President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said at the expanded meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation held in Bishkek that Türkiye has adopted an approach based on dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts in its region. Erdoğan said the SCO could play a more active role in transport corridors and energy security.
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 to non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.
The SCO's role in a multipolar order
Erdoğan said the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation represents approximately 3.5 billion people and a gross domestic product of $35 trillion, adding that the organisation had become, over 25 years, an integral part of the multipolar world order.
Erdoğan said he considered it important that the summit address the SCO's contribution to the emergence of a multipolar international system. Describing the organisation as a structure that brings the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East together on the same platform and supports the United Nations, Erdoğan said the SCO was compatible with Türkiye's multidimensional foreign policy approach.
Linking the Middle Corridor with the Belt and Road Initiative
Erdoğan said the SCO could contribute not only to preserving peace and stability but also to establishing uninterrupted and secure transport corridors and ensuring energy security, adding that Türkiye plays an important role in these areas.
Erdoğan said Türkiye facilitates the access of countries in the SCO's geographical area to Western markets, diversifies energy corridors, and helps manage geopolitical risks. He announced that they support linking the Middle Corridor initiative with the Belt and Road Initiative. He said Türkiye would work to develop cooperation with the SCO in every field.
Invitation to the COP31 summit in Antalya
Erdoğan said the goal of a fair world order requires leaving future generations a more stable, prosperous, and liveable world. He said climate change, irregular migration, terrorism, transnational crime, and food security pose threats to many countries, adding that Türkiye aims to contribute to efforts to combat the adverse effects of climate change.
Reminding participants that Türkiye will host the COP31 summit in Antalya on November 11–12, 2026, Erdoğan invited them to attend the summit. He 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 rotating presidency from Kyrgyzstan.
Warning on Gaza and Lebanon
Erdoğan said the Mecca defence alliance, which he said was established together with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, would contribute to strengthening peace and stability on the basis of regional responsibility and collective deterrence. He also addressed regional security issues.
Erdoğan said Gaza and Lebanon must not be forgotten while peace is being discussed. He said 74,000 people had lost their lives in Gaza and Lebanon as a result of Israel's attacks, adding that most of those killed were women and children. Erdoğan said the entire region was paying the price for this policy.
