Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Azerbaijan on Thursday to participate in the two-day 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit, themed “New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future,” taking place in Khankendi.
Heading a high-level delegation, the premier is expected to outline Pakistan’s stance on major regional and international issues while reaffirming support for the ECO Vision 2025.
During the summit, PM Shehbaz will highlight Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening intra-regional trade, enhancing transport connectivity, promoting energy cooperation, and advancing sustainable development goals. He will also hold separate meetings with other ECO leaders on the sidelines to discuss matters of shared concern.
Pakistan, along with Iran and Turkiye, was among the founding members of the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) established in 1964, which later evolved into the ECO in 1985.
Today, the ECO comprises 10 member states whose combined regional trade volume stands at around $76 billion. Positioned strategically, the organization serves as a vital bridge connecting North to South, East to West, Asia to Europe, and Eurasia to the Arab world, thus promoting trade and investment.
In recent years, the ECO has emerged as a significant platform for advancing “economic diplomacy and activism.”
Pakistan last hosted the ECO Summit in 2017, where member states formally adopted the ECO Vision 2025, charting a roadmap for deeper economic integration and cooperation.
