Iranian Delegation Attends SCO Summit in China

An Iranian delegation headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian participated in the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, 2025. The summit brought together leaders and officials from over 20 countries, including all 10 full SCO member states, observer nations, and dialogue partners, making it the largest gathering in the bloc's history. The event's agenda centered on regional security, economic integration, and efforts to shape a multipolar world order.

Iran’s Strategic Goals and Diplomatic Engagements

Iran’s presence at the summit underscored its commitment to leveraging multilateral institutions like the SCO to counter Western influence and international sanctions. President Pezeshkian articulated Iran’s vision of the SCO as a platform to confront unilateralism and promote multilateralism. He proposed the creation of a "shared digital infrastructure" using central bank digital currencies to bypass financial sanctions, highlighting Iran’s strategy to deepen economic ties with member states and reduce reliance on Western financial systems. On the sidelines of the summit, Pezeshkian held high-level bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, discussing economic cooperation, regional security, and political alignment, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

Broader SCO Summit Outcomes and Regional Implications

The Tianjin summit saw the adoption of the SCO’s Development Strategy until 2035, aiming to expand trade, investment, and energy cooperation among member states. China pledged substantial financial support, including $280 million in aid and $1.4 billion in loans, and advocated for the establishment of an SCO Development Bank to facilitate transactions in national currencies. The summit also produced the Tianjin Declaration, reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to mutual trust, respect for sovereignty, and inclusive economic globalization. Security cooperation against terrorism and the development of transport corridors aligned with China’s Belt and Road Initiative were key topics. The summit concluded with the transfer of SCO chairmanship to Kyrgyzstan and the designation of Cholpon-Ata as the “Tourist and Cultural Capital of the SCO” for 2025–2026.

Iran’s active participation and diplomatic outreach during the summit signal its intent to play a more prominent role in Eurasian regional affairs, strengthening economic and security partnerships within the SCO framework.