International scholars have praised the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025, held in Tianjin from Aug. 31 to Sept.1, noting that it has drawn a promising blueprint for the organization’s future development by yielding a series of cooperative outcomes.

As one of China’s most important head-of-state and host-country diplomatic events this year, the Tianjin Summit marked the fifth time China has hosted the SCO Summit and the largest gathering since the organization’s establishment. Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO and delivered an important speech titled “Staying True to SCO Founding Mission and Ushering in a Better Future.” Additionally, President Xi addressed the “SCO Plus” Meeting with a speech titled “Pooling the Strength of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to Improve Global Governance,” during which he put forward the “Global Governance Initiative,” drawing significant attention from international academia.

‘SCO family’ expanding

After a seven-year interval, China once again assumed the organization’s rotating presidency, with the Tianjin Summit carrying immense expectations.

On June 15, 2001, the heads of state of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan signed the Declaration on the Establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Shanghai, marking the birth of a new regional multilateral cooperation body that embodied hope for closer international collaboration.

The 2025 SCO Tianjin Summit, which gathered over 20 foreign leaders and 10 heads of international organizations, opened a new chapter of promise. Leaders of member states signed and issued the Tianjin Declaration, approved a development strategy for 2026–2035, and issued a statement on the 80th anniversary of victory in WWII and the founding of the United Nations, as well as a statement reaffirming support for the WTO-centered multilateral trading system. They also adopted 24 outcome documents on strengthening cooperation in sectors such as security, economy, cultural exchange, and organizational building.

Following the summit closely, Yersultan Zhanseitov, a senior research fellow from the Institute of World Economics and Politics in Kazakhstan, stated that the Tianjin Summit witnessed an important moment in the history of SCO development.

Over the past 24 years, the SCO has grown into the world’s largest regional organization, comprising 10 member states, 2 observer states, and 14 dialogue partners spanning three continents—a true “big family.” “This growth reflects the objective need of the countries of Eurasia and Africa to search for new models of mutual development, where mutual respect, shared benefit, and strategic trust are key values. It is foreseeable that ‘SCO family’ will continue to expand,” Zhanseitov remarked.John Milligan-Whyte, chairman of the America-China Partnership Foundation, noted that the agenda of the 2025 Tianjin Summit was rich and diverse, encompassing the deepening of economic and infrastructure cooperation, expansion of scientific and technological collaboration, enhanced cultural and youth exchange, adoption of 2026–2035 strategic development roadmaps, and the strengthening of international partnerships.

“The Summit’s agenda exemplifies the SCO’s constructive roles in regional economic development and world governance,” Milligan-Whyte articulated.

Fostering new forces for growth

At the “SCO Plus” Astana Summit in Kazakhstan in July 2024, President Xi proposed designating 2025 the “SCO Year of Sustainable Development,” highlighting the need to “focus on fostering new forces for growth.” This initiative received strong support from all member states. The digital economy and green industries have since been regarded as two major engines of regional development and have become key topics at the SCO Tianjin Summit.

Notably, the Tianjin Summit was the first at which all venues were powered entirely by green energy. “For the SCO, this means further deepening practical cooperation, from security coordination to joint work on the green economy and digital technologies. China, with a strong and dynamically developing economy, is able to offer its partners unique opportunities for innovative growth, which in the long term will strengthen the organization’s authority as a global hub for cooperation,” Zhanseitov commented.

The digital economy will help member states embrace innovation, expand e-commerce, and promote cross-border digital connectivity, making modern services more accessible to ordinary citizens, Zhanseitov continued. Meanwhile, the green economy will steer the region toward cleaner energy, eco-friendly industries, and sustainable agriculture, ensuring that development is both inclusive and environmentally responsible.

These efforts, he added, demonstrate the SCO’s commitment to a people-centered approach, enabling member states to leverage new technologies and green solutions for the benefit of present and future generations

Milligan-Whyte pointed out that sustainable development and climate cooperation within the SCO’s agenda align with the UN’s sustainable development, climate action, and peace building goals, underscoring the SCO’s commitment to addressing global challenges.

“The SCO is broadening its agenda to encompass new areas of cooperation.” Looking ahead, Milligan-Whyte expressed the expectation that future discussions will address the digital economy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, green technologies, and energy transition—sectors that reflect global trends and inject fresh strategic momentum into regional collaboration.

“Growing attention to crisis management, public health, education, and joint scientific innovation further highlights the SCO’s enhanced capacity for cross-sectoral governance and sustainable development,” Milligan-Whyte concluded.