DIGITAL DIPLOMACY IN THE SCO REGION: THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48371/ISMO.2026.63.1.009Keywords:
digital diplomacy, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, digital sovereignty, youth, international relations, information and communication technologies, public diplomacy, digital security, regional cooperation, social networks.Abstract
In the context of the accelerated digitalization of international relations, digital diplomacy is becoming an important instrument of foreign policy interaction and trust-building among states. This article analyzes the attitudes of the younger generation toward digital diplomacy within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The relevance of the study is determined by the growing role of information and communication technologies in diplomatic practice, as well as by the need to develop indigenous digital standards and cooperation mechanisms amid global technological competition.
The purpose of the study is to analyze SCO digital diplomacy as a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing communication and structural components, as well as to identify the role of youth in shaping the organization’s digital agenda. The article examines key areas of digital diplomacy, including public communication, digital sovereignty, the development of regional digital infrastructure, and youth cooperation. The scientific and practical significance of the study lies in systematizing approaches to digital diplomacy within the SCO and identifying prospects for its institutional development.
The methodological framework of the study includes comparative analysis, a structural-functional approach, and the results of a sociological survey conducted among youth from SCO member states in 2025. The empirical base comprises survey data from 505 respondents, reflecting levels of awareness, assessments of digital initiatives, and perceptions of risks associated with digital diplomacy.
The findings show that the majority of young citizens in SCO countries positively assess the impact of digital technologies on diplomatic relations and view digital diplomacy as a tool for strengthening trust and preventing conflicts. It is concluded that SCO digital diplomacy has significant potential as a factor in forming a sustainable, secure, and sovereign digital space. The practical significance of the study lies in the applicability of its findings to the development of youth, educational, and digital strategies within the SCO.
