On July 18, 2026, the 19th Meeting of the Youth Council of the SCO was held in Bishkek as part of the Kyrgyz Republic’s chairmanship of the SCO in 2025–2026.
The meeting was attended by Ulan Mamatkanov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Soyuzbek Nadyrbekov, First Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy, Piao Yangfan, Deputy Secretary-General of the SCO, M. Alymbekov, Member of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic, representatives of government bodies, heads of the national sections of the SCO Youth Council, and invited guests.
Representatives of SCOLAR Network and SCOLAR Bishkek Hub participated in the meeting as guests, representing a youth community actively contributing to international cooperation, educational initiatives, and intercultural dialogue across the SCO region.
During the meeting, Ruslan Maratbekovich Rakhimov, Rector of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic named after K. Dikambaev, as well as the Coordinator of the SCO Youth Council in the Kyrgyz Republic, highlighted the activities of SCOLAR Network aimed at bringing together young leaders, supporting youth initiatives, and implementing projects across the SCO region.
In his opening remarks, U. E. Mamatkanov emphasized the importance of expanding youth participation in sustainable development processes and equipping the younger generation with modern competencies, including digital skills, innovative thinking, and entrepreneurial abilities.
Particular attention was given to strengthening cooperation among SCO member states in the fields of education, science, and innovation. The Kyrgyz Republic proposed intensifying joint youth projects and research in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, robotics, medicine, and ecology, as well as enhancing cooperation among universities and research institutions across the Organization member states.
Participation in the meeting provided SCOLAR Network with an important opportunity to present the results of its work, strengthen engagement with the SCO Youth Council, and reaffirm its commitment to advancing international youth cooperation.
Following the meeting, the chairmanship of the SCO Youth Council was transferred to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
SCO Youth Council Opens in Bishkek | The Shanghai cooperation organisation