SCO's Energy Agenda Gains Momentum in China-Russia-Iran Triangle

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has made significant strides in its energy agenda, particularly in the China-Russia-Iran triangle. The organization's energy strategy centers on establishing new access to Asian consumers, making new pipelines and long-term infrastructure investments strategically important for Moscow. Russia's role in oil and natural gas is crucial, with Asia becoming the main market for Russian oil following Europe's share of Russia's crude oil and condensate exports falling from 51% in 2020 to 11% in the first half of 2025.

Iran presents a different energy picture, despite having some of the world's largest oil and natural gas reserves. The country faces serious constraints in accessing international financing, technology, and infrastructure needed to increase energy exports. China's role has become increasingly central on the oil side, purchasing more than 80% of Iran's seaborne oil exports in 2025.

The SCO's energy agenda is gaining importance for the future of physical and commercial links between Eurasian producers and major consumers such as China. The organization still lacks a mechanism comparable to the European Union's energy market integration or joint infrastructure planning, but work on establishing an SCO Energy Consortium has begun.