Posted on September 30, 2025
Karachi:
The Shanghai cooperation organization summit which concluded at the beginning of this month in Tianjin occurred at a time when the existing world order is undergoing profound changes. While conflicts become uncontrollable in the Middle East, motivated by Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and the war in Ukraine shows no end sign, with China and Russia faced with intensified competition from the United States, the collection of OCS leaders in Tianjin was a declaration of intestine, focusing on stability, development and cooperation Multipolar.
This intention was encapsulated in the Tianjin declaration, signed by the heads of state to crystallize the vision of the organization for the next decade. When previous declarations are broke towards rhetoric, this year’s document is relatively pragmatic, putting commitments to the coordination of security, economic connectivity and the reform of the international system.
Multipolarity as a principle
One of the most coherent themes was the call to a multi -finish world order. The declaration reaffirms the centrality of the Charter of the United Nations, but with an unmistakable subtext: the current system, dominated by a handful of powers, no longer reflects global realities.
The president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, stressed the point frankly, arguing that “the era of unipolar domination is over”. His Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping has framed the problem in more ambitious terms, calling for “an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity” and positioning the OCS as a model of cooperative multilateralism.
Security first, but beyond the hard power
Security has always been the foundation of the SCO, and Tianjin has reaffirmed this priority. The declaration emphasizes the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism as permanent threats, while indicating cybercrime and emerging technologies as new areas of concern. Putin underlined the need to share intelligence and military coordination, noting that “terrorism, no matter where it occurs, also threatens us”.
But the summit also marked a notable change. Security has been supervised not only in terms of hard power but also in terms of development and connectivity. XI, in particular, was put pressure for a broader definition of safety – rooted in food supply chains, energy stability and climate resilience. This thought has found its way in the declaration, which explicitly links “sustainable peace” to “inclusive economic development”.
This reflects a deeper trend within the OCS: the recognition that its legitimacy will be based not only on the hard power but on its ability to offer tangible economic advantages. The newly launched initiatives on green energy cooperation and digital connectivity are small but important stages in this direction.
Silk roads with supply chains
The SCO has always carried an implicit economic dimension, but Tianjin highlighted it. The declaration describes the commitments to extend the commercial corridors, to rationalize the customs processes and to invest in cross -border infrastructure.
By connecting the future of the OCS to the Belt and Road initiative, XI has urged Member States to “deepen connectivity and to release the potential of the vast markets of Eurasia”. Although skeptics can see this as China by taking advantage of the OCS for its own geopolitical projects, it is undeniable that the member states of Central Asia in South Asia are kept from improved infrastructure and commercial access.
Reform global governance
Another point to remember notable was the collective call for SCO to the UN reform. Tianjin’s statement explicitly states the need for a “more representative and fair international order”, approving reforms that would give greater votes to emerging economies.
The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, who approached the summit practically, praised SCO support for multilateral reform, noting that “global challenges require global solutions, but global institutions must evolve to reflect the realities of today”. His presence underlined the recognition that SCO is no longer a marginal forum, but an organization whose positions have weight in international debates.
For the OCS, the continuation of the UN reform is not only a question of principle but also of legitimacy. By aligning the calls for the democratization of global governance, Member States can counter accusations that the organization is simply an anti-Western block.
A counterweight, not a block
One of the most interesting dynamics of Tianjin was the meticulous balancing of SCO. While the rhetoric of multipolarity and western overcoming was strong, the declaration avoids cracking the organization as a block opposed to NATO or the European Union. Instead, it positions SCO as a complementary structure, which seeks dialogue and cooperation as far as possible.
This reflects both pragmatism and diversity within the group. Not all members of the OCS share identical opinions on the West. By keeping the inclusive declaration, the SCO preserves its large tent.
Analysts noted that the strength of the SCO lies in its flexibility and its inclusiveness. Rather than a “alliance”, the organization is positioned as a platform where Eurasian powers can align with key questions without requiring uniformity.
Declarations to results
The questions persist on the OCS’s ability to transform high concepts into concrete results, in particular in the economic sphere, while tensions between members, such as India and Pakistan this year, continue to test the cohesion of the organization. Critics argue that without stronger application mechanisms, the SCO may be long on rhetoric and a short delivery.
Despite this, Tianjin’s meaning should not be underestimated. The summit revealed a safer organization than in the past years, which considers itself a pillar of a multipolar order. Tianjin’s statement, for his entire diplomatic language, is a roadmap for a SCO that seeks not only to manage threats but to shape opportunities.
At a time when the liberal international order is subject to pressure, the OCS offers a different model: a based on sovereignty, non-interference and regional cooperation.
