Photo by Ma Cheng and Dai Tao, Jinyun New Media

On August 30, the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization ( SCO ) Summit Media Center hosted a briefing session of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China. Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment Ms. Guo Fang introduced the progress of ecological and environmental cooperation within the SCO framework.

Guo stated that green development and low-carbon transition have become a shared consensus among the vast majority of countries worldwide. Under the SCO framework, President Xi Jinping has consistently advocated for enhanced cooperation and exchanges in green development to promote harmony between humanity and nature. Over the past year, SCO environmental protection cooperation has achieved positive progress.

Guo noted that in recent years, SCO member states have engaged in extensive cooperation across policy dialogue, technical exchange, information sharing, and capacity building. China has spearheaded multiple outcome documents including the "Concept of Cooperation Between Member States of the SCO on Environmental Protection," "the Statement on Addressing Climate Change," and the "Initiative on Strengthening Sustainable Development Cooperation," providing a policy foundation for regional sustainable development. Adhering to the principle of "consultation, cooperation, and sharing," member states have conducted joint research and technical exchanges in areas such as combating land degradation, protecting biodiversity, conserving and utilizing water resources, and developing clean energy. A range of green, practical technologies and solutions have provided effective support for the green development of SCO countries. Concurrently, efforts have been made to establish platforms for knowledge sharing and capacity building. Leveraging the SCO Environmental Information Sharing Platform and the China-SCO Eco-Environmental Innovation Base, annual training sessions, seminars, and field visits are organized. These activities provide environmental management personnel and technical experts from member states with opportunities for exchange, mutual learning, and capacity enhancement, collectively advancing the modernization of the regional environmental governance system and capabilities.

Guo stated that as a founding member of the SCO and the world's largest developing country, China has consistently been a key participant, contributor, and leader in global ecological civilization construction. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China places high importance on ecological civilization and has incorporated it into the overall national development framework, resolutely pursuing a high-quality development path that prioritizes ecology and embraces green, low-carbon development. We will seize the opportunity presented by this summit to further build consensus, broaden cooperation areas, innovate cooperation models, and consolidate the foundation of cooperation with all member states, making new and greater contributions to building a community of life for humanity and nature and creating a clean and beautiful world.

During the Q&A session, when asked how the concepts of "harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" and "building a community with a shared future for mankind" are embodied and implemented in SCO environmental cooperation, Guo stated that China actively practices the concept of ecological civilization within the SCO framework. In Zanatas, Kazakhstan, the 100 MW wind power project constructed by Chinese enterprises has generated over 1.37 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, meeting the power needs of 3 million residents. In Nukus, Uzbekistan, a pilot project combining photovoltaic technology with integrated water and fertilizer management for cotton cultivation, jointly conducted by scientists from both countries, has more than doubled crop yields while significantly reducing water consumption and costs. In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the country's first waste-to-energy project is under construction, which upon completion will substantially improve the living environment and provide green electricity. These projects exemplify China's collaborative efforts with SCO member states in advancing ecological civilization.

Regarding the progress of innovation base construction, Guo stated in response to a question that to implement the consensus reached at the meeting of the heads of SCO member states' ministries and agencies in charge of environmental protection, China has initially selected Shanghai and Qingdao, Shandong Province, to participate in the preparatory work, advancing the initiative systematically. This has preliminarily achieved "three batches", namely identifying a batch of advanced technologies, reserving a batch of demonstration projects for the application of environmental protection technologies, and introducing a batch of R&D institutions, to continuously provide scientific and technological support for the regional green and low carbon transition. Moving forward, efforts will continue to advance environmental policy dialogue and capacity building, establish more knowledge-sharing cooperation networks, strengthen technological innovation and demonstration application cooperation, and build green investment and financing cooperation platforms.

Regarding the environmental protection cooperation of the "Global South," Guo stated that SCO environmental cooperation provides an exemplary model for global South-South environmental collaboration and improving the global environmental governance system, characterized by three key elements: multilateralism, high-level leadership, and pragmatic cooperation. The "Shanghai Spirit" has pioneered a new model of state relations characterized by partnership without alliance and cooperation without confrontation. This approach offers a referenceable development path for many developing countries, helping to unite and lead the Global South in advancing a more just and equitable global environmental governance system.

Guo also addressed questions regarding achievements in ecological and environmental cooperation among member states, biodiversity conservation, regional pollution prevention and control, and ecological protection collaboration.

Photo by Ma Cheng and Dai Tao, Jinyun New Media