SCO builds global win-win cooperation ecosystem

Editor's note: Moiz Farooq is an executive editor of Pakistan Economic Net and Daily Ittehad Media Group. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN. 

When Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tianjin, he offered more than a speech. He outlined a vision of multilateral cooperation, mutual respect, and shared development at a time when the world is grappling with growing division and instability.

The SCO, now the largest regional organization in the world, spans 26 countries, covers over 50 areas of cooperation, and represents nearly half of humanity. Its growth from six founding members to a vast Eurasian family reflects both its adaptability and its appeal. In Xi's words, this expansion and vitality prove that the SCO is not just a regional forum but a new model of global governance rooted in inclusiveness and partnership.

The Shanghai Spirit: Bridging differences among member states to forge SCO's strength

From its early days, the SCO has stood out for its groundbreaking achievements. It was the first to create confidence-building measures along contested borders, the first to jointly confront terrorism and extremism, and the first to sign a treaty of long-term good-neighborliness and friendship. These initiatives have transformed the region from one of suspicion into one of cooperation. The philosophy behind these successes is the Shanghai Spirit – stresses trust, equality, respect for diversity, and the pursuit of common progress. This has allowed countries with very different systems and rivalries to work together as partners.

Xi reminded leaders in Tianjin that this spirit is the foundation of the SCO's strength. "SCO member states are all friends and partners," he declared, urging them to respect differences, build consensus, and reject confrontation. His call for "true multilateralism" emphasized that global governance must be based on consultation and fairness, not on dominance or unilateralism. Importantly, Xi cautioned against a return to Cold War thinking, calling on the SCO to uphold fairness, resist bullying, and defend the UN-centered system.

It was in this broader context that Xi introduced the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), which immediately drew international attention. Leaders across SCO countries welcomed it as a forward-looking framework anchored in sovereign equality, multilateralism, people-centered development, the rule of law, and tangible action. Supporters praised the GGI for injecting momentum into long-stalled reform debates and for reaffirming China's readiness to contribute public goods to the international community. Critics in some quarters questioned whether the initiative also reflects Beijing's leadership ambitions, yet the strong positive response at Tianjin highlighted how many nations see the GGI as an opportunity to make the international system more equitable and representative.

China steers the SCO toward collaboration and prosperity through concrete actions, not dominance

Economic cooperation featured prominently in his vision. Xi urged members to align development strategies, harness their vast markets, and promote trade and investment. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), embraced early by the SCO, remains central to this effort. Projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Central Asia's energy pipelines have reshaped connectivity and boosted growth across the region. For Xi, development is not just about infrastructure; it is the foundation of security and stability.

China's commitments at the summit underscored this point. Xi announced a grant of 2 billion yuan ($280 million) for the SCO member states this year, as well as 10 billion yuan in loans to the member banks of the SCO Interbank Consortium over the next three years. Beyond large projects, Beijing plans to implement 100 "small and beautiful" livelihood projects in member states, establish 10 Luban Workshops, and provide 10,000 human resources training opportunities. These people-focused programs reflect China's determination to ensure that regional cooperation directly benefits ordinary citizens.

Such pledges highlight how China leads in the SCO by action rather than domination. The organization operates by consensus, which requires persuasion and partnership rather than dictates. By providing resources and investment, Beijing builds goodwill and strengthens interdependence. Today, China's investment stock in SCO states exceeds $84 billion, while bilateral trade has risen above $500 billion annually. These numbers are evidence of shared prosperity rather than dependency.

The SCO's inclusiveness allows it to function as a neutral platform for dialogue and conflict mediation

Xi also emphasized the need to operationalize SCO centers for countering terrorism and drug trafficking. By combining economic cooperation with security coordination, China is advocating a balanced approach to long-term stability. This dual focus on prosperity and safety reflects the SCO's unique role in bridging development and security.

The SCO's inclusiveness is another reason for its growing global weight. Unlike exclusive military blocs, it continues to welcome new members and dialogue partners. It is one of the few platforms where long-standing rivals such as India and Pakistan can meet under a cooperative framework. Its partnerships now extend from South Asia to the Middle East, engaging countries as varied as Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. This openness allows the SCO to serve as a neutral platform for dialogue and conflict management.

At a time when many global institutions are paralyzed by rivalry, the SCO projects a different message. It offers the Global South a greater voice and influence in shaping the international order. In Tianjin, member states endorsed this vision by adopting a declaration and a 10-year development strategy, charting a path toward fairer and more inclusive governance.

SCO governance model: A blueprint for peaceful development and shared prosperity

The symbolism of the summit was clear. The family photo of SCO leaders – from China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Central Asia, Iran, and beyond – reflected diversity and unity under one framework. In his closing words, Xi presented the SCO not as an exclusive club, but as a cooperative community of destiny.

The challenges the world faces today – terrorism, climate change, economic shocks, and geopolitical rivalry – cannot be solved by any one nation. Xi's Tianjin call was a reminder that an alternative path exists: one of partnership, openness, and shared prosperity. In his vision, the SCO is proof that cooperation across political systems and regions is not only possible but essential.

In a world drifting toward division, the SCO offers a model of how nations can prosper together without confrontation. Xi's message in Tianjin was both a reflection of the progress made and a roadmap for the future. It was, above all, a call for the international community to heed the lessons of inclusiveness and cooperation – before the cycle of rivalry drags the world into deeper instability.