SCO Tianjin Summit puts tech, AI, and digital governance high on the agenda

SCO 2025 Summit Famili Photo

Tech, artificial intelligence, and digital issues played a prominent role during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin on 1 December. The resulting SCO Tianjin Declaration championed the principles of cyber sovereignty and equal rights for all nations in governing the internet and AI, outlining a clear agenda for regional and global digital policy.

Here are the key highlights:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The SCO endorsed a push for inclusive AI development, formally backing the UN General Assembly resolution on AI capacity-building, which highlights the “equal right to develop and utilise AI.” To operationalise this vision, the declaration supports two major initiatives:

  • The establishment of a Central Asian AI Centre in Dushanbe.
  • The creation of a dedicated SCO mechanism for cooperation in artificial intelligence.

This commitment was reinforced by a separate statement issued during the summit on deepening international collaboration in the field.

Cybersecurity

In the cybersecurity realm, the SCO’s focus is on the central role of the United Nations in establishing global norms. The Tianjin Declaration specifically called for the signing of the UN Convention on Cybercrime, signalling the organisation’s preference for a UN-led framework for international cybersecurity.

Digital Economy

To foster regional growth, the summit advanced cooperation in the digital economy. Member states adopted a formal statement on strengthening digital economic development. A key outcome was the call to establish a dedicated SCO program aimed at enhancing cooperation on e-commerce among member states.

Higher relevance

Global Governance Initiative, as outlined by Chinese President Xi during the Summit, put forward the following five guiding principles: adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practising multilateralism, advocating the people-centred approach, and focusing on taking real actions. As tech, AI, and digital governance are one of the focus areas of the Initiative, it remains to be seen how it will impact the UN and other processes and initiatives.