25th SCO Summit in China

25th SCO Summit in China

Why in News? 

The 25th SCO Summit took place in Tianjin, China, between 31 August and 1 September 2025. This event carried high importance as it marked the fifth time China hosted the annual SCO leaders’ meeting. 

• The gathering was described as the largest in the history of the organization and reflected growing regional engagement in politics, economics, and cultural exchange. 

Highlights of the 25th SCO Summit 2025 in Tianjin

• • Venue: The summit took place at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin. Lighting upgrades across 217 buildings and 14 bridges on the Haihe River were completed.
    • Almost 1,000 young volunteers from institutions like Tianjin University and Nankai University contributed to the smooth organization of the event.

• Participants: The meeting brought together leaders and representatives from China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran, and Belarus, along with observers and dialogue partners. 

• Heads of government from countries like Turkey, Egypt, Nepal, and Vietnam also attended. 

• The host of the summit, President Xi Jinping, welcomed all participants and emphasized the importance of cooperation under the SCO framework.

• Preparatory Events: In the months before the summit, a series of ministerial meetings and forums took place to build consensus. 

• In July 2025, the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Council met in Tianjin, chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. At this meeting, drafts of key documents such as the Tianjin Declaration and the SCO Development Strategy for the Next Decade were finalized.

• • In July 2025, the SCO Digital Economy Forum was organized, drawing participation from over 1,500 delegates across member nations.
  • The SCO Business Forum in Beijing, which released a research report on supply chain development.
  • The SCO National Civilization Dialogue in Tianjin, involving over 300 experts and representatives from cultural and academic fields.
  • The 10th Meeting of the SCO Agriculture Ministers in Kunming, which adopted a joint statement on rural development and poverty reduction.
• Key Discussions: Leaders at the summit focused on strengthening security in the region, boosting economic ties, and promoting cultural understanding.
  • Particular focus was placed on the challenges of terrorism, trade connectivity, and the role of technology in future cooperation. 
  • A key outcome was the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration, which emphasized the unity of the member countries.
  • Another important outcome was the ten-year strategy document, which laid down goals for cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and people-to-people ties until 2035.
  • The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and called for stronger economic integration across Eurasia. 
  • Proposals were made to deepen energy partnerships, enhance food security measures, and expand joint efforts in digital governance.
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in bilateral dialogues with leaders from India, Russia, Turkey, and Kazakhstan.

What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)?

• About: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental organization. Today, it stands as a major regional platform shaping cooperation in Asia. It connects major Asian nations and provides a platform for cooperation in security, politics, trade, and cultural exchange. The body has evolved since its early beginnings and today it plays a significant role in shaping Eurasian relations. 

• Origin: The SCO traces its beginnings to 1996 when China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan came together to form the “Shanghai Five” for regional cooperation. The purpose of this group was to resolve border issues and strengthen confidence-building measures between the states. 

• By the year 2001, the scope of cooperation expanded beyond border security. The later entry of Uzbekistan gave rise to the broader and more formal SCO structure.

• On 15 June 2001, in Shanghai, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was officially established. The founding members signed the SCO Charter in 2002, and the charter came into force in 2003 to give the group a legal and institutional foundation.

• Members: Over time, the SCO has steadily expanded its membership, increasing its reach and influence. The current member states are:

• • 1. China
    2. Russia
    3. Kazakhstan
    4. Kyrgyzstan
    5. Tajikistan
    6. Uzbekistan
    7. India
    8. Pakistan
    9. Belarus
    10. Iran

• Structure: The SCO has a well-defined organizational structure:

• • 1. Heads of State Council: This is the highest decision-making body. It sets priorities, defines strategies, and makes final decisions on all major matters. Leaders of member states meet annually under this council.
    2. Heads of Government Council: The Heads of Government Council addresses economic and trade issues within the organization. It reviews budgets and discusses economic projects.
    3. Council of Foreign Ministers: The Council of Foreign Ministers manages day-to-day foreign policy coordination and prepares agendas for higher meetings.
    4. Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent plays a central role in tackling terrorism and extremism.
    5. Secretariat: Located in Beijing, the secretariat handles administrative and documentation tasks. It supports the organization’s continuous work and communication.
    6. Other Mechanisms: Specialized forums such as youth councils, cultural exchange committees, and economic forums also exist to deepen cooperation in specific sectors.

• Significance: 

• 1. The SCO now represents about 40 percent of the global population and nearly 30 percent of worldwide GDP, making it one of the largest regional organizations in terms of population and economic power.
  2. The organization serves as a bridge between East and West, linking major economies like China and India with resource-rich states of Central Asia.
  3. Russia and China view this organisation as an alternative to the “Western” international order. 

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