Türkiye's Erdogan arrives in Kyrgyzstan for SCO summit

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye arrived in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek on Monday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, marking a key diplomatic engagement in Central Asia as Ankara deepens its institutional ties with the regional bloc. The Turkish leader was welcomed at Manas International Airport by Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev and Türkiye's Ambassador to Bishkek Mekin Mustafa Kemal Okem upon his arrival in the Central Asian state.

Cultural and diplomatic program

First lady Emine Erdogan is accompanying the president on the working visit, which includes high-level bilateral meetings alongside the multilateral summit proceedings. Erdogan is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games at Bishkek Arena later on Monday, an event that showcases traditional sports and cultural heritage of nomadic civilizations across the region.

Regional cooperation framework

Türkiye holds dialogue partner status within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which comprises China, Russia, India, Pakistan and four Central Asian republics. The Bishkek gathering brings together leaders from member states and observer countries to discuss regional security architecture and economic connectivity initiatives, according to the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry.