Tianjin (TDI): Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, reaffirming Uzbekistan’s long-standing commitment to strengthening dialogue, trust, and cooperation within the bloc.
Since its creation in 2001, the SCO has grown into one of the world’s most influential regional groupings, representing more than 40 percent of the global population and about a quarter of the world’s GDP. With 10 full members, 2 observers, and 14 dialogue partners spanning Asia, Europe, and Africa, the organization has become a stabilizing force in a turbulent geopolitical environment.
At previous SCO meetings, including the Astana summit, President Mirziyoyev emphasized the enduring importance of the “Shanghai Spirit”, mutual trust, equality, cultural respect, and consensus-based decision-making. He stressed that the unity of SCO members is key to unlocking opportunities for collective development.
Uzbekistan has played an active role in shaping the organization’s agenda, from spearheading security initiatives such as the establishment of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure in Tashkent in 2004, to promoting new formats of cooperation in transport, logistics, digitalization, and green energy. At last year’s Council of Heads of Government meeting, Tashkent successfully advanced a Cooperation Concept to deepen economic dialogue among SCO states.
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The country has also given priority to humanitarian cooperation. The opening of the SCO Center for People’s Diplomacy in Tashkent in 2018 marked a milestone in fostering youth exchanges, cultural initiatives, and dialogue between civilizations. Mirziyoyev has since introduced more than 100 initiatives across security, economy, innovation, and humanitarian fields, over 80 of which have already been implemented.
Uzbekistan’s chairmanship of the SCO in 2021–2022 culminated in the historic Samarkand summit, which produced a record 44 agreements on issues ranging from energy and food security to trade and cultural ties. The summit also paved the way for Iran’s full membership and expanded the organization’s partnerships with states such as Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, as well as international organizations like UNESCO and the Arab League.
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As Uzbekistan prepares to take part in the Tianjin summit, Mirziyoyev’s presence highlights Tashkent’s role as one of the SCO’s driving forces. For Uzbekistan, the organization is not just a regional platform but a genuine bridge of trust among nations, one that strengthens stability, deepens economic integration, and promotes dialogue for the prosperity of peoples across Eurasia.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
