BEIJING, September 7-2025 — A senior Chinese diplomat has hailed this year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit as the largest in its history, underscoring its growing influence in international affairs. Additionally, an Iranian presidential envoy recognized Masoud Pezeshkian’s attendance as an essential milestone that strengthens both its role and regional solidarity within SCO.
Historic Scale of the Summit
According to the envoy, the 2025 summit saw participation by all member states, observer nations, and dialogue partners since its creation in 2001. He stressed that such broad participation illustrated its increasing relevance at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments.
“This summit was not only the largest in terms of participation but also one of the most dynamic in terms of outcomes,” noted an envoy, noting the numerous new cooperation agreements signed covering security, trade, energy and digital connectivity.
Pezeshkian’s Presence Recognized
At this year’s summit, special attention was paid to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s participation, his first since taking office earlier this year. Chinese envoy Zhang Feng described Pezeshkian’s presence at the summit as being symbolic of Iran’s deeper integration into regional frameworks as well as being a clear sign of solidarity among Eurasian nations.
Iran officially joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in 2023, heralded as a diplomatic breakthrough after years of economic isolation. Pezeshkian’s visit marked Iran’s most visible engagement with the bloc since his election, and Chinese officials reiterated their commitment to supporting Tehran’s role in regional cooperation.
Strengthen Regional Cooperation
The envoy stressed that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is expanding beyond its original mandate of combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism to become a platform for economic partnerships, infrastructure development projects, cultural exchanges between Eurasia nations, and cultural exchanges across Eurasia.
“President Pezeshkian’s participation adds new momentum to these goals,” stated the envoy, noting Iran’s energy resources, transit corridors, and strategic location make it a crucial player in regional integration projects such as Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
China views the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a crucial stabilization force, helping its members cope with global uncertainties ranging from supply chain disruptions to security concerns.
Diplomatic Context
This year’s summit takes place amid rising global tensions, such as ongoing conflicts, shifting alliances, and economic rivalry. Some analysts point out that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has emerged as an alternative forum to Western-led forums by giving member states an alternative space in which to formulate cooperative agendas.
Iran is taking steps to realign its foreign policy by strengthening ties with Asian powers, and Pezeshkian’s presence at the meeting symbolizes this effort. Analysts suggest that Iran’s participation in multilateral forums such as SCO will allow it greater diplomatic leverage while signalling resistance against isolationist pressures.
Looking Forward
The Chinese envoy concluded by emphasizing how the expanding membership and influence of the SCO are evidence of its growing global multipolarity. He asserted that “The summit proved our cooperation is stronger than ever. With leaders like President Pezeshkian providing dialogue opportunities, the SCO will remain a bridge of peace, development and shared prosperity.”
As the bloc prepares to meet for follow-up ministerial meetings later in 2018, all eyes will remain focused on how member states translate the ambitious declarations from this summit into tangible outcomes for their citizens.