Representing nearly half of the world's population and 40 percent of global GDP at purchasing power parity, the bloc is now shifting toward a new stage of high-quality development. President Xi Jinping, speaking at the summit’s opening session, emphasized that the group’s resilience stems from two decades of self-reliance and collective action. He underscored that the current geopolitical climate, characterized by power politics and strained multilateralism, necessitates a more unified stance to steer international order toward greater equity.

Xi proposed a series of initiatives aimed at anchoring the group’s future, including a focus on innovation-driven growth through artificial intelligence and the deepening of industrial and supply chain integration. Beyond technical cooperation, the summit saw a push for increased cultural and educational exchanges to foster closer ties between member states. With China set to assume the rotating chair for the 19th summit, the adoption of a joint declaration signals a formal commitment to addressing regional hot spots and reforming global governance structures. This consensus serves as the foundation for what members describe as the beginning of a third decade of cooperation.