From modernising irrigation systems on arid farmlands and equipping students with practical skills through the Luban Workshops to expanding freight and passenger connections, the SCO has achieved tangible results in advancing sustainable development. 

Achievements in poverty reduction, vocational education , and regional connectivity demonstrate how member states are turning cooperation into concrete benefits for their communities, strengthening both shared prosperity and regional integration.

Poverty reduction remains a collective priority among SCO member states. As countries across the region seek to improve living standards and promote inclusive growth, the exchange of development experience has become an increasingly important area of cooperation.

China became the first developing country to meet the United Nations ’ poverty reduction target, achieving it ten years ahead of schedule. 

SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov has attributed this achievement to a combination of sustained economic growth, targeted poverty alleviation policies, investment in education, technological innovation, and environmental protection. He has also noted that China's experience offers valuable lessons for other SCO countries pursuing their own development goals.

Across much of the SCO region, millions of people depend on farming and related industries for their livelihoods, making agricultural modernisation essential to improving rural incomes and promoting sustainable development.

According to Sheradil Baktygulov, Director of the Global Policy Institute of Kyrgyzstan, outdated irrigation and land reclamation technologies remain common challenges for many Central Asian countries, limiting agricultural productivity and rural development.

To address these challenges, China has been sharing modern agricultural technologies and practices with the SCO member states. Water-saving irrigation has become a major area of cooperation. 

In Uzbekistan, where agriculture accounts for around 90% of the country's water consumption, improving irrigation efficiency is particularly important. Despite its arid climate, water-saving irrigation systems historically covered only a small share of the country's farmland.

Through cooperation with China, Uzbekistan introduced drip irrigation technology on 2,000 hectares of farmland in 2024. The project increased water-use efficiency by more than 40% while boosting cotton yields by around 30%.

Similar progress can be seen in Kyrgyzstan. A Chinese-supported irrigation project completed in 2021 is reportedly to provide water access for 11,100 hectares of farmland in the Batken and Issyk-Kul regions, helping around 20,000 farmers increase agricultural production and strengthen their livelihoods.

Beyond irrigation, seed breeding has become another important area of agricultural cooperation.

Wheat is a staple crop in many SCO member states. Yet climate change , water scarcity, and disease pressures continue to affect production. In Pakistan, for example, rust disease remains one of the most destructive threats to wheat crops.

Since 2023, Chinese and Pakistani researchers have been working together to develop new wheat varieties by introducing rust-resistant genetic traits from Chinese wheat into local Pakistani varieties. The new wheat strain has demonstrated strong adaptability to northern Pakistan and increased yields by around 9%.

Cooperation in seed breeding is also delivering results in Kazakhstan, a major wheat-producing and exporting country. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, Kazakhstan exported $1.13 billion worth of wheat in 2024, making it the world's 13 th largest wheat exporter. 

To further enhance production, Chinese agricultural experts worked with local farmers to introduce a new wheat variety in North Kazakhstan, one of the country's main spring-wheat-producing regions. Since its introduction, wheat yields in the area have increased by approximately 28%.

Beyond agricultural technology, SCO countries have adopted lessons from China’s broader approach to targeted poverty alleviation. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, the key method is that local governments identify industries that match local resources, conditions, and market opportunities, helping communities build sustainable sources of income.

This approach is now being adapted in Uzbekistan. According to UZ Daily, projects modelled on China's experience are promoting industries suited to local conditions. On 20,000 hectares of land, farmers are cultivating medicinal and export-oriented crops such as saffron, lavender, and essential oil plants, creating new employment opportunities and generating additional income for rural communities.

Building on the gains from poverty reduction, education becomes the next cornerstone of sustainable development. As the proverb says, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."

To equip young people with practical skills for today's workforce, China has established around 10 Luban Workshops across eight SCO countries. Named after Luban, an ancient Chinese craftsman and inventor, the workshops promote technical expertise, innovation, and hands-on learning.

