republic of China. A protocol was signed at the meeting, and the List of Cultural Exchange Events within the SCO for 2025 was approved.
The Kyrgyz Republic assumed the chairmanship of the MMC for 2025 and 2026.