On August 31, 2026, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, heads of delegations who arrived to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, including Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev, took part in the official opening ceremony of the VI World Nomad Games at the Bishkek Arena stadium.
The event was attended by the heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states, as well as the President of Mongolia (an observer state), who was invited to the "SCO Plus" meeting, the heads of a number of SCO dialogue partner states, guests of the presiding side – the Vice President of Vietnam and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Togolese Republic, and senior officials of the executive bodies of international organizations – the UN, CSTO, CIS, and EAEU.
Welcoming the participants and guests, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, noted that the World Nomad Games are a prominent event on the international sports and cultural calendar, showcasing the richness of the historical and cultural heritage of the peoples of Central Asia and other regions.
The World Nomad Games bring together traditional sports, national games, and cultural traditions of peoples historically connected to nomadic civilization. Teams from various countries around the world, including SCO member states, compete in the Games. The hosting of the Games contributes to strengthening mutual understanding among peoples, developing humanitarian contacts, and promoting the ideals of friendship, mutual respect, and good-neighborliness.
The ceremony has a special symbolism by being held at the new Bishkek Arena stadium – one of the largest sports facilities in Kyrgyzstan. Opening the stadium on the occasion of such a major international event underscores the country's commitment to expanding its sports infrastructure and strengthening international ties in sports.
During the ceremony, a large-scale cultural and sports program was presented, reflecting the diversity of traditions and national cultures of the participating countries of the World Nomad Games.