THE SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION: POLICY ON DIGITALIZATION AND INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION SECURITY
Under the general editorship of Vladislav Sherstyuk[1]
National Association of International Information Security (NAIIS), Moscow, 2025
ISBN 978-5-6054212-1-4 NAIIS
(published in English)
URL: https://namib.online/2025/07/shanhajskaja-organizacija-sotrudnichestva-politika-v-oblasti-cifrovizacii-i-mezhdunarodnoj-informacionnoj-bezopasnosti/
A major reconsideration of global development models and a search for alternatives to Western-centric approaches to global governance are hallmarks of the period of transition that the world is currently experiencing. At the same time, the impact of information and communications technologies on these global processes is increasing rapidly due to the emergence of strategic competition. Digital technologies are frequently seen as a way to achieve global dominance.
In this regard, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an association capable of becoming another center of power for the formation of a new, equitable, and inclusive world order, offering effective alternative options for global development based on the principles of inclusiveness and transparency, and reflecting the interests of the global majority and countries of the Global South. This also applies to policies and approaches to such important processes influencing global development as digitalization policy, global ICT governance, and international information security (IIS).
The National Association of International Information Security (NAIIS) prepared the analytical collection “The Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Policy on Digitalization and International Information Security”, which is a fundamental analytical work that provides a thorough, methodical, and in-depth study of one of the most urgent and rapidly evolving areas of the modern world order: the process of global digitalization and guaranteeing the safe use of new technologies.
This analytical collection focuses on the activities of the SCO, an organization that plays a key role in the development of a multipolar world order and serves as a powerful driver of global development transformation. Particular attention is paid to analyzing the experience of SCO member states in developing information and communications technologies (ICT), implementing innovations, including artificial intelligence technologies, and ensuring information security and digital sovereignty.
The relevance of the topic analyzed by NAIIS experts is undeniable. The described transformation of the global governance system and the process of building an inclusive world order are proceeding painfully and are accompanied by intense strategic competition, during which digital technologies themselves are being used for information and psychological warfare and systemic cyberattacks on the ICT infrastructure of target actors. For example, the United States has been developing a strategy of constant engagement and preventive cyberdefense for several years now. This strategy involves the constant implementation of preemptive cyber operations, short of armed conflict, in real time against potential adversaries and as close as possible to the source of the suspected aggression, with the aim of challenging their superiority, imposing additional strategic costs on them, and simultaneously reaffirming the United States’ strategic superiority in cyberspace. Thus, in the context of the rapid digitalization of all spheres of life, and the growing interconnectedness and interdependence of states in the information space, issues of ensuring security in this area are becoming of paramount importance.
It is crucial to note that this collection was created in the context of significant geopolitical transformations, when traditional security models are undergoing significant rethinking, which is particularly relevant in the area of international information security. The SCO offers a fundamentally new, open, inclusive, and democratic model of interstate cooperation, an alternative to Western approaches, based on the principles of equal opportunities and non-aligned cooperation, making its experience particularly valuable for study. The collection convincingly demonstrates how approaches to digitalization policy and international information security, embracing inclusivity, openness, mutual trust and benefit, consultation, respect for civilizational diversity and choice of path, and a commitment to joint development, have become a universal theoretical basis for equal interaction among all members of the Organization.
Thus, this paper covers a wide range of issues, from the development of the legal and institutional foundations for SCO cooperation in the field of international information security to an examination of member states’ national policies in the areas of digitalization and information security. This makes it an indispensable resource for specialists interested in international information security, the digital economy, and the development of information and communication technologies in the Eurasian region.
Particular attention should be paid to the theoretical soundness and methodological integrity of the study. The high scientific standard of this collection is ensured by a systematic approach to source analysis and a rigorous methodology. The study is based on extensive open data, which ensures its objectivity and verifiability.
The collection’s structure appears logical and fully achieves the research’s stated goal. The material is presented in a logical and consistent manner, beginning with a general overview of the SCO as a new model of interstate cooperation and ending with a detailed analysis of individual countries’ policies. This allows the reader to gradually delve into the subject matter, from general conceptual propositions to specific examples and practices.
