Session to contribute to preparations for SCO Council of Heads of State meeting that Pak will host in August 2027
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) leaders sign the Bishkek Declaration on the organisation’s 25th anniversary. — ANADOLU AGENCY
Pakistan is set to hold the first meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of National Coordinators (CNC) under its chairmanship in Islamabad from Monday, with the three-day session set to contribute to preparations for the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting that Pakistan will host in August 2027, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Sunday.
According to a statement on X, the meeting will be held from September 28 to 30 and will be chaired by Pakistan’s National Coordinator for the SCO, with national coordinators from SCO member states and representatives of the SCO Secretariat in attendance.
The national coordinators will discuss a “wide range of issues relating to SCO cooperation and coordination”, including the “programme of activities under Pakistan’s Chairmanship”, preparations for upcoming SCO meetings and events, and other matters on the organisation’s agenda, the FO said.
The meeting would mark an “important initial engagement” under Pakistan’s chairmanship and would contribute to preparations for “various high-level engagements and activities” to be undertaken during the chairmanship, including the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting to be hosted by Pakistan in August 2027.
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Curtain Raiser: First Meeting of SCO Council of National Coordinators, Islamabad (28-30 September 2026)
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 27, 2026
Pakistan, which holds the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026-27, would seek to advance the organisation’s objectives under the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity”, according to the FO.
“In this regard, Pakistan’s Chairmanship would focus on promoting greater connectivity, fostering innovation, enhancing economic cooperation, and strengthening people-to-people contacts,” it said.
The FO said the aim would be to “translate the shared vision of Member States into practical and mutually beneficial initiatives”.
“Pakistan would work closely with all Member States and the SCO Secretariat to advance these priorities and further strengthen cooperation within the SCO,” it said.
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The CNC meeting will therefore provide an early forum for coordination among member states as Pakistan begins its programme of activities as chair of the SCO Council of Heads of State, the FO said.
According to the statement, the meeting would contribute to preparations for various high-level engagements and activities during Pakistan’s chairmanship, including the August 2027 meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif travelled to Bishkek for a three-day official visit to attend the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and the SCO Plus Summit, where Pakistan assumed the organisation’s chairmanship for 2026-27.
Under the chairmanship, Pakistan will lead the SCO’s top-level deliberations and host the organisation’s summit in Pakistan in 2027.
During the visit, Shehbaz proposed an “excellent plan” focused on key sectors including information technology and artificial intelligence, energy development, poverty reduction, disaster management, health, culture and sports.
