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On July 1, 2025, the International Forum "SCO in the Era of Digital Diplomacy: Scientific Initiatives for Global Balance" was held in Astana (Kazakhstan). It was organized by the Public Foundation "Institute for the Study of Regional Integration" (ISRI) with the support of leading scientific and diplomatic structures.

The Forum included two intensive expert sessions. The first was devoted to the problems of cybersecurity, digital sovereignty and sustainability. The second session focused on the digital economy, political cooperation and resource management transformation in the region.

Stanislav Pritchin, Head of the Sector for Central Asia of the Center for post-Soviet Studies of IMEMO, Cand. of Science (History), spoke at Session 2 – "Digital Diplomacy, Regional Integration and a Multipolar World: the Role of the SCO" with a report "Regional Integration in Central Asia and Russian and Chinese Projects in the Region", dedicated to discussing the limited capabilities of Central Asian countries to implement large cross-border projects in the region without the participation of external players. Against this background, the proposals and projects of Russia and China are not only the most important for the region to meet the needs, but also the essential factor of sustainable development. 

The forum became a unique platform for discussing the prospects for digital transformation and regional cooperation in a multipolar world and another step in strengthening scientific diplomacy and promoting collective approaches to the digital challenges of the 21st century.