Tianjin - As the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) prepares for its 25th Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, 2025, the organization stands at a pivotal moment. With China leading the 2024-2025 presidency, the SCO is expanding its agenda to address security, trade corridors, energy, artificial intelligence, and cultural exchange in a rapidly shifting global order. Representing 10 member states, nearly half the world's population, and 25% of global GDP ($25 trillion in 2024), the SCO is poised to shape a multipolar world. Tianjin, a hub of economic and green innovation, provides an ideal backdrop for a significant summit that seeks to deepen regional cooperation and global influence.

Security remains a cornerstone of the SCO's mission. In 2024, the organization’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) thwarted 450 terrorist plots across member states, a 12% increase from 2023, according to the SCO Secretariat. Cybersecurity threats, which surged by 20% globally in 2024, prompted the SCO to adopt a new digital security framework at the July 2025 Defense Ministers' Meeting in Beijing. This framework, backed by $1.5 billion in joint funding, enhances data protection and counter-terrorism coordination. Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu emphasized the need for "unified responses to hybrid threats," a priority echoed in plans for a 2026 SCO joint military exercise involving 10,000 troops. Tianjin's summit will advance these efforts, with agreements expected to strengthen border security and intelligence sharing, critical for stability in Central Asia and beyond.

Trade corridors are central to the SCO’s economic vision. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a key driver, facilitated $890 billion in trade among SCO members in 2024, a 9% rise from the previous year. The China-Europe Railway Express, connecting 25 SCO cities, completed 19,000 trips in 2024, up 10.7% from 2023, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. The 12th SCO Transport Ministers' Meeting in Tianjin in June 2025 secured $2 billion for green logistics corridors, including electrified rail networks linking Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. These corridors reduce transit times by 15% and cut emissions by 10%, aligning with the SCO’s Year of Sustainable Development. Summit discussions will focus on harmonizing trade regulations, with proposals to streamline customs processes, potentially boosting intra-SCO trade by 5% by 2027.

The 12th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Ministers of Transport is held in north China's Tianjin, July 2, 2025. (Photo/Xinhua)

Energy cooperation is a growing priority as SCO members navigate global volatility. In 2024, energy trade among member states reached $200 billion, driven by Russia’s gas exports and China's renewable investments. The SCO Energy Ministers' Meeting in Astana in May 2025 outlined a $3 billion plan to develop 2 gigawatts of solar and wind capacity across Central Asia by 2030. Tianjin’s green port, which cut emissions by 15% since 2020, will be showcased as a model for sustainable energy logistics. Kazakhstan’s contribution of 1.2 million tons of oil to SCO markets in 2024 underscores the region's energy interdependence. The summit aims to finalize a clean energy pact, targeting a 20% increase in renewable energy trade by 2028, reinforcing the SCO's role in global energy transitions.

Artificial intelligence is emerging as a transformative focus. In 2024, SCO member states invested $15 billion in AI, with China's Tianjin leading through its Binhai New Area, home to 200 AI firms. The SCO Digital Forum in Shanghai in April 2025 launched a $500 million fund for AI-driven smart cities, with pilot projects in Tashkent and Islamabad. AI applications in logistics, reducing costs by 12% for SCO trade routes, were highlighted at the forum. The summit will propose an SCO AI Ethics Charter to ensure responsible development, addressing concerns about data privacy and equitable access.

Cultural exchange strengthens the SCO's cohesion. The SCO Youth Cultural Festival, launching in Tianjin in 2025, will offer 5,000 scholarships for joint academic programs, fostering collaboration in science and technology. The SCO Inter-Civilizational Dialogue in July 2025 saw 300 delegates from member states explore cultural preservation, with Pakistan and Tajikistan committing $10 million to heritage restoration projects. Tianjin's historical landmarks, like the Porcelain House, symbolize the SCO's "Shanghai Spirit" of mutual respect. These initiatives counter global polarization, promoting dialogue among diverse civilizations.

The SCO's expanding agenda reflects its adaptability in a multipolar world. With 80% of its 2024-2025 presidency events focused on practical cooperation, as outlined on the SCO's official website launched in July 2025, 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 writer is Secretary General Pakistan-SCO Friendship Forum