Shanghai Cooperation Organization Hosts Largest Summit in History

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is set to hold its 25th Heads of State Council meeting in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, 2025. This summit, the largest in the organization's history, will convene leaders from over 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations to discuss pressing regional and global issues.

Established in 2001, the SCO has evolved into a significant Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance. Its member states include China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. Collectively, these nations represent approximately 40% of the global population, underscoring the organization's substantial influence.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will chair the summit, hosting prominent figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. The summit's agenda focuses on enhancing security collaboration, promoting economic partnerships, and fostering cultural exchanges among member states. A key outcome is expected to be the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration, outlining the SCO's development strategy for the next decade.

Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin emphasized the importance of unity amid an increasingly complex global environment, stating that the summit will focus on neighborhood diplomacy, suggesting discussions will revolve around regional cooperation and proximity-based diplomacy among member and partner nations.

The SCO's expanding agenda reflects its adaptability in a multipolar world. With 80% of its 2024-2025 presidency events focused on practical cooperation, the organization is moving beyond rhetoric. Tianjin's summit, hosting over 2,000 delegates, will build on the $4.8 billion in deals from the April 2025 China-SCO Industrial Cooperation Conference. As Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated, the SCO aims to forge a "community with a shared future." By addressing security, trade, energy, AI, and cultural ties, the summit will cement the SCO’s role as a stabilizing force, offering a counterpoint to Western-dominated institutions and a vision for inclusive global governance.

The 2025 Tianjin SCO Summit underscores the organization's growing influence in global affairs and highlights China's role in facilitating multilateral dialogue and cooperation. The inclusion of a diverse range of countries and international organizations reflects a collective effort to address regional and global challenges through cooperative mechanisms. The summit's focus on security, economic development, and cultural exchange has the potential to foster greater stability and prosperity in the region.

As the SCO convenes its 25th summit in Tianjin, the organization stands at a pivotal juncture, poised to deepen regional ties and address pressing global issues. The outcomes of this summit, particularly the Tianjin Declaration, are expected to shape the SCO's trajectory and influence in the coming decade.