DUSHANBE, 25.07.2025 (NIAT Khovar) – Greater connectivity and practical cooperation among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states can play a vital role in ensuring sustainable development and regional stability, scholars and media professionals affirmed at the ongoing SCO Media and Think Tank Summit being held in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, central China.

The event, which is taking place from July 23 to 27, is co-hosted by the Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and the Henan Provincial Government. It has drawn more than 400 representatives from media, think tanks, and government institutions across 26 SCO countries and partner organizations.

Since its founding in 2001, the SCO has grown from a six-member security forum into a broad regional platform with 10 member states, two observer states, and 14 dialogue partners.

According to Xinhua, participants of the summit agreed that the organization is entering a new stage of development centered on inclusive economic growth, digital transformation, and civilizational connectivity.

Dr. Sun Zhuangzhi, Director of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at CASS, emphasized the SCO’s potential to become a new geo-economic bloc, particularly with the recent inclusion of Iran and Belarus. “The SCO can develop multiple overland corridors, supporting prosperity across Eurasia,” he said, stressing the importance of infrastructure and transport integration.

Kyrgyz academic Cholpon Koichumanova noted the growing importance of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway in enhancing intra-regional links. “This project has implications not only for transportation but also for long-term cooperation and mutual development across Central Asia,” she stated.

Trade statistics underline this deepening integration. From 2001 to 2020, the SCO’s share of global trade increased from 5.4% to 17.5%. In 2024, trade between China and other SCO countries and partners reached a record USD 890 billion, according to Chinese customs data.

However, experts also pointed to challenges. Zhang Ting, a senior researcher at China’s Ministry of Commerce, highlighted the need to close gaps in infrastructure and digital connectivity to enable deeper economic integration. She advocated for joint policy research to build institutional frameworks for regional development, aligned with green and digital priorities.

Experts from Pakistan, Cambodia, and Russia echoed calls for more practical cooperation. Dr. Hassan Daud Butt of Bahria University, Pakistan, emphasized that inclusive globalization through SCO frameworks could transform underperforming regions. Meanwhile, Kin Phea, Director General of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, suggested the creation of shared digital platforms for media and research.

Kanatbek Aziz, Director of Kyrgyzstan’s Institute of Geopolitics and Strategy, underlined the strategic role of think tanks and media in safeguarding SCO’s narrative space and advancing regional cooperation. “Their mission is not only to inform, but to generate trust and provide a conceptual foundation for multilateral solidarity,” he told Xinhua.

Russian media executive Dmitrii Gornostaev of Rossiya Segodnya added that such summits allow for open discussion of both achievements and challenges within the SCO framework. He called for more frequent collaborative forums and expert exchanges to inform policymaking and strengthen mutual understanding among member states.

As noted by summit participants, the goal of building a shared future community under the SCO umbrella remains both an aspiration and a long-term task. Deepened cooperation in political, security, economic, and cultural fields is essential to achieving that vision.

Source: Xinhua / Edited for NIAT “Khovar”