Particularly noteworthy is the use of statistical data and indicators, such as internet penetration, Global Innovation Index ranking, e-government development, and the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index for each SCO member state. These data, presented in clear tabular form, significantly enhance the research’s evidence-based and analytical depth, allowing for a clear assessment of the current status and development trends in each country. The authors also focus on the legal framework governing digitalization and information security in SCO countries, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to analyzing the issue. An examination of national strategies, laws, and concepts allows for an understanding of the depth and diversity of efforts undertaken by states to ensure digital sovereignty and security.
The scientific, systematic, and fundamental nature of the works included in the collection is based on the use of a fairly representative methodology, which allowed for a high-quality, comprehensive analysis of various aspects of the organization’s digitalization policy and cooperation on digital technology development. This demonstrates the application of systems analysis, which views the Shanghai Cooperation Organization itself as a complex, multi-faceted system, each element of which – member countries, various institutions, and operational mechanisms – is interconnected and influences the overall dynamics of the organization’s development.
A comparative approach allowed us to compare national policies and achievements in digitalization and information security among SCO member states, identifying common trends and unique characteristics of the processes under consideration. It also appears that some aspects of a historical approach were applied, which involves analyzing the SCO’s evolution into a multifaceted organization with diverse goals, objectives, and a developed system of operational mechanisms and institutions. The study examined a wide range of documents, including official statements, declarations, charters, cooperation programs, and national legislation, enabling a qualitative analysis of the issue and the development of a systemic picture of the SCO’s current digitalization and international information security policies. This approach enabled the authors to not only describe the current state of the field but also identify its future development trends, potential challenges, and opportunities for further cooperation.
It is necessary to highlight certain key provisions of the collection under consideration, which determine its significant contribution to the academic and practical spheres.
I. The SCO is seen as a new center of power in global politics and a potential leader in the process of building a multipolar, open and inclusive world order.
II. The concept of the so-called Shanghai Spirit is presented as the basis for cooperation within the SCO, the principles of which (mutual trust and benefit, equality, mutual consultations, respect for civilizational diversity, and the desire for joint development) are innovative for Eurasia.
III. The SCO’s development of a “new security model” is substantiated – an open and inclusive democratic system focused on jointly countering challenges, without the creation of a military-political bloc.
IV. The role of the SCO in ensuring global security is emphasized. The SCO’s significant potential in ensuring various aspects of global security is demonstrated, including the nuclear balance, space and information security, the security of global energy and consumer markets, and global food security.
V. The SCO member states’ experience in ICT development, innovation (including artificial intelligence technologies), and digital sovereignty is analyzed. The organization’s interest in internationalizing internet governance is noted (given that over 40% of all internet users reside within the SCO region).
VI. Mechanisms for cooperation in the field of IIS: The current mechanisms and potential instruments for cooperation between the SCO member states in the field of IIS are examined, including the Statement of the Heads of State on IIS (2006) and the Cooperation Programme for the Development of Digital Literacy (2022).
VII. A detailed overview of the national policies of each SCO member state (Iran, Pakistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and the Russian Federation) in the field of digitalization and ensuring international information security, including their strategic documents and legislation, is presented.
VIII. Basic approaches to ensuring the security of artificial intelligence technologies in the SCO space are highlighted, focusing on threat analysis and combating deepfakes and disinformation.
IX. A chronology of the main SCO documents that have influenced the development of cooperation in the field of ICT and international information security is provided, as well as a list of bilateral agreements concluded by the Russian Federation in this area.
The analytical collection “The Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Policy on Digitalization and International Information Security” has a clear and pronounced applied nature, and its practical significance lies in its applied nature and the possibility of using the obtained results for the formation and adjustment of state policy, the development of public-private partnerships and the implementation of specialized activities in the field of ensuring international information security.
