Belarusian Prime Minister Attends SCO Heads of Government Meeting in Moscow

Belarusian PM Joins SCO Leaders in Moscow

On November 18, 2025, Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin participated in the 24th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, held in Moscow. The high-level gathering brought together leaders and senior officials from the SCO's ten full member states, as well as representatives from dialogue partners, observers, and various international organizations. The meeting, chaired by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, focused on strengthening multilateral cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas.

Key Outcomes and Strategic Directives

The meeting concluded with the adoption of a Joint Communiqué and the signing of several crucial documents aimed at advancing the SCO's collective agenda. Among the significant agreements were a roadmap for cooperation in social development for 2026-2028 and a plan for implementing the concept of interaction among SCO member states' railway administrations. A notable protocol was also signed, allowing annual contributions to the SCO budget to be paid in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, reflecting a broader trend towards de-dollarization within the bloc. The leaders also approved the Organization's budget for the upcoming year and decisions related to the implementation of the Program of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Broadening Cooperation Horizons

Discussions at the summit covered extensive measures for the comprehensive implementation of the SCO Development Strategy up to 2035. Significant attention was dedicated to expanding trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian ties. Specific areas of cooperation highlighted included:

• Digital economy
• Energy and the green agenda
• Artificial intelligence and innovation
• Education, culture, and tourism
• Healthcare, sports, and youth contacts

The leaders also explored ways to strengthen the economic dimension of the SCO's activities, including proposals for building an extensive and competitive network of logistics routes across Eurasia and increasing the share of national currencies in commercial transactions among member states.

Belarus's Enhanced Role and Proposals

Belarus, which officially became the tenth full member of the SCO in July 2024, played an active role in the discussions. Prime Minister Turchin's participation underscored Belarus's commitment to its 'pivot to the East' foreign policy. The Belarusian delegation specifically raised issues concerning countering sanctions, the creation of an independent financial institution, and promoting the initiative of 'integration of integrations.' Belarus views its full membership as a significant opportunity to enhance its sovereignty, gain access to new markets, reduce dependence on Western markets, and strengthen political support against external pressures. As the only European country with full SCO membership, Belarus's involvement is seen as crucial for its development and influence on the international stage.