The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit set to take place in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, 2025, will be the largest SCO gathering ever since its establishment, as the leaders of more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations will be participating. The President of China, His Excellency Xi Jinping, will preside over the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO and the “SCO Plus” Meeting, delivering keynote speeches during this high-level event. The summit is taking place at the time when the geo-economic conditions, around the world, are quite uncertain and unstable.
Through this year’s summit, China, once again, reaffirms its leadership role in bringing countries together. It is hosting this event for the fifth time, and has already organized more than 100 related activities in the last year. The theme of this year’s summit, “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move,” underscores the organization’s commitment to trust building, cooperation, and shared development among its member states.
The timing of this summit is particularly significant. As the world faces growing trade tensions, protectionism, tariff standoffs, energy crises, and conflicts in various regions. The economic slowdown and pressure from big powers rivalries are affecting many nations. In this situation, the SCO serves as a platform for stability and cooperation, giving countries the chance to come together and talk openly about peace, growth, and security in a fair and equal way.
China has worked very hard for ensuring that this summit is both meaningful and impactful. Although traditional security (combating terrorism, ensuring regional stability, etc.) remains a core concern, the agenda also encompasses new areas of cooperation such as renewable energy, digital economy, and green development. It reflects how, under China’s guidance, the SCO is preparing its member states for both current challenges and future opportunities.
The summit emphasizes the importance of multilateralism as well. In contrast to Western-led organizations, the SCO adheres to the principle of the “Shanghai Spirit,” which is based on mutual respect, equality, and win-win cooperation. This gives the SCO an upper hand by making it a unique platform for countries in Asia and beyond to collaborate freely without fear of domination by any single power.
Another significance of the Tianjin Summit is that it has brought together different institutions and organizations, all sharing a common goal i.e., promoting and strengthening good-neighborly relations and friendly cooperation, and creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.
Therefore, this summit is more than just a diplomatic event. It is an explicit message to the world that even in uncertain times, cooperation is possible. It also shows China’s willingness to take responsibility, to provide vision, and help build deeper connections among countries.
The upcoming SCO forum in Tianjin is a beacon of hope and stability at a time of global challenges. Under China’s guidance, the meeting aims to strengthen trust, expand cooperation, and give member countries new opportunities to prosper together. It will not only set the direction for the SCO’s future, but also show that dialogue and unity are stronger than division and rivalry.
Executive Director, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF).
