ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as Chair of the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG), referred to the body as a “beacon of multilateralism,” during the ongoing summit here. The SCO, a political, economic, and security alliance, includes China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and several Central Asian states, representing over 40 per cent of the global population.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed the delegates to Islamabad, emphasising the significance of the SCO in shaping regional cooperation and stability. He described the summit as a testament to the collective strength of its member nations, underscoring that their unity could drive socio-economic progress and enhance regional peace. The prime minister called for member states to exchange ideas and establish actionable plans to benefit their economies and societies.
PM Shehbaz also highlighted the SCO’s role in addressing current global shifts, noting that the world is witnessing rapid political, economic, and security transformations. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional stability, connectivity, and sustainable development as the current Chair of the CHG. His remarks focussed on the SCO’s collaborative efforts in poverty alleviation, academic exchanges, and empowering women and youth across the region.
Leaders from all eight SCO member states, along with representatives from observer nations and international organisations, gathered in Islamabad for discussions on trade, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity. While most member states were represented by their heads of government, Iran and India sent their trade and external affairs ministers due to domestic priorities. China’s Premier Li Qiang attended, marking the first visit by a Chinese premier to Pakistan in over a decade.
The summit, hosted at the Jinnah Convention Centre, is set to approve the SCO’s budget and finalise key agreements aimed at enhancing economic collaboration. The day’s agenda includes speeches by the attending leaders, followed by a signing ceremony of important documents. Pakistan’s Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, alongside SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, will brief the media on the summit’s outcomes.
On the first day, leaders from Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Belarus arrived, with PM Shehbaz holding bilateral meetings with each. The day concluded with a welcome dinner, where the prime minister exchanged pleasantries with the dignitaries, including India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
This two-day summit marks an important step in strengthening cooperation among SCO member states, with key focus areas including economic integration, security, and sustainable development for the region.
