SCO Approves Strategy for Economic and Technological Cooperation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states approved a series of strategic initiatives aimed at deepening economic, technological, and transport cooperation across Eurasia. This was outlined in the Tianjin Declaration of the SCO Council of Heads of State, adopted following the organization’s anniversary summit.

The declaration underscores support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and highlights ongoing efforts for its joint implementation, including alignment with the development of the Eurasian Economic Union. The document states that “member states consider it important to leverage the potentials of regional countries, international organizations, and multilateral associations to create a broad, open, mutually beneficial, and equitable space for interaction in Eurasia, in accordance with international law and taking national interests into account.”

In this context, summit participants reaffirmed their readiness to strengthen dialogue between the SCO, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and other relevant structures.

The heads of state emphasized the SCO region’s role in global economic recovery and the stability of international production and supply chains. They supported reforms of global economic governance and an open multilateral trading system, which contribute to the development of an open world economy and fair market access.

A statement of the SCO Council of Heads of State supporting the multilateral trading system was adopted. The declaration also condemns unilateral coercive measures, including economic sanctions that violate international law and WTO rules, undermining international security and negatively affecting the economy.

Special attention was given to the development of e-commerce and the digital economy. Member states adopted a council statement on strengthening cooperation in the digital economy and supported the proposal to develop a comprehensive cooperation program in this area. The document also records initiatives in the innovative and creative economy, the activation of the SCO Tech Park and innovation cluster network, and the utilization of the potential of the Alem.AI International Artificial Intelligence Center.

In the financial and investment sphere, summit participants highlighted the expansion of developing countries’ roles in managing international financial institutions, the establishment of an SCO Development Bank, and the strengthening of the Interbank Association. Measures were adopted to stimulate mutual investments and promote cooperation in antitrust regulation.

The transport section of the declaration includes the continuation of international corridors North–South and East–West, the construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, digitalization of logistics procedures, and infrastructure modernization. The document emphasizes that “member states, sharing the international community’s commitment to connectivity, advocate further development of transport cooperation on a fair and balanced basis.”

In the energy sector, SCO countries supported sustainable and balanced development of the global energy market, strengthening energy security, and promoting renewable energy. A statement of the SCO Council of Heads of State on sustainable energy development was adopted, along with a roadmap for implementing the Energy Cooperation Strategy through 2030.

Agriculture and food security also received focused attention. Summit participants advocated for strengthened cooperation in agricultural science and education, product standardization, and veterinary and phytosanitary control. The successful holding of the Agro-SCO exhibition in Minsk and the initiative to create the SCO Food Security Atlas e-platform were noted.