ECO Summit
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered a powerful and wide-ranging address at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit held in the historic city of Khankandi on Friday, calling for urgent climate action, stronger regional cooperation, and a united stance against destabilizing forces in the region.
In his keynote speech, PM Shehbaz expressed heartfelt gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for hosting the summit and praised the hospitality extended by the Azerbaijani people. He also commended the leadership of Kazakhstan’s President for steering ECO as its current chair, noting his positive contributions to regional collaboration and integration.
Focusing on the summit’s theme—“Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future”—the Prime Minister said it was both timely and critical. He stressed that ECO member states are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, with severe consequences such as melting glaciers, erratic weather patterns, rising temperatures, and destructive floods. These issues, he warned, have placed millions of lives and livelihoods across the region at risk.
“Pakistan ranks among the top 10 countries most affected by climate change,” PM Shehbaz said, recalling the 2022 floods that affected over 33 million people and caused widespread devastation. He noted that even now, flash floods continue to inflict damage in various districts.
To address the growing environmental crisis, the Prime Minister outlined Pakistan’s four-point strategy focused on recovery, reconstruction, energy conservation, and ecotourism. He also emphasized the urgency of mobilizing climate financing and proposed the creation of a Low Emission Corridor across the ECO region as a joint initiative to combat climate threats and reduce environmental degradation.
Beyond environmental concerns, PM Shehbaz issued strong political messages. He denounced Israel’s recent attacks on Iran, calling them “illegal and illogical,” and condemned India’s “irresponsible” behavior following recent incidents in occupied Kashmir. He accused New Delhi of endangering regional stability, particularly by violating the Indus Waters Treaty—a move the International Court of Arbitration has rejected. “Any unilateral suspension of the treaty is an act of aggression against Pakistan’s people,” he stated.
Highlighting Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to peace and justice, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed support for oppressed communities in Palestine, Indian-occupied Kashmir, and Iran. He described Israel’s blockade of Gaza as a “man-made humanitarian catastrophe” that continues to deny millions access to basic necessities.
The Prime Minister also praised ECO’s decision to designate Lahore as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2027, calling it a tribute to Pakistan’s rich culture and natural beauty. He advocated for greater regional connectivity, particularly through the revival and expansion of the transport corridor linking Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan, which he believes holds significant potential for boosting trade and economic integration.
“Together, we must transform our region into a hub of peace, development, and climate resilience,” he concluded.
Earlier, PM Shehbaz held a bilateral meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the summit. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties and expanding trade and investment between the two nations. PM Shehbaz expressed deep appreciation for Azerbaijan’s consistent support for Pakistan, especially during times of tension with India.
“Azerbaijan has always stood by Pakistan on critical issues,” he said, adding that Pakistan has likewise extended its support to Azerbaijan during challenging times. The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress made on mutual investment projects and agreed that leadership-level engagement has significantly deepened bilateral relations.
PM Shehbaz reiterated his invitation to President Aliyev to visit Pakistan officially, underscoring the importance of continued high-level dialogue to further enhance political, economic, and strategic cooperation between the two brotherly nations.