In Pakistan, a Luban Workshop trains students to operate drones for pesticide spraying in farmland and forest areas. In Russia, students interact with humanoid robots while learning about coding, robotics, and intelligent sensing technologies, encouraging many to pursue careers in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.

By September 2025, the Luban Workshops offered 21 majors and had enrolled approximately 150,000 students from SCO countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. 

Beyond vocational training, the workshops are helping cultivate a new generation of skilled workers and innovators, supporting sustainable development across the SCO region.

Alongside poverty reduction and education, improving connectivity has become another important pillar of sustainable development within the SCO. Better transport, energy, and trade links are helping member states strengthen economic ties, facilitate the movement of goods and people, and create new opportunities for growth.

In transportation, the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area, established in Qingdao, China, in 2018, has played an important role in enhancing regional economic cooperation. In 2025, China-Europe Railway Express services operating from the demonstration area to SCO countries transported more than 840,000 tonnes of cargo, up 20.5% year-on-year. The expanding rail network has helped improve trade efficiency and deepen economic integration across the region.

Energy cooperation among SCO member states has also continued to expand. Cross-border oil and gas pipelines have strengthened regional energy security and promoted closer economic cooperation. 

At the same time, green energy projects are becoming an increasingly important area of collaboration. The Bokhara wind power project, the largest wind power facility in Central Asia, now supplies around 7% of Uzbekistan's electricity demand while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 1.7 million tonnes annually. 

Guided by the Shanghai Spirit, emphasising mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilisations, and the pursuit of common development, the SCO has grown and evolved over the past 25 years.

It brings together countries with different political systems, cultures, and levels of economic development under a framework that emphasises consensus and equal participation. 

Through cooperation in poverty reduction, education, connectivity, and energy, the SCO member states are turning shared development goals into tangible benefits for their people. This demonstrates how the organisation’s spirit of stability, equality, and mutual cooperation transforms regional collaboration into real-world progress.

The article solely represents the views of Chen Ziqi, a Beijing-based journalist with CGTN, known for covering cross-cultural and international stories.

“China and the United States have different national conditions , and differences are inevitable. As the world's two largest economies, occasional frictions are normal,” Xi said.

The meeting produced two key outcomes: the U.S. agreed to cut tariffs on Chinese fentanyl-related exports from 20 percent to 10 percent, and both countries signed a one-year agreement on the supply of strategic rare-earth minerals.

The talks come as Beijing and Washington seek to prevent escalating economic disputes from derailing broader bilateral engagement, with both leaders emphasising cooperation over confrontation.

Vietnam and Australia have signed a three-year defence cooperation plan covering 2025–2027. The agreement was reached on August 12 during the 8th Vietnam-Australia Defence Policy Dialogue between Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Australia’s Deputy Secretary General of Defence, Hugh Jeffrey. General Chien said cooperation had expanded since March, with progress in training, peacekeeping, military medicine and the defence industry. Both sides also discussed regional security, with Vietnam reiterating its “Four Nos” defence policy and support for peaceful dispute resolution under UNCLOS 1982.

Trump-branded resort in Vietnam raises farmer eviction concerns

Thousands of farmers in Quang Ninh province fear eviction as a 990-hectare resort and golf course project, licensed to the Trump Organisation, moves forward. Developed by the Vietnamese firm Kinhbac City, the project will replace farmland with luxury facilities. Farmers report compensation offers of US$12-30 per square metre, which many deem inadequate. “This land has supported my family for decades,” said Nguyen Thi Huong, who was offered about US$3,200 and rice support. Vietnam’s state land ownership allows reclamation for development, a practice that has often displaced rural communities with limited recourse.

Angola, Vietnam sign 7 deals on energy, defence, media

Angola and Vietnam signed seven agreements on August 7 to expand cooperation in sectors including energy, defence, justice, agriculture, and media. The deals were concluded during Vietnamese President Luong Cuong’s official visit. Key agreements cover oil and gas cooperation, mutual legal assistance, prisoner transfers, and an agricultural action plan. Defence ministries agreed to enhance military collaboration, particularly for veterans, while national broadcasters pledged media exchanges. Angola-Vietnam trade reached US$260 million in 2024, with Angola exporting US$240 million worth of goods and importing US$20.4 million from Vietnam.

