On 17–18 September 2026, Moscow hosted the SCO Conference on Best Practices in Subsoil Use: Resource Base, Development Potential and Efficiency of Use. The event was held under the auspices of the Shanghai Cooperation organization and the Supreme Mining Council of the Russian Mining Industry Association.
The Conference was attended by representatives of relevant government agencies, the academic and business communities of SCO member states, observers and dialogue partners.
Participants discussed prospects for cooperation in geological exploration, extraction and deep processing of mineral raw materials, the development of technological cooperation, attracting investment and training sectoral personnel.
SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev addressed the participants by video message. He noted the significant natural resource, scientific, technological and industrial potential of the Organization's member states, emphasising the need to harness it for the development of industrial cooperation, attracting investment and introducing modern technologies. Particular attention was given to the deep processing of raw materials and cooperation in the field of critical minerals.
Opening the plenary session "Commonwealth of Subsoil: Best Practices of SCO Participating States," SCO Deputy Secretary-General Oleg Kopylov stressed the importance of moving towards concrete areas of interaction that make it possible to pool the resources, competencies, investment and human capital of the organization's member states.
Over the two days of work, participants examined practical mechanisms of cooperation in the mining industry. Among the promising formats noted were the creation of joint ventures and consortia for the development of deposits, the implementation of interstate geological exploration and educational programmes, the development of joint expertise and the exchange of advanced technologies.
Participants also discussed initiatives to develop sectoral interaction, including the formation of a network of educational and technological centres of the SCO mining industry, expanded cooperation between national geological services, the creation of international mechanisms for the development of critical minerals and the training of joint engineering personnel.
Following the Conference, interest was noted in strengthening a permanent channel of professional interaction in the mining sector and continuing the practical elaboration of the initiatives presented. The expediency of holding sectoral events under SCO auspices on a regular basis was emphasised.
On the sidelines, SCO Secretariat representatives held working contacts with heads of several delegations to discuss the further development of sectoral cooperation within the organization.