Tianjin: China has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will attend the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, scheduled to take place in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. Around 30 heads of state and leaders of international organizations are expected at the event.

China, holding the SCO chairmanship for 2024–2025, will host the 25th Heads of State Council meeting in Tianjin, marking the country’s fifth time hosting the summit. Preparations are being overseen by Chinese officials, including Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin and Tianjin municipal leaders.

According to Liu Bin, the summit will focus on regional cooperation and "neighborhood diplomacy," aiming to strengthen ties among SCO member and partner nations.

The SCO, established in 2001 by China, Russia, and Central Asian countries, has expanded to include India, Pakistan, and Iran, with its agenda encompassing security cooperation, economic integration, and regional development initiatives.

The confirmed attendance of Putin and Guterres highlights the summit’s geopolitical significance, signaling Russia’s ongoing collaboration with China and the UN’s engagement with emerging multilateral forums. Observers note that the summit comes amid ongoing global tensions, providing a platform for diplomatic dialogue and coordination on regional stability and development.