The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Held a Meeting Resembling a Show of Force

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The foundations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) were laid in 1996 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan within the framework of border security and economic cooperation. Initially known as the "Shanghai Five," this formation became a permanent international organization on June 15, 2001, when the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan established it in Shanghai. At the 2002 meeting of the Council of Heads of State in St. Petersburg, the SCO Charter was signed and entered into force on September 19, 2003.

The number of member states increased to eight with the accession of India and Pakistan at the Astana Summit on June 9, 2017. Iran, previously an observer, became a full member on September 17, 2021, raising the number of members to nine. Most recently, on July 2, 2024, Belarus was admitted as a full member, transforming the "Shanghai Five" into the "Shanghai Ten." The SCO currently has two observer states: the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Mongolia.

On September 1, 2025, the SCO held its most broadly attended summit to date, the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State, in Tianjin, China. President Erdoğan participated as the representative of Türkiye, which holds the status of dialogue partner. The summit agenda emphasized the reconfiguration of the international order that emerged after World War II and the new security concerns arising from the evolving global system. The event was perceived as a platform signaling a message of "We are also here" against the security- and trade-centered restructuring of the world order led by the United Kingdom, the United States, and Israel.

The decisions adopted at the summit, particularly the Tianjin Declaration of September 1, 2025, stand out as a comprehensive document presenting the SCO’s vision for the international system. The declaration recalled the post–World War II order and emphasized the need for a United Nations (UN)-centered, fair, multipolar, and inclusive global order in the face of today’s geopolitical instabilities and security threats. It called for collective action against terrorism, extremism, separatism, drug trafficking, and transnational crime, while also urging international cooperation on issues such as conflicts in the Middle East, security concerns regarding Iran, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and political instability in Afghanistan.

On the economic front, the declaration highlighted trade, investment, digital economy, energy security, and transport corridors across Eurasia, with the “Belt and Road Initiative” as the central framework. The significance of this initiative for the global economy was underlined, along with references to Russia’s earlier proposal to expand the use of local currencies, the need to address the hegemony of the dollar and euro, the establishment of an SCO Development Bank, and the formulation of joint strategies for a fair energy transition. These efforts aim to prevent the suppression of Eastern labor and production under dollar and euro dominance and to explore solutions for a more balanced global economy. The use of the dollar and euro as instruments of political sanctions was also addressed, particularly in light of Russia’s experience during the ongoing war in Ukraine.

In the technological sphere, proposals were made for cooperative mechanisms to ensure the peaceful, transparent, and secure use of artificial intelligence, a transformative force in contemporary professions, by SCO member states. On the social and cultural level, the declaration called for strengthening interaction among societies in education, health, tourism, youth, and culture. Environmental protection, climate change, and sustainable development were also identified as key priorities.

The 2026–2035 Strategy Document outlined a roadmap for the SCO’s institutional development and reaffirmed its vision of “peace, development, and prosperity” as it approaches its 25th anniversary. In terms of transport and trade routes, the North–South and East–West corridors and new railway projects (such as the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan line) were supported, highlighting the importance of Turkic states like Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in commercial networks. Other economic measures included the digitalization of customs, the introduction of “smart customs” practices, and cooperation on agricultural and food security—steps also viewed as part of China’s growing e-commerce expansion.

Beyond the Tianjin Declaration, leaders made statements on regional and national agendas. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the rapid development of Azerbaijan–China relations based on strategic partnership, underlining his country’s support for China’s global initiatives and its role as a reliable partner within the Belt and Road framework. He further stressed Azerbaijan’s emergence as a key transport and logistics hub in Eurasia, noting the strengthening of the Middle Corridor and the role of the Zangezur Corridor in enhancing regional peace and cooperation.

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for the SCO Plus Summit to focus on a constructive agenda, advocated reform of the UN Security Council, and expressed support for China’s “Global Governance Initiative.” He also proposed the establishment of the SCO Development Bank, the advancement of transport corridors, the creation of global ethical standards for artificial intelligence, solutions to Caspian Sea environmental issues, and the organization of a Regional Ecology Summit in 2026, along with the establishment of a Water Problems Analysis Center in Astana.

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the transformation and effectiveness of the SCO, the development of joint security mechanisms, and the revitalization of dialogue with Afghanistan. He also highlighted the need for stronger economic cooperation and logistics networks, AI-based solutions to climate and environmental challenges, and expanded collaboration in youth and humanitarian fields.

Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan drew attention to the failure to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stressed the urgent need for UN reforms to ensure justice and peace. He also highlighted the importance of Syria’s territorial integrity, lasting peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, energy and connectivity projects, and initiatives such as the Middle Corridor and Development Road. Erdoğan underlined Türkiye’s vision for a world order based on dialogue, diplomacy, cooperation, and prosperity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the SCO’s role in building a multipolar and just world order, pointing to the development of joint projects in economic cooperation, energy and transport infrastructure, education, and science. He blamed the West for the Ukraine crisis and valued the initiatives of China, India, and other partners in seeking a resolution.

Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the SCO’s responsibility to play a leading role in peace, security, and global governance. He emphasized multilateral cooperation, Belt and Road projects, joint platforms in energy and the digital economy, and the pursuit of a people-centered, fair global governance system. He also underscored the importance of intercivilizational dialogue and the protection of international justice.

During the summit, leaders held bilateral meetings both with the Chinese president and among themselves to discuss regional issues. These talks carried significant implications for the revival of the New Silk Road and the development of regional trade routes, particularly the Zangezur Corridor, which is critical in both European and regional contexts. The broad participation of leaders from conflict-prone regions underscored the importance of the summit, as did the involvement of strategically located countries such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Türkiye.

The most striking development at the summit was India’s second veto of Azerbaijan’s application for full SCO membership. Despite China’s support, Azerbaijan’s bid failed due to the unanimity requirement. In response, Pakistan vetoed Armenia’s membership application, countering India’s move. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev described India’s veto as a “policy of revenge” and reaffirmed his prioritization of fraternal ties with Pakistan. It was also decided that Kyrgyzstan would assume the rotating chairmanship of the SCO for 2025–2026.

In conclusion, while the SCO has yet to achieve a tangible level of integration comparable to the European Union, the economic potential of the region and its member states continues to attract global attention.

Ahmet SAĞLAM

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of UzDaily.