Non-Governmental Mechanisms

Established in 2006, the SCO Business Council has been operating as a non-governmental mechanism bringing together representatives of chambers of commerce and industry from across SCO member states with the view to expanding economic cooperation, promoting business-to-business and financial ties within the SCO and facilitating multilateral projects.

On 24 June 2026, Kyrgyzstan chaired a meeting of the Board of the SCO Business Council in Bishkek, where the Investment Forum and the SCO Business Forum also took place, bringing together the national chapters of the SCO Business Council, business leaders, and government officials from Kyrgyzstan. Participants discussed the digital transition, artificial intelligence and e-commerce, as well as green energy, technological sovereignty and expanding investment cooperation. There was also an industrial and investment exhibition.

On 21 October 2026, Dushanbe hosted the first joint meeting of the SCO Business Council’s working groups on agriculture, transport and logistics. The roundtable discussion titled SCO Transport and Logistics took place with the support of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The IBC has been operating since 2005 as a mechanism with a mission to provide financing and banking services for investment projects supported by the governments of the SCO Member States in the priority areas of cooperation. It operates as a non-governmental structure.

The SCO Interbank Consortium held its 22nd meeting on 2 July 2026 in Cholpon-Ata under Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship (Eldik Bank OJSC).

Participants discussed ways to promote interbank cooperation and introduce more joint financing tools. They adopted the SCO IBC Development Strategy for 2027-2031 and established a Working Group for ESG, Sustainable and Socially Inclusive Financing. The meeting resulted in the adoption of the Minutes.

Established in 2019, the SCO Consortium of Economic Analytical Centres has been operating as an advisory and expert platform for studying priority tracks in economic cooperation, preparing forecasts and analytical notes on specific aspects of trade and economic activity within the SCO. This consortium is formed by every SCO member state delegating one of its leading economic research centres.

On 24 February 2026, Tajikistan chaired a meeting of the consortium, during which participants chose a topic for a joint research project in 2026 by framing it the flowing way: Development of E‑Commerce in the SCO Member States as a Factor in Strengthening Regional Economic Cooperation amid Global Challenges.

The consortium met on 14 October 2026 to approve the report resulting from this study. The Secretariat circulated it among member states for further review.

By a decision of the SCO Heads of State Council in 2024, the SCO Investors Association was established and its Regulations approved. At its first meeting, held on 18 March 2025 in Astana, the Association adopted its Work Plan for 2025.