Politics
Pakistan is beginning the first meeting of national coordinators on Monday during its one-year presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)’s highest decision-making body.
Pakistan is beginning the first meeting of national coordinators on Monday during its one-year presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)’s highest decision-making body. The meeting will mark the start of preparations for the SCO summit to be held in Islamabad next August. The three-day meeting will be attended by national coordinators from the SCO’s 10 member states, which are responsible for coordinating among member countries within the organization. The meeting will focus on finalizing Pakistan’s program for its 2026–27 presidencies and discussing preparations for upcoming meetings and events.
Pakistan assumed the rotating presidency of the SCO Council of Heads of State earlier this month. Islamabad has said that during its presidency, it will focus on promoting regional connectivity, innovation, economic cooperation, and people-to-people contacts. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Pakistan would work closely with all member states and the SCO Secretariat to advance these priorities and further strengthen cooperation within the organization. According to the ministry, Pakistan aims to translate the member states’ “shared vision” into “practical and mutually beneficial initiatives.” The meeting of the Council of National Coordinators will continue in Islamabad from September 28 to 30. It will be chaired by Pakistan’s SCO National Coordinator, while representatives of the organization’s Secretariat will also participate. The SCO is a Eurasian organization focused on political, security, and economic cooperation. It was established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Pakistan and India became full members in 2017, Iran joined in 2023, while Belarus became the organization’s 10th member in 2024. According to the organization, its objectives include strengthening regional security and stability and promoting cooperation in various fields, including trade, the economy, energy, transportation, technology, and culture. The Council of Heads of State is the SCO’s highest decision-making body. Its annual meeting is held to make decisions on major issues concerning the organization and determine its priorities. The Council of National Coordinators coordinates among member states and assists in preparing meetings of the SCO’s high-level bodies.
Pakistan assumed the 2026–27 presidencies from Kyrgyzstan during the SCO summit held in Bishkek on September 1. On the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presented the theme for Pakistan’s presidency: “From Vision to Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity.” Under its presidency, Islamabad will oversee the SCO’s program over the next year and host the next meeting of the Council of Heads of State in August 2027. Pakistan has previously chaired the SCO Council of Heads of Government and hosted the meeting of prime ministers in Islamabad in October 2024. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described this week’s meeting as an “important initial activity” during Pakistan’s presidency, saying it would help prepare for next year’s high-level meetings and other activities.
