As the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025 approaches in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, green transformation and sustainable development have taken centre stage in China’s presidency of the regional bloc. Leaders from over 20 nations and representatives of 10 international organisations are set to attend, making it the largest SCO summit to date.
Clean Energy and Green Transformation
China has accelerated cooperation with SCO partners on renewable energy, with landmark projects reshaping regional power generation. In Kazakhstan’s Akmola region, a Chinese-built wind farm now supplies clean electricity directly to Astana, while Uzbekistan has seen major ecological rehabilitation efforts in the Aral Sea basin, where Chinese experts introduced salt-tolerant plants and water-saving irrigation technologies to restore fragile ecosystems.
Beyond Central Asia, the Al Dhafra solar project in the UAE, an SCO dialogue partner, can power 200,000 homes, cut 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, and create thousands of jobs. Meanwhile, the Huadian-Teninskaya plant in Russia and Kyrgyzstan’s first waste-to-energy project underscore China’s growing role in regional green infrastructure.
Green Mobility and Sustainable Cities
Chinese-made new energy vehicles (NEVs) and electric buses are rapidly gaining traction across Central Asian cities. In Almaty, Kazakhstan, residents praised the eco-friendly buses during “Green Mobility Week,” while in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, demand for Chinese electric cars is rising. Uzbekistan imported nearly 24,000 electric cars in 2024, 99% from China, showing the growing trust in Chinese green technologies.
Agricultural Innovation for Food Security
Agricultural cooperation is another pillar of the SCO’s sustainable agenda. The SCO Demonstration Base for Agricultural Technology Exchange and Training, established in 2019, has dispatched over 190 expert groups, introduced more than 110 high-quality crop varieties, and trained 2,400 agricultural officials. In Kazakhstan and Belarus, Chinese wheat varieties have boosted yields by up to 60%, while smart irrigation in Uzbekistan has halved water consumption.
Shared Commitment to a Greener Future
With 2025 declared the “SCO Year of Sustainable Development,” China is working with member states to advance poverty reduction, food security, climate action, and digital transformation under the Shanghai Spirit. Experts say these initiatives not only enhance regional well-being but also set a model for low-carbon, inclusive growth.
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