Dr. Abbos Bobokhonov, Head of the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies at IAIS, noted that the key challenge for the SCO is the transition from accumulated political potential to the implementation of specific projects and the creation of effective mechanisms for cooperation. In his view, it is precisely the organization’s ability to ensure practical results from its decisions that will determine its continued significance for the countries of Central Asia.
In this context, the upcoming SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan could serve as an indicator of the organization’s readiness to move from expanding its membership to deeper institutional development. Among the key factors likely to influence the SCO’s future evolution, experts highlight internal reforms, the prospects for establishing the organization’s own bank, and the nature of cooperation between Russia and China. For the Central Asian states, the challenge remains to strengthen their own agency and advance the regional agenda within the framework of the organization.
* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.
