On July 12–13, the 6th Forum of Think Tanks of the SCO Member States was held in Shanghai (PRC), where Dr. Abbos Bobokhonov, Head of the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies at IAIS, took part and delivered a report. The event, organized by Shanghai University of Political Science and Law with the assistance of the China Institute of International Studies and the China Center for SCO Studies, brought together about 100 experts, scholars, and analysts from leading scientific and research institutions of SCO member countries and partners, as well as representatives of the UN.

In his speech on “The Development of the SCO at the Present Stage: Issues of the Organization’s Transformation”, the expert presented an analytical vision of the evolution of the SCO in the context of global turbulence. He emphasized that, as it enters its third decade of existence, the SCO faces the need to adapt to the transforming system of international relations. Noting the significant expansion of the organization’s geography, which now covers more than 65% of the Eurasian continent, 44% of the world’s population, and a combined GDP of $33 trillion, he emphasized that the SCO is becoming an important link between Asia and other strategic regions.

The report paid particular attention to future milestones in the organization’s development: the transformation of its institutional structure, the strengthening of multilateral cooperation, and the search for universal values in the context of civilizational diversity. Dr. Bobokhonov noted that the key trends in the coming years will be institutional reform and further expansion of the SCO, which will give the organization new functional characteristics and strengthen its role in global governance.

During his visit, the expert also held meetings with Li Xin, director of the Eurasia Institute at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, and Professor Yang Chen, director of the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Regional Studies at Shanghai International Studies University. The talks focused on opportunities for academic exchange, joint research, and expert cooperation on SCO and Eurasian integration issues.

Dr. Abbos Bobokhonov’s participation in the forum underscored IAIS’s desire to strengthen Uzbekistan’s intellectual presence in regional expert structures and contribute to the formation of a balanced and inclusive SCO agenda.