ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The SCO summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, is a significant diplomatic event bringing together leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They are meeting under the banner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), an alliance focused on promoting a multipolar world order and countering Western hegemony.
Putin and Xi have already held bilateral meetings, emphasizing their alliance against Western influence. Erdogan, representing Turkey as a dialogue partner, has also been active, particularly in mediation efforts concerning Ukraine.
The SCO, founded in 2001, includes countries such as China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and several Central Asian nations. Belarus is set to become its 10th full member, underscoring the alliance’s expansion and regional influence.
Key areas of focus for the SCO include security cooperation and economic initiatives. The alliance serves as a platform for discussions on regional stability and development, as well as connectivity projects like China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Geopolitically, while Russia and China cooperate within the SCO, they also compete economically in Central Asia, a region rich in energy resources and vital transport routes. The West, facing sanctions and seeking alternative trade routes, has heightened interest in Central Asia’s strategic importance.
The SCO summit is also significant for its global outreach, involving dialogue partners like Gulf states and featuring addresses by international figures such as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Discussions are expected to encompass regional security concerns, including the situation in Afghanistan post-Taliban rule.
In summary, the Astana summit reflects a gathering of major powers navigating complex geopolitical dynamics, economic rivalries, and efforts to strengthen regional cooperation amidst global shifts in power and influence.