No more bank credit growth quotas in 2026

Vietnam will remove credit growth quotas for banks in 2026, replacing them with a market-based mechanism. The State Bank of Vietnam will classify institutions by governance, operational health, and safety indicators, with strict supervision to control inflation and prevent systemic risks. The phased rollout will start with 15–20 top-performing banks. Credit will be prioritised for investment, exports, the digital economy, and green projects. Bad debt resolution, cost reduction, and digital transformation remain key goals. The 2025 credit growth target will be adjusted based on inflation and GDP growth before the full removal of quotas.

Indonesia, Vietnam eye stronger food industry partnership

Vietnam and Indonesia have agreed to deepen cooperation in food production and supply following the “Indonesia–Vietnam Food Security Cooperation Forum” on August 11. The event, organised by the Indonesian Consulate General, VCCI, and partners, aims to promote sustainable development and stable food security. Officials noted bilateral trade reached US$16.7 billion in 2024, up 21.2% year-on-year. Both sides discussed boosting logistics links, including connections between Cai Mep–Thi Vai port and Indonesian ports, to strengthen regional food supply chains.

The United States and Pakistan announced a trade deal Thursday, which Islamabad said would boost investment and reduce tariffs, though exact rates weren’t disclosed. Pakistan's finance ministry called it the start of a new era of economic cooperation across sectors like energy, IT, crypto, and mining. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the agreement reflected broader strategic goals beyond trade. Previously facing a possible 29% tariff, Pakistan secured a suspension ahead of the August 1 trade talks deadline, aiming for better terms than regional competitors like Vietnam (20%) and India (threatened with 25%).

Intel says Pakistan is rebuilding terror camps

Pakistan is allegedly reviving terrorism infrastructure with a new approach, an intelligence report reveals. The Pakistan Army, ISI, and other agencies are reportedly aiding major terror groups in reconstructing at least 13 camps and launchpads destroyed in Operation Sindoor, especially near the Line of Control in PoK and the Jammu border. Sites named include Kel, Shardi, Dudhniyal, Lipa Valley, and Jura, among others. Four launchpads near Jammu — Masroor, Chaprar, and a drone hub in Shakargarh — are also being reactivated using advanced techniques and funding from state entities.

Olympian killed in climbing accident

Olympic gold medallist Laura Dahlmeier died after being struck by falling rocks while climbing Laila Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, officials said Wednesday, July 30. Bad weather delayed rescue efforts, and her body has not been recovered. Her partner survived, and local authorities said any recovery attempt would respect her family’s wishes. An Instagram post stated Dahlmeier did not want anyone to risk their life retrieving her body. German President Steinmeier paid tribute, calling her an “exceptional sportswoman” and recalling awarding her the Silver Laurel Leaf in 2018.

Pakistan keeps key rate unchanged to curb inflation

Pakistan’s central bank kept its key rate at 11% on Wednesday, defying expectations of a cut due to worsening inflation driven by higher energy prices. The State Bank cited rising gas costs and a widening trade deficit as key risks, noting that inflation pressures had intensified. All 15 analysts in a Reuters poll had predicted a rate cut. Central Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad said it was prudent to wait rather than risk reversing a premature easing move.

Pakistan repeats claims of 'resounding success' in Operation Sindoor

Pakistan dismissed India’s Operation Sindoor statements in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, July 30, as “baseless and provocative,” accusing New Delhi of spreading disinformation and jingoism. It reiterated claims of military success and warned Indian leaders to acknowledge their losses and third-party roles in the ceasefire. Islamabad also alleged India lacked evidence for the Pahalgam attack and failed to meet strategic goals, while praising its military response as decisive.