On 28–29 May 2026, a delegation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretariat, led by Deputy Secretary-General Sohail Khan, took part in the V Eurasian Economic Forum themed "The EAEU in the Global Digital Race: Bet on Artificial Intelligence" in Astana.
The Forum was held as part of the Republic of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the EAEU bodies. The programme included approximately 30 thematic sessions dedicated to current issues of economic development, integration cooperation, and the expansion of partnership ties both within the EAEU and with third countries and international organizations. A specialized exhibition "Development of Artificial Intelligence in the EAEU" was also held as part of the Forum.
The central event of the programme was a plenary session with the participation of heads of EAEU member states, observer states, and heads of international organizations, opened by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In his address, the Head of State noted the significance of the EAEU as an important subject of the global economy, emphasized the need to further strengthen the Union's integration potential, enhance the resilience of member states' economies to external challenges, and expand cooperation in the field of digital transformation and the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies.
SCO Deputy Secretary-General Sohail Khan took part in the plenary session and also spoke at two thematic sessions: "Integration Without Barriers: Dialogue of Associations to Strengthen Economic Ties" and "The International Climate Agenda: Challenges and Opportunities for the EAEU."
In his remarks Sohail Khan underscored the SCO's commitment to the principles of an open, fair, and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system, the development of transport connectivity, digital transformation, and the introduction of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence.
Special attention was paid to issues of sustainable development and the environmental agenda, as well as to expanding practical cooperation between the SCO and international and regional associations.
The Eurasian Economic Forum is an annual business event of the Eurasian Economic Union, held alternately in the EAEU state that holds the chairmanship in the Union's bodies — the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, and the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission.
The event is aimed at heads of large, medium, and small businesses from member states and third countries, as well as representatives of government bodies and international organizations.