The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), since its founding in 2001 as a regional intergovernmental entity, has gradually expanded its role beyond its initial political and security focus. In recent years, the organization has placed increasing emphasis on fostering science and technology cooperation among its member states, carving out a new path as a platform that unites innovation-driven development with regional stability. A prime example of this strategic shift occurred on June 12, 2025, when the Ninth Meeting of Heads of Ministries and Departments of Science and Technology of SCO Member States convened in Chengdu, China. Hosted by Chinese Science and Technology Minister Yin Hejun, the meeting marked a renewed commitment within the SCO to prioritize multilateral scientific collaboration and joint research initiatives that align with sustainable development goals and regional challenges.
Reflecting on the SCO’s evolution reveals a fascinating transformation. What once functioned primarily as a security-focused coalition has morphed into a multifaceted forum that also champions economic, cultural, and scientific ties among its diverse members. This broadening of mission underscores the growing acknowledgment by member states that technological innovation is indispensable for long-term geopolitical steadiness and economic growth. Chinese leadership, in particular, has been notably vocal about the need for open, equitable, and mutually beneficial international cooperation in science and technology. China’s current presidency of the SCO has vividly illustrated this approach by advancing initiatives such as the Belt and Road Science and Technology Community. This initiative strives to integrate the innovation ecosystems across participating countries, leveraging regional synergies to accelerate technological progress.
At the 2025 Chengdu meeting, SCO science ministers and their delegations conducted a thorough review of ongoing multilateral research projects and formulated strategic plans for innovation cooperation that address shared priorities. Discussions also spotlighted national policies enhancing the scientific and technological landscape, with a strong emphasis on fostering environments conducive to open knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and expertise pooling. The collaborative agenda aims to tackle pressing regional challenges such as climate change mitigation, governance of artificial intelligence (AI), and the advancement of cutting-edge industrial technologies. The meeting echoed previous virtual gatherings chaired by Kazakhstan and other members, reaffirming the SCO’s dedication to practical cooperation frameworks that facilitate the application of AI and emerging tech innovations. This collective approach exemplifies a shift from isolated national efforts to cooperative, cross-border scientific engagement.
One of the most compelling facets of the SCO’s scientific agenda is the dynamic balance between collaboration and competition in the global science and technology arena. While China’s ascent as a scientific powerhouse—highlighted by its centralized science and technology commissions—places it at the forefront of innovation, the SCO seeks to harmonize this rise by integrating the capabilities of all member states. Avoiding redundancy and fragmented initiatives is key to ensuring collective progress within the organization. The recently held Belt and Road Forum on Science and Technology in Chengdu reinforced this strategy by promoting the “Innovation Silk Road” concept. This paradigm encourages constructing innovation platforms that transcend governmental boundaries to include academia, industry players, and civil society. Such inclusion broadens the scope and impact of scientific exchange, fostering ecosystems where research and technology development align with shared developmental objectives.
China’s advocacy for an open global science and technology environment echoes prominently through statements made by senior officials like Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, who champions an innovation landscape free from discrimination and conducive to worldwide collaboration. This positioning gains even greater significance amid a geopolitical climate fraught with technological rivalry and sovereignty debates. The SCO’s multilateral framework buffers its members from the zero-sum thinking that often pervades broader international relations, promoting a win-win model where joint research serves both economic and security interests in the region. Beyond China’s leadership, other member states like South Africa actively engage in this sci-tech dialogue, exemplified by Science Minister Blade Nzimande’s enthusiasm for collaboration highlighted before attending the Belt and Road conference. This outward-looking approach underscores the SCO’s aspiration to expand its influence and inclusiveness in shaping regional scientific cooperation.
At the forefront of SCO’s scientific collaborations lies artificial intelligence, which emerges as a prominent area for developing ethical research, commercialization pathways, and governance structures. This focus harmonizes member nations’ pursuit of technological advancement with the need for shared frameworks that ensure responsible innovation. The expected outcome is a measured AI deployment that accounts for the diverse social, economic, and political realities across SCO countries, mitigating potential risks without stifling progress. Alongside AI, burgeoning initiatives in industrial innovation, digital infrastructure, and sustainable technology adoption are gaining momentum. Collectively, these developments signal the SCO’s ambition to transition from a mere regional security conglomerate into a robust institution spearheading science and technology-led development, capable of addressing contemporary and future regional challenges.
The Ninth Meeting of Heads of Ministries and Departments of Science and Technology of SCO Member States in Chengdu thus marks a pivotal juncture in the organization’s trajectory. It symbolized a concrete reaffirmation of member states’ commitment to broadening collaboration, sharing innovation policies, and jointly harnessing transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence and sustainable industrial processes. Chinese stewardship, through platforms like the Belt and Road Science and Technology Community, continues to steer the SCO toward becoming a regional nucleus for science diplomacy and collaborative innovation. This collective commitment not only promises to advance regional socio-economic development but also positions the SCO as a noteworthy actor within the broader global scientific and technological landscape, contributing positively to shared efforts addressing critical global challenges.
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