Prof. Azamat Seitov in his interview with China News emphasized that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has evolved into one of the world’s most significant multilateral mechanisms. He underlined that its strength lies not only in its vast demographic and economic weight, accounting for nearly half of the world’s population and over 20 trillion USD in GDP, but also in its role as a stabilizer in an era of growing global uncertainty. Guided by the “Shanghai Spirit”, rooted in trust, mutual respect, and consensus, the SCO has become a unique platform fostering cohesion and eliminating barriers among member states.
Prof. Seitov particularly noted that the SCO’s institutional framework and coordination mechanisms across political, economic, and cultural domains provide it with resilience and credibility. The organization has steadily transformed into a multifunctional body encompassing trade, energy, culture, connectivity, and green development. Projects such as the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway exemplify this transformation, offering both economic vitality and deeper social integration, while advancing the region’s long-term strategy of connectivity and infrastructure development.
Looking ahead, he stressed the importance of upcoming SCO summits as opportunities to address institutional barriers and enhance transparency in regional projects. He expressed confidence that member states will continue expanding their cooperation agenda, particularly in emerging fields such as the digital economy, energy, and green technologies. For Central Asia, he argued, the SCO represents a reliable pillar of stability and a constructive partnership platform, positioning the region to enter a new phase of sustainable development and closer integration.
Read the interview on China News
* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.
