On September 1, the SCO Tianjin Summit concluded with new breakthroughs in the organization’s reform. The Summit decided to consolidate observer states and dialogue partners into a unified category of "SCO Partners." This move represents a significant step toward refining and strengthening the SCO’s operational mechanisms, promoting a more streamlined structure, closer cooperation, and more efficient functioning, while reinforcing a stronger sense of belonging to the SCO family. The Summit also approved Laos’ admission as a partner, expanding the SCO family to 27 members and further growing this community of like-minded nations.