For government agencies, the collection’s materials provide valuable analytical data and examples of best practices that can be used in developing national strategies and programs for digitalization and information security. A detailed description of legislative initiatives and regulatory mechanisms in SCO countries provides an excellent basis for comparative legal studies and the adoption of successful practices.
For private sector representatives, the collection has the potential to better understand the regulatory environment and development trends of the digital economy in SCO countries, facilitating informed investment decisions and expanding cooperation across the Eurasian region. Information on national funds for the development of artificial intelligence technologies, investments in centers of excellence, and AI infrastructure may be useful for high-tech companies.
For the academic and expert-analytical communities, this research has the potential to serve as a fundamental foundation for further research in the areas of international information security, cybersecurity, digitalization, and international cooperation. The collection provides a wealth of empirical material and an analytical framework for developing new theories and models.
The SCO’s experience in building a “new security model”, collaborating in ICT and ensuring international information security, discussed in this paper, may be also useful for international organizations. This experience can be scaled up and applied in other regional and global contexts. The 2006 Statement of the Heads of State of the SCO on International Information Security, for example, reaffirmed the role of ICT in shaping the digital environment and its importance as a system-forming factor in the functioning of society.
Overall, the collection promotes digital literacy among the population and the development of essential knowledge and skills in digital technologies, which is critical for successful adaptation to new economic conditions and improving the safe use of ICT.
At the same time, despite the systematic, in-depth, and comprehensive analysis of the SCO’s digitalization and IIS policies, it is important to provide some recommendations for improvement in several areas.
First, to further detail cases of successful cooperation in digitalization and ICT security, it would be useful to include more detailed examples of successful joint projects or initiatives in the field of digitalization and IIS. Although the collection describes general areas and programs of cooperation, a more extensive examination of specific cases would allow even “inexperienced” readers to gain a more complete understanding of the practical implementation of the stated principles and mechanisms.
Secondly, to achieve a more balanced understanding of the issue at hand, a more in-depth analysis of the key challenges and threats faced by SCO member states in implementing their digitalization and international information security policies could be pursued. This analysis could include, for example, a more in-depth examination of interstate coordination issues, resource constraints in some countries, or the difficulties associated with regulating rapidly evolving technologies.
Thirdly, in the section on artificial intelligence, it would be possible to expand the section on the development of new and promising technologies (for example, quantum computing, blockchain, metaverses) and the potential impact of their development on the sphere of international information security in the context of the SCO.
Fourth, in addition to the tables presented in the work (Tables on pp. 8-9, and p. 46), in order to better visualize the dynamics of ICT and cybersecurity development in the SCO countries and illustrate the interrelations between various aspects of interaction, it seemed possible to supplement the collection with more infographics and multi-format diagrams. This would make the material even more accessible and illustrative.
Fifth, it would be interesting to consider how the SCO interacts with other international platforms and initiatives in the field of digitalization and information security, and what contribution it makes to global governance in this area.
Sixth, the inclusion of a glossary of key terms, especially given the specificity and multifaceted nature of concepts in the field of ICT and ICT, would make the collection even more user-friendly for a wider audience.
Despite some recommendations, the collection “The Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Policy on Digitalization and International Information Security” is a comprehensive, in-depth, and fundamental analytical study, executed at a high theoretical and methodological level. The paper undertaken to create this collection not only demonstrates the deep expertise of the authors and the authoritative editorial board but also highlights the growing role of the SCO as a key actor in shaping a just and secure digital future in the Eurasian and global space. This collection represents a valuable source of information, analytical findings, and strategic recommendations on the SCO’s role in shaping global policy on digitalization and international information security. The study is fundamentally applied and practice-oriented, and has the potential to become a reference for a wide range of individuals involved in foreign policy decision-making, relevant agencies, research centers, and even representatives of the private sector – and anyone working on issues of international information security, digitalization, and geopolitics. The material can also be used as a reference for developing subsequent policies and strategies for digitalization and international information security within the SCO.
[1] Scientific director of the National Association of International Information Security (NAIIS) – Editor’s note.
