An SCO blue book launch event is held in Beijing on Thursday. [Photo by Fu Xiaoya/chinadaily.com.cn]

The China Institute of International Studies and the China Shanghai Cooperation Organization Research Center released a publication entitled Sustainable Development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Building a Better Homeland Together in Beijing on Thursday.

The SCO Blue Book is the first in the China Institute of International Studies' country and regional studies series, and is also the seventh blue book issued by the China SCO Research Center.

According to the Blue Book, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the SCO has delivered tangible results in areas including poverty reduction, education, green development, the digital economy, connectivity, vocational training, cross-border e-commerce and energy cooperation, providing strong impetus for development across the region.

A key highlight of the Blue Book is the participation of prominent scholars from countries such as Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Their contributions offer diverse perspectives on the priorities and expectations of different member states regarding sustainable development cooperation, making its an important window into how the international community view the SCO's future role.

Li Ziguo, secretary-general of the China SCO Research Center and director of the Department for Eurasian Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, noted that the SCO is currently facing a complex external environment marked by growing global disorder and frequent regional tensions. At the same time, the rise of emerging powers and the rapid advancement of digital technologies and artificial intelligence are playing an increasingly important role in the global landscape.

Cover of the SCO blue book on sustainable development [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Despite significant differences among SCO member states in political systems, development stages and cultural traditions, they share common goals of national rejuvenation and modernization, as well as common challenges such as climate change, cybersecurity, food security and energy security. Li emphasized that to sustain long-term growth, the SCO must seek the greatest common ground for cooperation under new circumstances. Against this backdrop, sustainable development — characterized by low political sensitivity and high alignment of interests — has emerged as one of the most promising areas for cooperation.

Li Yongquan, chair of the Academic Committee at the Institute of Eurasian Social Development, Development Research Center of the State Council; Xu Poling, head of the Russian Economic Research Section, Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; and Li Xin, director of the Eurasian Institute of the China-SCO Base for International Judicial Exchange and Cooperation Training, delivered in-depth comments on the Blue Book from multiple perspectives.

Participants agreed that green and sustainable development is an inevitable path for human progress. The SCO should further deepen cooperation in this area by advancing practical initiatives and projects, thereby supporting economic and social transformation in the region and promoting higher-quality development.