Islamabad: The 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, held in Islamabad and chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, brought together leaders and representatives from key member states, including China, Russia, Iran, and Central Asian nations, along with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The summit, hosted under tight security at the Jinnah Convention Centre, focused on strengthening regional cooperation, economic development, security, and political stability. Mongolia, participating as an observer, was represented by its Prime Minister.
During the summit, leaders signed eight significant agreements addressing the SCO’s budget, the operations of its secretariat, and regional counterterrorism initiatives. These agreements reflect the organisation’s ongoing commitment to collaboration across sectors such as security, trade, investment, and socio-economic development. In addition to reaffirming their dedication to regional peace and stability, the participants emphasised the importance of cooperation in science, technology, the digital economy, and information security to address emerging global challenges.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed the need for enhanced regional connectivity and expanded trade relations, underscoring Pakistan’s role in promoting the “Shanghai Spirit.” The summit participants reviewed the progress on decisions made at the previous meeting in Astana and reaffirmed their commitment to resolving regional disputes through dialogue and negotiations. They also expressed support for relevant UN General Assembly resolutions aimed at fostering global peace and development.
China was confirmed as the new chair of the SCO for the 2024-25 term, with Russia announced as the host for the next summit. The gathering concluded with a formal luncheon in honour of the visiting dignitaries, marking the end of the productive event focused on regional collaboration.
On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held bilateral meetings with leaders from Belarus, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan to explore opportunities for expanding trade, investment, and regional connectivity. Discussions focused on potential cooperation in areas such as energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and machinery production, with an emphasis on leveraging the economic potential of bilateral partnerships.
In particular, Shehbaz discussed the joint production of agricultural machinery and tractors with Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to closer cooperation within the framework of the SCO. During his meeting with Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda, Shehbaz emphasized strengthening ties in trade, energy, and regional connectivity to benefit both nations.
The two-day event, which saw the participation of senior officials and key stakeholders from across the region, concluded with a shared vision of deepening regional ties and ensuring sustainable development through enhanced cooperation across political, economic, and security dimensions.
