Forging unity through media: 2025 SCO Media Cooperation Forum in Xinjiang

THE 2025 Media Cooperation Forum of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries, hosted by People’s Daily, concluded in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, marking a milestone in cross-border media collaboration.

- BY CHARUMINI DE SILVA

Over 300 representatives from media organisations, Government bodies, and academia across 26 countries, including member States, observer States, and dialogue partners, participated, with senior officials from the SCO Secretariat, Ministers responsible for media, and senior journalists from mainstream media, including the Daily FT among them.

It was a powerful declaration that countries spanning Central Asia, South Asia, Eastern Europe and beyond are ready to shape their own stories together.

The forum, held on 23 May, featured a variety of activities, including the Media Dialogue of SCO Countries and 2025 Youth Cultural Exchange Camp activities, aiming to enhance cultural understanding and deepen media cooperation.

Platform rooted in 'Shanghai Spirit'

The forum served as a vibrant platform for dialogue, mutual learning, and forward-looking cooperation.

Since its establishment in 2001, the SCO has emphasised the ‘Shanghai Spirit’—mutual trust, benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilisation, and pursuit of common development. These principles were echoed throughout the forum, which adopted the theme, ‘Building a More Beautiful Home Together for a Prosperous Future.’

Speakers unanimously highlighted the importance of truthful, objective, and balanced journalism in fostering mutual understanding, dispelling misinformation, and boosting public support for SCO initiatives.

China International Communications Group (CICG) Vice President Yu Yunquan addressing the event noted the growing significance of the SCO as a platform for regional collaboration in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

He highlighted the transformative role of emerging technologies and cultural exchange in strengthening people-to-people connections, noting that the media plays a crucial role in bringing global communities together.