On 27 April 2026, the Fifth Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States’ Heads of Information and Communication Technology Agencies was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, under the chairmanship of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Digital Development and Innovation Technologies. Representatives from member states exchanged views on digital and ICT sector development and future cooperation.
SCO Deputy Secretary-General Oleg Kopylov stressed implementation of the 2025 Digital Transformation Action Plan to drive economic growth and technological advancement. Participants discussed digital transformation cooperation, ICT and Artificial Intelligence deployment in public administration, and key economic sectors.
Madam Zhong Zhihong, Chief Engineer (Deputy Minister-level) of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), delivered a keynote speech. She noted that China is advancing digitalization, networking, and intelligent development, with strengthened network infrastructure, accelerated AI evolution, and digital-intelligent applications empowering industries. China’s 15th Five-Year Plan will generate new momentum for sustainable development across SCO member states. China is ready to work with SCO partners to build digital infrastructure, promote AI industry growth, and share the benefits of inclusive intelligent development.
The meeting approved the Concept for the Creation of Regional Data Processing Centers, Computing Capacities, and the Development of the Artificial Intelligence Industry within the SCO Framework, and adopted the meeting minutes. Participants agreed that modern data storage and processing infrastructure is essential for technological sovereignty, digital service resilience, and scientific implementation.
On the sidelines, Mr. Kopylov and Madam Zhong discussed digital transformation, ICT and AI cooperation, and highlighted the China-SCO Big Data Cooperation Center’s role. Madam Zhong also attended the AI Forum “AI in the SCO Space: Trust and Sustainable Development,” visited a science and technology park, and held bilateral talks with delegations from relevant countries. MIIT officials and affiliated units joined related activities.
The official report did not specify which SCO member states attended. The SCO comprises ten full members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus.
Source:
https://wap.miit.gov.cn/xwfb/bldhd/art/2026/art_0aa7ddc62ec54882bf56d266fd2b425a.html
