At July's SCO Astana Summit, member states unveiled a bold economic vision: weaving together a region rich in resources, talent and innovation. What began in 2001 as a security alliance has evolved into a powerhouse of intra-regional trade and development.
Today, the SCO spans over 60% of Eurasia's landmass and 40% of its population, offering a vast market for entrepreneurs, investors and changemakers. Backed by the SCO Business Council and the Interbank Consortium, trade and investment flows are surging—and the numbers tell the story.
In 2024, trade between the Chinese mainland and SCO members, observers and dialogue partners soared to a record US$890 billion. That represents one in seven dollars of the mainland's total trade, underlining the region's growing economic heartbeat.
Infrastructure connectivity is the secret ingredient. Flagship routes like the China–Central Asia–West Asia Economic Corridor and the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway have slashed transit times and costs, fueling cross-border commerce from Almaty to Ankara.
Energy security is also on the rise. The China–Central Asia Gas Pipeline and the Eastern Russia–China Natural Gas Pipeline stabilize supply chains while "Silk Road Stations"—a new SCO initiative—are set to fill critical logistics gaps along these corridors.
Major development plans are lining up, too. China's Belt and Road Initiative now synchronizes with Kazakhstan's Bright Road Initiative and national strategies in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, forging a coherent growth roadmap.
Looking ahead, green and digital development are taking center stage. From renewable energy projects to smart infrastructure pilots, the SCO is setting the stage for a sustainable, tech-driven future that resonates with young citizens, entrepreneurs and digital nomads alike.
As the world watches, the SCO is proving that regional cooperation can unlock shared prosperity—one megaproject, one pipeline and one digital network at a time.
Reference(s):
Unleashing prosperity: How the SCO is shaping a new economic landscape
cgtn.com
