ISLAMABAD: The two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit begins in the federal capital on Tuesday under a heavy security blanket, with more than 10,000 personnel deployed for the safety of the esteemed delegates.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will preside over the 23rd SCO Summit, with SCO member states represented by the prime ministers of China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the First Vice President of Iran and the External Affairs Minister of India.
China will be represented by State Council Premier Li Qiang. The prime minister of Mongolia, as an observer state, and the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, as a special guest, will also participate in the meeting.
The SCO Council of Heads of Government will discuss ongoing cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, environment, and sociocultural linkages, and review the organization’s performance.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also hold important bilateral meetings with the visiting heads of delegations on the sidelines of the summit.
The SCO summit is expected to serve as a key platform for fostering regional cooperation, bolstering trade and investment, and enhancing socioeconomic and cultural ties among its member states.
Diplomatic and political experts believe that this important meeting of the heads of government from SCO member states will not only help address pressing regional issues collectively but also significantly enhance Pakistan’s role on the global stage as a leader.
The SCO, which includes member states that account for approximately 40 percent of the global population and 32 percent of the world’s GDP, presents Pakistan with an excellent opportunity to shape its economic and investment future.
The SCO’s origins trace back to the Shanghai Five, established in 1996, and it evolved significantly after Uzbekistan joined in 2001. More recently, Pakistan became a full member in 2017 after performing excellently in its observer role from 2015 to 2017.
Experts assert that the collective strength of the SCO can be harnessed through collaborative initiatives aimed at promoting regional cooperation and deepening economic ties, which are vital for the shared prosperity of all SCO member states.
They further highlight that Pakistan’s significance in the region has increased after the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), making it an ideal destination for investment.
For Pakistan, fostering an environment of open dialogue and cooperation will be essential in addressing key challenges and trade barriers. Experts express hope that Pakistan will effectively present its viewpoint on regional issues during the summit.
They also emphasize that the SCO summit represents a pivotal moment for regional diplomacy and economic cooperation, with the potential to positively impact not only Pakistan but also the wider region.
Meanwhile, the two-day event, to be held at the Jinnah Convention Center on October 16, will bring together leaders from SCO member countries to discuss key regional and international issues.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will host a dinner in honor of the visiting delegations. He will then formally welcome the guests upon their arrival at the convention center. Following the arrival of the guests, reception, and group photos, the conference will officially commence.
According to the Foreign Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the conference with a welcome address, followed by speeches from the heads of the foreign delegations.
Later, the event will include the signing of important documents as part of the meeting’s agenda, culminating in concluding remarks from Prime Minister Sharif. A luncheon will also be held in honor of the participants.
At the conclusion of the event, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the SCO Secretary-General will address the media to share key outcomes and insights from the conference.
Read more: Two-Day SCO Summit Kicks Off Today in Islamabad
