On January 21, 2026, at the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Beijing, Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev met with the Director of the Center for Russian and Central Asian Studies at the Shanghai Academy of International Studies Ms. Qiang Xiaoyun.

The Secretary-General noted the active role of the Center, the Academy, and personally the President of the Academy, Mr. Chen Dongxiao, in organizing research and analytical events on SCO topics, including those with the participation of the Secretariat. He emphasized that the International Scientific Seminar "Women's Perspective on the SCO," organized annually by the Academy together with the SCO Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Committee of China, has gained high recognition within the SCO space.

On May 21-22, 2025, representatives of the Secretariat took part in the meeting of the XX SCO Forum in New Delhi, where participants exchanged opinions on a wide range of issues, including enhancing the effectiveness of multilateral cooperation in providing expert and analytical support for the SCO's activities. Nurlan Yermekbayev expressed readiness to support the efforts of the expert community of the SCO member states to improve existing mechanisms and adapt them to current realities.

The Secretary-General also expressed support for the initiatives of the Center, including a series of events this year at the Shanghai Academy of International Studies dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the SCO's establishment.

Qiang Xiaoyun provided information about the activities of the Center, as well as the Academy, in the field of regional and international analysis, SCO research, and scientific exchanges among research centers of the Organization's member states.

Parties agreed to maintain close working contacts, including in the context of holding events dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Organization.