ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is presiding over the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit today, Wednesday, as the current Chair of the Council of Heads of Government.
Leaders from SCO member states arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for the 23rd Council of Heads of Government meeting. The discussions will focus on trade, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity within this Eurasian political and security bloc.
During the summit, leaders will approve the organization’s budget and address key issues related to economic collaboration among member states.
The meeting is being attended by the heads of government from eight member states. Iran and India are being represented by their trade and external affairs ministers, respectively, after Iran’s first vice president Mohammad Reza Aref withdrew due to urgent developments in Tehran.
Mongolia is participating as an observer, and Turkmenistan has been invited as a special guest. Representatives from international organizations, including the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the European Economic Community, are also attending.
Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the summit’s agenda includes addressing climate change and economic challenges facing some member states.
In a statement, she said hosting the Council of Heads of Government demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to the SCO charter and the values of the Shanghai Spirit.
The plenary session will begin with an opening speech by PM Shehbaz, followed by addresses from foreign dignitaries. The session will conclude with a document-signing ceremony.
Later, SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will brief the media on the summit’s key outcomes. An official luncheon will be hosted for the participating leaders afterward.
