Diplomats from the South Coast Organization gather in Tianjin in preparation for the upcoming September summit
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held its latest meeting in Tianjin, China, on July 15, 2024, marking another significant step in the organisation's journey towards fostering regional stability, security, and sustainable development.
The gathering, which was attended by the foreign ministers of the SCO member states, including Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, was a testament to the organisation's growing importance as a major Eurasian multilateral forum.
Murat Nurtleu commended China's systematic approach to implementing the agreements reached at the Astana SCO Summit in July 2024. He also emphasized the importance of continuing consistent work on the institutional development and enhancement of the SCO's activities.
Nurtleu's remarks at the meeting focused on the potential of the SCO to transform the SCO space into a region of peace and prosperity. He expressed strong confidence in the SCO's potential to build mutually beneficial partnerships for sustainable development.
The SCO, according to Nurtleu, has a unique model of equal cooperation based on the principles of the Shanghai Spirit. This model encompasses solidarity, respect for sovereignty, joint counterterrorism efforts against terrorism, extremism, and separatism, and the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts through dialogue and negotiation.
The meeting in Tianjin also discussed strengthening foreign policy coordination and preparing for the upcoming SCO Summit in September. The foreign ministers of the SCO member states held a joint meeting with President Xi Jinping of China, further emphasising the importance of the organisation's role in regional affairs.
The SCO, as stated by Nurtleu, continues to be an organisation that promotes cooperation between its member states. Covering a vast geographic area—approximately 24% of the world and 65% of Eurasia—and representing about 42% of the global population with a combined nominal GDP near 23% and a PPP share of around 36%, the SCO boasts significant economic weight.
The recent developments in the SCO highlight its expanding membership and deepening integration. Belarus joined as the 10th member in 2024, and the SCO Summit 2025 is scheduled to be hosted by China in Tianjin, where China holds the chairmanship for 2024-25.
The organisation is focusing on advancing its Development Strategy to 2035, which aims to enhance economic cooperation, security coordination, trade facilitation, counter-terrorism, energy cooperation, and cultural exchanges among members. This strategy builds on the foundational 2015 Ufa framework and China's leadership seeks robust implementation through high-level forums and cultural initiatives to solidify the SCO’s regional influence.
In summary, the SCO under Murat Nurtleu’s and other members’ guidance is evolving into a more cohesive platform enhancing sustainable regional development and peace through multilateral cooperation, security collaboration, economic integration, and cultural dialogue. Its expanded membership and strategic initiatives signal a growing influence on Eurasian geopolitics and the broader international order, aiming to foster stability, prosperity, and cooperation among member states while offering an alternative regional framework that counters unilateral global dominance.
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is delving into policy-and-legislation matters as it focuses on advancing its Development Strategy to 2035, a move that highlights its growing importance in the realm of politics and general-news.
- The SCO's regional influence is expanding, as seen in its deepening integration, diversified membership, and strategic initiatives, making it a significant player in shaping policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news in Eurasia and beyond.
