The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin marked a decisive turning point in the organization’s evolution, expanding its role beyond regional security cooperation to address economic, cultural, and governance reforms on a global scale. Originally established over two decades ago as a platform for security coordination, the SCO has grown into one of the largest and most ambitious regional organizations in the world, with 27 member states spanning a quarter of the world’s landmass, nearly half of its population, and a quarter of global GDP. This expansion highlights its growing influence in the international arena and its ambition to shape a new global order.
The summit featured participation from more than 20 heads of state, including leaders from ten international organizations, such to the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. This level of involvement underscored the SCO’s increasing global appeal, drawing states that see it as a platform not dominated by the West. The organization welcomed Laos as a new partner, expanding its reach and further enhancing its strategic importance. The SCO’s evolving mandate now includes economic development, cultural exchange, and governance reform, signaling its aspiration to play a central role in shaping the future of international relations.
Despite its growth, the SCO remains a diverse bloc, with member states bringing their own national priorities. India, for instance, has consistently blocked Azerbaijan’s membership application and remains the only SCO member not to endorse China’s Belt and Road Initiative. India’s simultaneous participation in the Quad—a grouping viewed with suspicion by both Beijing and Moscow—adds another layer of complexity. Türkiye, a SCO partner, is also a NATO member, aligning itself with a military bloc traditionally opposed to Russia and China. These tensions illustrate the organization’s internal diversity and the challenges it faces in achieving a unified vision.
The summit also served as a stage for bilateral diplomacy, particularly among nations with strained relationships. Armenia and Pakistan agreed, in principle, to establish diplomatic relations, a significant development given their lack of formal ties. Russian and Armenian leaders met to mend relations after Yerevan’s growing outreach to Western partners. Most notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first visit to China since 2019, widely seen as a bold step toward improving Sino-Indian relations. These diplomatic efforts highlight the SCO’s role in fostering trust and cooperation among its members.
The summit was not merely ceremonial; leaders pledged significant financial commitments, including a 2 billion yuan ($280 million) grant and 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) in loans, to support development projects. The establishment of four new SCO centers aimed at combating transnational crime and cyber threats demonstrated the organization’s commitment to practical outcomes. These investments reflect the SCO’s growing ambitions to address pressing global challenges and strengthen its economic and security infrastructure.
China’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI), introduced during the summit, outlines a framework aimed at addressing structural flaws in the international system. The GGI is built on five core principles: sovereign equality, multilateralism, a people-centered approach focusing on common development, and pragmatism emphasizing measurable outcomes. It also calls for reforming the global financial system, advancing technological governance, and strengthening multilateral cooperation in areas such as climate change and artificial intelligence. This initiative, positioned as an alternative to the Western-dominated ‘rules-based order,’ seeks to establish a new international framework that better represents the Global South and promotes collective development.
The SCO’s emergence as a central institution in the multipolar world order reflects its growing influence and its role in shaping a more balanced and inclusive international system. As the organization continues to expand its scope and engage with a broader coalition of states, it is increasingly seen as a model for alternative global governance, representing a shift in the balance of power and a new era in international relations.