PHNOM PENH, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Leaders' Summit is expected to deepen regional cooperation in security, energy, economic connectivity, and digital transformation to drive shared development and prosperity, a Cambodian expert told Xinhua recently.
The summit is scheduled to take place from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, a think tank under the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that the high-level meeting will likely focus on practical security collaboration, economic integration, digital transformation, climate resilience, artificial intelligence (AI) and institutional reform.
"I expect the summit to reinforce cooperation against terrorism, extremism, transnational crime, and cyber threats, while promoting transport, energy, and green development," he told Xinhua in an interview.
Founded in 2001, the SCO is a regional political, economic, and security organization. Since its establishment, the group has expanded to comprise 10 member states, two observer countries, and 15 dialogue partners.
Phea emphasized that the SCO has evolved into both a solid pillar of global peace and development, and a major driving force for international equity and justice.
He noted that the summit will advance stronger strategic coordination in transport, trade, energy, and investment, as major member states seek a more unified and powerful SCO voice in global governance.
However, Phea also cautioned that as the international landscape becomes more turbulent, the SCO must navigate expanding geopolitical tensions, diverse member interests, and increasingly complex non-traditional threats.
"Terrorism, extremism, transnational crime, cyberattacks, climate change, and pandemics transcend national borders," he said.
He added that the SCO must address these shared challenges through enhanced information sharing, preventive diplomacy, law-enforcement cooperation, and rapid-response mechanisms.
The expert said the SCO must remain open and non-confrontational, anchor its actions in the United Nations Charter and international law, and strengthen coordination with the United Nations, ASEAN, and other regional bodies through dialogue rather than confrontation.
He noted that dialogue partners like Cambodia hope for more inclusive participation, capacity building, people-to-people exchanges, and closer institutional cooperation among the SCO, ASEAN, and the United Nations.
"Ultimately, all parties want the Bishkek Summit to translate the 'Shanghai Spirit' into measurable projects that promote shared security, development, and prosperity," he said. ■