'SCO action' can help advance reform of global governance

Editor's Note: Sun Zhuangzhi is a director of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has emerged as a key platform for advancing cooperation on global governance. As the organization implements the consensus reached at its summits and expands practical cooperation, the concept of reforming global governance is gaining broader substance and more concrete pathways. The SCO's efforts to promote a fairer and more equitable global governance system are closely aligned with its own principles and practices, reflecting its growing role in responding to changes in the international landscape.

First, it is closely aligned with the Shanghai Spirit.

The Shanghai Spirit, which underpins multilateral cooperation within the SCO, emphasizes mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for the diversity of civilizations and the pursuit of common development. These principles are consistent with the idea of sovereign equality, which calls for all countries, regardless of size or strength, to have an equal voice in international affairs.

This approach rejects bloc confrontation and power politics while respecting the right of countries to choose their own development paths based on their national conditions. It offers an alternative to traditional zero-sum approaches to international politics and provides a basis for cooperation and shared development.

Second, it is closely aligned with the SCO's evolving regional cooperation mechanism.

The SCO has developed into one of the world's largest regional cooperation organizations in terms of both geographic reach and population. Its growing weight reflects the changing political, economic and security landscape across Eurasia.

With profound shifts taking place in the global political, economic and security landscape, global governance needs to adapt accordingly. Regional organizations are playing an increasingly important role in this process. The SCO has expanded its functions and strengthened its institutional mechanisms, while actively participating in international rule-making and upholding international law based on the UN Charter.

Through its emphasis on cooperation and mutual benefit, the SCO is also contributing to the development of a new type of international relations and demonstrating how regional cooperation can support a more representative global governance system.

Third, it is closely aligned with the SCO's commitment to openness.

The SCO family has continued to expand, with multiple rounds of enlargement significantly increasing its geographic and political reach. Today, the organization covers a substantial part of the Eurasian continent, while more countries recognize the value of its principles of cooperation.

The SCO maintains observer status at the UN General Assembly and has established cooperation mechanisms with the United Nations and its affiliated institutions, ASEAN, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Eurasian Economic Union, among others.

Such cooperation demonstrates the organization's willingness to work with a broad range of partners to address regional security and economic challenges. It also reflects an emphasis on equal participation, dialogue over confrontation and genuine multilateralism.

Fourth, it is closely aligned with the SCO's deepening practical cooperation.

The SCO's growing influence is also rooted in concrete cooperation that benefits its members. Guided by the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, the organization has promoted trade and investment facilitation, economic exchanges and cultural cooperation.

Cooperation under the Belt and Road framework has also helped connect regional development strategies and support modernization and improvements in people's livelihoods.

Following the SCO Tianjin Summit, China took the initiative to establish six practical cooperation platforms, covering energy, green industries, digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, higher education, and vocational and technical education. These mechanisms can provide more opportunities for members to share development benefits and strengthen cooperation in emerging fields.

Fifth, it is closely aligned with the SCO's transition toward high-quality development.

As global economic and political competition intensifies, countries of the Global South face both significant opportunities and unprecedented challenges. This makes stronger regional cooperation increasingly important.

The SCO needs to assume greater responsibility in navigating these changes by prioritizing development, ensuring security, putting people first, and resolving differences through dialogue and consultation. These principles point toward an action-oriented approach to improving the quality and effectiveness of SCO cooperation.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO. Looking back on the organization's development, its members have expressed their determination to take cooperation to a higher level and contribute greater "SCO strength" and "SCO action" to addressing global challenges.

The organization can play a greater role in four areas: bringing together more countries from the Global South and contributing to a more multipolar world; promoting the rule of law in international relations and upholding international fairness and justice; contributing to global and regional stability by emphasizing dialogue and consultation in resolving conflicts; and strengthening the sense of a shared future through cooperation that benefits people across countries.

The SCO's experience shows that global governance reform requires not only broad consensus, but also concrete action. By coordinating resources, expanding practical cooperation and delivering tangible results, the organization can help prevent governance gaps and fragmentation.

With its emphasis on openness, inclusiveness and mutually beneficial cooperation, the SCO is well placed to turn broad global governance principles into concrete projects and institutional arrangements. Its experience can offer a practical path toward a fairer and more equitable system of global governance and contribute to a more equal and orderly multipolar world.