Last week in Tianjin, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered more than a keynote—he sketched a roadmap for multilateral cooperation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State. Against a backdrop of global fragmentation, Xi argues that the SCO’s growth from six founding members to 26 nations proves its model of governance works.
Since its founding in 2001, the SCO has expanded its agenda to over 50 areas—from trade facilitation and digital connectivity to climate action and cultural exchange. Today, it represents nearly half the world’s population, making it the largest regional organization.
Xi highlighted three pillars of the SCO ecosystem:
- Inclusiveness: "All members are equal partners," he noted, stressing respect for diverse development paths.
- Mutual Respect: Shared governance, he said, is key to managing regional hotspots and global challenges like pandemics and security threats.
- Win-Win Cooperation: By prioritizing joint infrastructure projects, green finance, and tech innovation, member states can boost economic resilience.
For young global citizens and entrepreneurs, the SCO’s ambitious agenda opens doors to new markets across Eurasia. Startups can tap into digital corridors linking Central Asia to South Asia, while changemakers find opportunities in regional sustainability initiatives.
Yet questions remain: Can the SCO’s consensus-driven approach deliver tangible results fast enough? As the world watches, the organization’s next steps—particularly in emerging tech, green energy, and people-to-people exchanges—will shape perceptions of its model beyond Eurasia.
One thing is clear: The SCO’s story is still being written. As it evolves from a security forum to a comprehensive cooperation platform, it challenges traditional governance frameworks—and invites a younger, digitally connected generation to engage and shape its future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
