Baku: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s active involvement in recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summits signifies Baku’s strong commitment to the platform, according to Shen Shiwei, founder and Chief Editor of the China Briefing newsletter, in a statement to AZERTAC. Shen noted President Aliyev’s participation in summits, including the one held in Tianjin, as a clear indication of Azerbaijan’s strategic engagement with the SCO, which is crucial for fostering connections between the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, China has consistently endorsed the elevation of Azerbaijan’s status within the SCO, acknowledging its substantial potential. Shen highlighted Azerbaijan’s pivotal role in the Middle Corridor, which is part of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. As global supply chains continue to diversify, this route is gaining importance for Eurasian interconnectivity, linking China and Central Asia with European markets. Azerbaijan’s involvement is seen as directly supporting the SCO’s objectives to enhance transport connectivity.
Furthermore, Azerbaijan’s position as a significant energy player was underscored. The country not only provides a steady supply of oil and gas but is also shifting its focus towards green energy. The concept of a Green Energy Corridor, which would connect Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe, introduces a new facet to the SCO’s energy security agenda, aligning with the organization’s promotion of green industrialization.
Shen emphasized Azerbaijan’s capability to operationalize connectivity by integrating its transport and energy infrastructure within the broader SCO framework. This integration has the potential to transform the SCO into a functional economic bloc stretching from the Pacific to the Caspian Sea and beyond.
Discussing the ongoing SCO Summit in Bishkek, Shen pointed out that in today’s fast-evolving and sometimes volatile world, the dialogue and cooperation opportunities within the SCO are not merely significant but essential. He reflected on the momentum observed at the previous Tianjin Summit, noting that Bishkek represents a crucial transition from strategic consensus to tangible execution. The Tianjin Summit had outlined the SCO Development Strategy through 2035, and Bishkek now serves as the testing ground for its implementation.
Economically, Shen observed that opportunities are shifting from traditional trade to what he termed ‘new growth engines.’ Progress is evident in the proposed establishment of the SCO Development Bank, aimed at addressing long-term infrastructure financing gaps. Additionally, there is aggressive expansion into the digital economy and green energy sectors. Initiatives like ‘Silk Road E-commerce’ and collaborative renewable energy projects in Central Asia are contributing to the creation of a resilient supply chain and a shared digital future. Shen concluded by stating that the SCO is evolving from a security-centric mechanism into a comprehensive platform for global governance and economic development, offering a formidable alternative to fragmentation.