On July 27–28, 2026, the Forum of Media and Analytical Centers of the SCO Member States was held at the Ala-Archa State Residence in Bishkek, as part of the Kyrgyz Republic's chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The event was organized by the Kabar Kyrgyz National Information Agency jointly with the Xinhua News Agency of the People's Republic of China.
Approximately 250 representatives from SCO member states, observer states, and dialogue partners, as well as heads of leading national news agencies, editors-in-chief, representatives of major media outlets, analytical centers, relevant government bodies, and international organizations from 26 countries, along with representatives of the SCO Secretariat, took part in the Forum.
The main theme of the Forum was "The SCO in a New Era: From Mutual Understanding to Practical Cooperation."
During the opening ceremony, addresses were delivered by Dairbek Orunbekov, Head of the Information Policy Service of the Administration of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic; Mederbek Shermetaliev, Director of the Kabar Kyrgyz National Information Agency; Xi Yanchun, Deputy Director General of the Xinhua News Agency; Liu Jiangping, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kyrgyz Republic; a representative of the SCO Secretariat; as well as heads of news agencies from SCO member states.
In his speech, Dairbek Orunbekov noted that amid the rapid development of technology and enormous information flows, the role of journalists and the expert community has grown significantly. He emphasized that information is currently one of the most powerful tools influencing public opinion and the future of states.
He stressed that modern media require promptness, objectivity, and in-depth analysis. In his view, it is quality journalism that helps strengthen trust between states and convey to society the significance of major infrastructure, transport, and investment projects being implemented in the region.
The representative of the SCO Secretariat noted in his address that the permanent body of the SCO consistently pays close attention to the positive positioning of the SCO in the global media space, provides comprehensive information support for the Organization's activities, and maintains the official website and social media accounts (Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, WeChat, Weibo).
During the plenary sessions and thematic discussions, participants exchanged views on the development of a common information space of the SCO, improving the quality of expert support for the Organization's activities, countering the spread of false information, and strengthening humanitarian and public ties among member states.
The Summit confirmed the relevance of ongoing dialogue between representatives of the media community and expert circles of the SCO countries. Participants expressed their readiness to expand practical cooperation, strengthen professional contacts, and jointly promote the formation of a fair, open, and multipolar international information space.
The Forum became an important event within the framework of the Kyrgyz Republic's chairmanship of the SCO in 2025–2026 and made a tangible contribution to the preparations for the upcoming meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Bishkek.