The recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin may very well be remembered as a pivotal moment in the global power shift now underway. What began more than two decades ago as a modest regional security forum has steadily expanded its scope, reach, and ambition. Today, it stands not only as the largest regional organization in terms of population and geography but also as a central pillar in China’s strategy for reimagining global governance.

At this year’s summit-the largest in the SCO’s history-over 20 heads of state were joined by representatives of 10 international organizations, including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Laos was welcomed as a new partner, further expanding the SCO’s membership and partnerships to 27 countries. Taken together, the SCO now accounts for a quarter of the world’s landmass, nearly half of its population, and roughly a quarter of global GDP. These figures underscore the organization’s growing weight in international affairs.

But beyond statistics, the Tianjin summit marked a decisive step in repositioning the SCO as something far more ambitious than a security coordination platform. It is becoming, in effect, a testing ground for what China describes as a new model of global governance.

The SCO has always reflected the diverse priorities of its members. Russia has traditionally emphasized security cooperation, while China has pushed economic integration. India, often a difficult partner, participates in both the SCO and the US-aligned Quad, and it continues to block Azerbaijan’s bid for membership while refusing to endorse Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. Türkiye, a NATO member and an SCO partner, adds another layer of complexity.

Yet the Tianjin summit showed that these divergent agendas are increasingly converging around a holistic vision: linking security with development and cooperation. Leaders approved the SCO Development Strategy for 2026–2035, signaling a commitment to long-term institutional evolution. They also adopted the Tianjin Declaration and more than 20 additional agreements covering security, trade, cultural exchange, and........

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