President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s expanded meeting in Bishkek that Türkiye had adopted a policy based on dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts around the country.
Speaking at the Irys Ordo Congress Centre in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Erdoğan expressed his condolences for those who lost their lives in the natural disaster in Nepal. He thanked Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and those who contributed to organising the summit.
Erdoğan also congratulated Laos on gaining dialogue partner status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. He wished Kyrgyzstan success following its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.
The SCO’s growing role in a multipolar order
Erdoğan said he considered it important that the summit addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s contribution to the formation of a multipolar international system, adding that the organisation had become an integral part of the multipolar world order over the past 25 years.
Erdoğan described the SCO, which represents approximately 3.5 billion people and a gross domestic product of $35 trillion, as an organisation that brings the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East together on the same platform and supports the United Nations. He said the organisation was compatible with Türkiye’s approach to a multidimensional foreign policy.
Cooperation on corridors and energy security
Erdoğan said the SCO could play an important role not only in strengthening peace and stability but also in creating uninterrupted and secure transport corridors and ensuring energy security. He added that Türkiye would develop cooperation with the organisation in every field.
Erdoğan said Türkiye facilitated the access of countries in the SCO’s geographical area to Western markets, diversified energy corridors and assumed a critical role in managing geopolitical risks. He announced that Türkiye supports linking the Middle Corridor with the Belt and Road Initiative.
Invitation to COP31 in Antalya
Erdoğan said the goal of a fair world order required leaving future generations a more stable, prosperous and liveable world. He added that climate change, irregular migration, terrorism, transnational crime and food security posed threats to many countries.
Erdoğan said Türkiye aimed to contribute to efforts to combat the adverse effects of climate change. He recalled that Antalya would host the COP31 summit on 11–12 November 2026 and invited those attending the meeting to the summit.
Erdoğan said he believed the SCO would contribute to building a multipolar world in line with the “Shanghai spirit” and wished Pakistan success as it takes over the organisation’s rotating presidency from Kyrgyzstan.
Call for Gaza and Lebanon
Erdoğan said the Mecca defence alliance, which he said was formed together with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, would contribute to strengthening peace and stability based on the principles of regional responsibility and collective deterrence.
Erdoğan said Gaza and Lebanon must not be forgotten when peace is discussed, stating that 74,000 people had lost their lives in Gaza and Lebanon as a result of Israel’s attacks. He said most of those who died were women and children and that the entire region was paying the price for this policy.
