Uzbekistan’s contribution to strengthening stability and cooperation in the SCO

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Friday, September 12th, 2025

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Tashkent, September 12, 2025 – As the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) approaches its 25th anniversary, the body is entering a new phase of evolution aimed at adapting to rapidly changing geopolitical realities. Against this backdrop, Uzbekistan’s role in strengthening stability, regional cooperation, and constructive dialogue within the SCO framework has gained significant importance.
The upcoming SCO Summit, scheduled for August 31–September 1 in Tianjin, will conclude China’s chairmanship, under which substantial work was undertaken to enhance cooperation. A comprehensive package of agreements is expected to be signed, focusing on regional stability, connectivity, and sustainable development across the SCO space.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan has emphasized that the SCO has become the world’s largest regional organization, uniting nearly half of the global population. He underlined that its attractiveness lies in its non-bloc character, openness, equality, and non-interference in states’ internal affairs.
Uzbekistan’s Strategic Role in the SCO
Uzbekistan’s modern foreign policy over the past eight years has been strongly reflected in its SCO engagement. Tashkent has consistently promoted initiatives aimed at peace, economic development, and regional security, while opposing any transformation of the SCO into a bloc of confrontation.
Since joining the SCO as a founding member, Uzbekistan has hosted landmark summits that shaped the organization’s trajectory. The 2004 Tashkent summit created the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS). In 2010, procedures for admitting new members were adopted, and in 2016, India and Pakistan were admitted.
The 2022 Samarkand Summit, chaired by Uzbekistan, marked another milestone, with more than 40 decisions adopted, including Iran’s accession as a full member and the initiation of Belarus’ membership process. Uzbekistan’s leadership also prioritized Central Asia as the SCO’s core, highlighting the region’s pivotal role in linking South Asian and Middle Eastern members.
Constructive, Pragmatic, and Initiative-Driven Engagement
Under President Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan’s SCO policy is guided by three principles: constructiveness, pragmatism, and initiative.
• Constructiveness: Since 2017, Uzbekistan has expanded its participation across all SCO activities, including counter-terrorism, military exercises, cultural exchanges, and education. This represents a shift from earlier years when the country participated selectively. As Mirziyoyev stated at the 2020 SCO summit: “The SCO is strong only when each of us is strong.”
• Pragmatism: Uzbekistan’s proposals within the SCO reflect both national priorities and shared goals, focusing on sustainable development, connectivity, and innovation. The alignment of these initiatives with the interests of other SCO members has ensured broad support.
• Initiative-Driven: Out of 105 proposals submitted by Uzbekistan in recent years, more than 80 have already been implemented, covering political, economic, and humanitarian spheres. Tashkent has consistently introduced new areas of cooperation that enrich the SCO’s agenda.
Key Priority Areas
Uzbekistan continues to promote a broad agenda within the SCO framework, covering security, economic development, and humanitarian cooperation.
1. Security: Uzbekistan has pushed for stronger collective action against regional and global threats. A key proposal to be discussed at the Tianjin summit is the 2026–2030 Program for Countering Extremist Ideology, designed to strengthen joint efforts against ideological threats to peace.
2. Economic Cooperation: Uzbekistan advocates for enhanced transport and logistics corridors, including the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway. Initiatives also aim at simplifying trade procedures, boosting investment, and building joint production and technology clusters across member states.
3. Humanitarian Cooperation: Cultural exchanges, educational programs, and tourism initiatives are viewed as essential for strengthening mutual understanding among SCO nations. Uzbekistan has promoted cultural diplomacy to reinforce long-term cooperation.
Strengthening Central Asia’s Role
Uzbekistan has worked to consolidate Central Asia as the SCO’s core, serving as a bridge between Eurasian regions. Since 2017, Central Asian states, encouraged by Uzbekistan’s initiatives, have advanced regional consolidation, overcome longstanding disputes, and launched joint projects fostering stability and prosperity.
This approach reflects Uzbekistan’s belief that the SCO should remain focused on dialogue, constructive partnership, and regional integration, rather than geopolitical rivalry.
Looking Ahead
Experts note that the SCO’s further development will continue to rely on its Charter, the Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, and its Medium-Term Development Strategy. Uzbekistan supports expanding cooperation with other international organizations, including the UN, EAEU, and ASEAN, to collectively address global challenges.
The upcoming Tianjin summit is expected to be a milestone in the SCO’s history, demonstrating members’ readiness to adapt to evolving conditions while maintaining unity and cooperation. For Uzbekistan, its proactive engagement reflects a broader vision of using regional platforms to ensure stability, strengthen economic ties, and promote peace across the Eurasian continent.

Bahrom Sotiboldiyev
Head of Department
Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan