Tag: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Global Governance Initiative: Addressing longstanding governance gaps in the Global South

Posted on By Alan Collins Mpewo

On 01st September, 2025, His Excellency Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus meeting held in Tianjin, China proposed the Global Governance Initiative that took in mind a foundational basis of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the world anti-fascist war and the resultant birthing of the United Nations Organization. Eighty years seem to be little time, but its consequences, if being weighed, would give a balanced view and proper judgment that this is not a past that anyone today and the years to come, should look to. This historical perspective is important because if lost in time, errors are often bound to be made as we see the state affairs of the world today. The very first one being the hegemonism that has often been flaunted by certain superpowers in times when impartiality is most needed, and the protectionism that comes with it in protecting their allies.

The five propositions from the Global Governance Initiative laid forth include; first, being adherence to sovereign equality. The second was abiding by international rule of law. The third, practicing multilateralism. Fourth, advocating for a people-centered approach. And finally, was a focus on taking real action. At the center of the Global Governance Initiative is the abiding to International Law. And this has its foundational basis in the United Nations Charter that gives genesis of the operations framework by the countries that ascribe and assent to being members of the United Nations (UN). On protectionism, a look at Resolutions 242 and Resolution 338 by the UN, a sample of which called on Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories that belong to Palestine, to this day, remains a disturbing position for many UN members because severely, despite coming up to take a stand of the inadequacies that have seen loss of countless lives and property in the Gaza Strip, there is still not so much that can be done as implementation because of the right hand who at the end, has veto powers – Protectionism. The United States always folds and tilts towards Israel, rather than taking a stand of the majority – both permanent and non-permanent members to the UN Human Rights Council.

Today the world is facing global disruptions some of which are stimulated by geopolitical fragmentation. An increase in conflicts and alliances can be seen in the Middle East and the Southern China sea. Increasing economic decoupling and this is also seen in the United States and China trade wars that have led to serious effects to global economic stability. Sanctions have become a common practice. Climate crisis that has led to conversations about climate change and importantly a decline in the climate commitments such as was agreed by member states to the Paris Agreement, 2016. Technology – the world of science is taking a leap as is being seen by the Artificial Intelligence (AI) growth and adaptations which have a count on information access, misinformation and disinformation, cyber security threats and, the freedom of privacy and protection of personal data and security systems. Global health challenges that have led to modification in warfare and sovereign interruptions such as the COVID-19 outbreak that caused alarm, the current conversation on mental health that has become a raging topic globally, and the straining healthcare systems.

The economic inequality that has contributed to labor mobility and displacement of persons at all facets such as conflict, economic disability, and the broader questions of climate change that have an effect on the constantly changing border control dynamics while creating an imbalance on international humanitarian systems. There is also being seen to-date the birthing of empires that have been named ‘regional blocks’ but at the same time, an indictment to international institutions that are registering drastic decline in the majority of the world. Space remains a conflicting ground and as such militarization has spurred ever more conflict and a scramble for biotech in today’s growing age of genetic engineering.

The dynamism of the foregoing is not without question. The place of the Global South. Often neglected, but remembered at times of sourcing for alliance when global superpowers seek control over adversaries. The  Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is rallying its members to take on Global Governance as a critical point of concern.The responses that were recommended in the Global Governance Framework have potential of attaining in the Global South because of the existent framework – The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). China’s inclusive mutual benefit principle of diplomacy will enable guarantee closure of gaps observed in the UN Framework towards the Global South. The consensus of the SCO members to open cooperation across the globe is a welcome response to cover for the rigidity of Western commercial trading that has for decades closed export of a chunk of produce (raw and industrialised output) and hegemony. Access to credit has often been marred with harsh terms – a tale of IMF – and yet the Global South remains with minimal influence in the institution despite being the most recipients to the credit. And so goes for peace and security as dictated by the West. Shocking that the Global South has no permanent member on the UN Security Council? Such are some of the broader governance gaps that are in sight. The initiative will gain reception, in time.

 

The writer is a Senior Research Fellow, Development Watch Centre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Xi’s Speech at the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit: A Global Reckoning

Posted on By Allawi Ssemanda

“This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. It is a milestone prompting us to remember the past and create a better future together. Eighty years ago, the international community learned profound lessons from the scourge of two world wars, and founded the United Nations, thus writing a new page in global governance. Eighty years later, while the historical trends of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit remain unchanged, the Cold War mentality, hegemonism and protectionism continue to haunt the world. New threats and challenges have been only increasing. The world has found itself in a new period of turbulence and transformation.” These were the opening words of Chinese President, Xi Jiniping, in a speech at the just-concluded meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus, held in the Chinese port city of Tianjin, from 31st August to 1st September, 2025.

This year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, which was the 25th Heads of State Council Meeting, attracted more than 20 leaders from different countries, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russia’s President Vadimir Putin, Turkiye’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It was also attended by over 10 heads of international organizations, including United Nations’ Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.

The summit came at time when the world is faced with unprecedented challenges, such as Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and the raging Russia-Ukraine crisis. It came at a time when some major countries are prioritizing unilateralism and protectionism, weaponizing trade tariffs against other countries, or coercing and blackmailing others into accepting open hegemony and economic bullying. It is a time when some capitals are embracing mutual isolation and fragmentation instead of supporting win-win cooperation. All this threatens economic globalization and the aspirations of the World Trade Organization that supports a rules-based multilateral trading system that has for years promoted stable global trade, arguably guaranteeing economic growth and sustainable development as an unalienable right of all countries, and not the privilege of a few powerful ones.

Drawing inspiration from history, President Xi argued that in difficult times, countries must “uphold our original commitment to peaceful coexistence, strengthen our confidence in win-win cooperation, advance in line with the trend of history, and thrive in keeping pace with the times.” He then proposed a Global Governance Initiative (GGI), stressing that it would strengthen the systems of the current international order, which he described as facing three deficiencies. Xi identified the first deficiency as the underrepresentation of the Global South, stressing that the “collective rise of emerging markets and developing countries necessitates boosting the representation of the Global South and redressing historical injustice.” He saw the second deficiency as the erosion of authoritativeness, characterised by failure to observe the principles, and serve the purpose, the U.N. Charter. In this regard, he decried the fact that some countries don’t respect resolutions of the Security Council, and abuse unilateral sanctions, thereby violating international law and disrupting international order. Xi saw the third deficiency of the systems of the current international order as the limited effectiveness of the implementation of the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which, he stressed, is lagging behind. Xi then pledged that China is committed to working with all countries for a more just and equitable system of global governance.

President Xi proposed five ideas to help move the world from the politics of hegemony, the Cold War mentality, block formation, and uniliateralism, to a fair and peaceful world where the future is decided and discussed by all, and international affairs are addressed through consultations other than power politics. In his view, the five ideas will help build a global village as a community of a shared future and shared prosperity for humankind.

President Xi further emphasized the need to adhere to sovereign equality among nations, stressing that “all countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equal participants, decision-makers and beneficiaries in global governance.” He also called for the promotion of what he described as “greater democracy in international relations and [increasing] the representation and voice of developing countries.” One can argue that while African countries were not at the SCO table in Tianjin, broadly speaking, their aspirations were ably tabled in Xi’s speech.

Further, Xi called on all countries to observe, and abide by, the international rule of law which, he argued, was a major reason for the establishment of the UN. “The purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and other universally recognized basic norms of international relations must be observed comprehensively, fully and in their entirety … International law and rules should be applied equally and uniformly,” he stressed.

Explaining the critical role of consultation and togetherness in building lasting peace and meaningful development, President Xi underscored the importance of practicing multilateralism, and standing in solidarity against unilateralism, stressing the need for the world to “firmly safeguarding the status and authority of the United Nations and ensure its irreplaceable, key role in global governance.”

Highlighting the principle of equality, Xi called for reforming of the global order to make it people-centred and ensure that “people of every nation are actors in, and beneficiaries of, global governance.” This, Xi argued will help to “better tackle the common challenges for mankind, narrow the North-South gap, and better safeguard the common interests of all countries.”

President Xi further called for a focus “on taking real actions”, adding,  “We should adopt a systematic and holistic approach, coordinate global actions, fully mobilize various resources, and strive for more visible outcomes. We should enhance practical cooperation to prevent the governance system from lagging behind or being fragmented.”

While SCO was established in 1996 as a security grouping, named the “Shanghai Five,” and initially comprising of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan and Tajikistan, today, its membership accounts for 23% of the global economy, and 43% of the world’s, population. Given that security was a primary goal of the formation of SCO, the aspirations of the organization cater for the concerns of the wider global south. For example, unlike other groupings, such as NATO which was also formed for security purposes, the SCO definition of indivisible security caters not for just members, but for all countries. While SCO argues that to achieve sustainable and meaningful security, every country’s interests should be taken into account while at the same time addressing global issues, NATO only thinks about its members’ security.

To sum up, the success of the 25th SCO meeting, and future meetings of the same organization, are good news, not just for the SCO members, but for the entire global south and the world at large. This is because, as the group’s articulation of its concept of indivisible security demonstrates, SCO priotizes not just its members’ interests, but the interests of the entire world.

The writer is a Senior Research Fellow at the Development Watch Centre.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Milestones & Looking to the Future

Posted on By Joshua Kingdom

Between August 31st and September 1st, members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) met in the Chinese city of Tianjin for this year’s heads of state summit. Several milestones were arrived at during the event and they matter in two broad respects. The first regards the fact that it was a crowning of what has been an incredible run by Beijing since the country’s ascendency to the rotating presidency last year. Secondly, and most important for our discussion here, are its the implications for international relations.

As the body’s name suggests, one of the outstanding objectives is a strategy of working together by members on areas such as “politics, trade, economy, science and technology, culture, education, energy, transport” among others. And indeed, this was exhibited in Tianjin with over twenty nations coming to attend.

This number is a significant increase from the six nations that signed the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization back in 2002 when SCO first came into existence there providing a real counterbalance in a world that is increasingly being swept by the winds of nationalism. And President Xi Jinping did not hesitate to point out this in his SCO plus meeting remarks using the words “hegemony”, “protectionism”, and “Cold War mentality” to describe the current moment in global politics.

Furthermore, SCO has embraced what has come to be known as the “Shanghai spirit” and by the look of things, it is proving to be the very thing that the overlooked countries are yarning for. The spirit is what governs the internal dealings of member states and it is composed of six tenets i.e. “mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development.” It is no surprise then that the 2025 conference was the biggest of its kind yet. For nations outside the bracket, the org has embraced “non-alignment, non-targeting at other countries or regions and the principle of openness.”

But it is not only SCO members that appreciate the emerging disturbing dynamics on the international scene. The difference is that the umbrella has shown that it has the capability to respond in ways that not many alliances can. Having worked with different high level associations overtime for example (among them the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), its activities now catch eyes of crucial stakeholders. On this occasion, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres flew in to attend the SCO plus meeting as well as engaging with the new Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretary General, Nurlan Yermekbayev. Access like this means that policies formulated by the entity are more likely to have impact world over.

It is worth considering too that the countries involved in the SCO are key players in global affairs so their synergy cannot be wished away as was evident at the Tianjin summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin of Russia (both leaders of countries whose economies are ranked in the world’s top ten) thus, got to engage in a lengthy conversation on its sidelines. The exchange came in handy not least because of the attacks that the Indian Prime Minister had to endure from the white House recently over his resolve to import Russian oil.

For its part, China promised $280 million aid to member states and five times more money in loans a commitment that is crucial since in the end, everything goes back to the economics. Otherwise, there have been many political blocs with very noble causes that have come up in the past but there visions have not been realized simply because they lacked a financial muscle.

Each of the milestones we looked at are remarkable in-and-of themselves but they are even more so when one views them in light of the bold plan that President Xi tabled for a new world order during the summit. Calling it the “Global Governance Initiative”, he pushed for a system that was more equitable and just for all people. Seeing as these very objectives have been achieved to spectacular proportions within SCO, it will be much easier for countries looking on from outside to appreciate things. And of course, SCO nations will be more likely to push through the new step too.

The writer is a research fellow at the Development Watch Centre.