China convenes the SCO Summit 2025 amidst escalating global crises
Headline: Historic SCO Summit in Tianjin Marks a New Era of Sustainable Development
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is hosting its largest summit yet in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, with a focus on sustainable development and strengthening economic and security ties.
The summit, under the presidency of Chinese President Xi Jinping, brings together the SCO's 10 member states, including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Mongolia, and Belarus. Additionally, the gathering includes two observers - Afghanistan and Iran - and 14 dialogue partners from across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Notable attendees include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masood Pezeshkian, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Other key figures present include UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev, and heads of various international organizations.
This summit marks Indian Prime Minister Modi's first visit to China in over seven years, amid lingering tensions following border clashes in 2020. The gathering offers a significant opportunity for dialogue and potential resolution of these issues.
The SCO traces its roots to the "Shanghai Five" mechanism, established in 1996, which included China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Uzbekistan later joined as the sixth member. The organization covers about 24% of the world's land area and 42% of the global population.
In 2024, the SCO's trade with its members, observers, and dialogue partners reached a record $890 billion, or 14.4% of China's total foreign trade. Over the past two decades, the SCO's share of world trade has increased dramatically, from 5.4% in 2001 to 17.5% in 2020. Member states account for roughly one quarter of global GDP, with total trade increasing nearly 100-fold in the same period.
The Tianjin summit is significant not only for its size but also for its theme, "SCO Year of Sustainable Development." Leaders are expected to sign the Tianjin Declaration, approve a 10-year strategy, and issue outcome documents on security, trade, energy, and cultural cooperation. Beijing has also extended invitations for partners to join its BeiDou navigation system and International Lunar Research Station project.
Following the summit, Xi Jinping will host Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at a large-scale military parade on September 3 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Xi will also hold separate talks with several leaders, including Putin and Erdogan, on the sidelines.
The gathering in Tianjin represents a crucial moment for the SCO, as it seeks to strengthen its role in global affairs and promote sustainable development. With its vast membership and growing influence, the organization is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of international relations.
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