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SCO Summit in Islamabad to Strengthen Connectivity of South Asia and Central Asia
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Chinese Premier of the State Council of China, Li Qiang, lands in Islamabad for SCO Summit
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SCO summit to serve as a pivotal moment for Pakistan, enhancing its positive image on the global stage
By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia
Islamabad: Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, is all set to host meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing together regional leaders to discuss enhancing cooperation with a focus on trade, economy, and cultural connectivity among the states of South Asia and Central Asia.
The twenty-third meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will be attended by the leaders of China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as well as the First Vice President of Iran and External Affairs Minister of India.
The Prime Minister of Mongolia as Observer State, and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan as Special Guest, will also participate in the SCO meeting.
During the summit level meeting, SCO leaders will discuss ongoing cooperation in fields of economy, trade, environment and socio-cultural linkages and review the performance of the Organization.
The delegates from the countries participating in the annual gathering of SCO leaders have already started landing in the federal capital which has got a facelift with colorful lights, floral decorations, SCO countries’ flags and banners to welcome the dignitaries.
Chinese Premier of the State Council of China, Li Qiang, along with a high-level delegation, has already landed in the federal capital city, Islamabad, to attend the moot and hold meetings with Pakistan’s civil and military leadership.
According to official sources, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the current chair of the Council will chair the two-day meeting of SCO CHG, the second highest forum within the SCO.
Pakistan had assumed the rotating chair of the SCO CHG for 2023-24 at the previous meeting held in Bishkek on October 26, 2023 where the country was represented by that time Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani.
The leaders from the SCO member states attending the summit include China’s Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Tajik Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Kyrgyzstan’s Chairman of Ministers’ Cabinet Zhaparov Akylbek, Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.Besides, Mongolia is participating in the summit as an Observer State being represented by Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai and Turkmenistan as Special Guest represented by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Rashid Meredov.
Among other dignitaries attending the moot include SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, Director of Executive Committee SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) Ruslan Mirzayev, Chairman of the Board of SCO Business Council Atif Ikram Shaikh and Chairman of the Council of SCO Interbank Union Marat Yelibayev.
The agenda items for the CHG meeting will be discussions on ongoing cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, environment, socio-cultural linkages and review the performance of the Organization. The leaders will adopt important organizational decisions to further enhance cooperation among SCO member States and approve the budget of the Organization.
Besides, Mongolia is participating in the summit as an Observer State being represented by Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai and Turkmenistan as Special Guest represented by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Rashid Meredov.
The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also hold important bilateral meetings with visiting heads of delegations on the sidelines of the meeting.
- Inauguration of Media Facilitation Centre SCO Summit in Islamabad
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar will inaugurate Media Facilitation Centre in Islamabad on Monday to facilitate local and foreign media on the occasion of SCO summit.
The Media Facilitation Centre has modern facilities including computer lab, high speed internet, digital studio, podcast studio, media library and conference room.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said that Pakistan has made significant progress this year in both foreign policy and economic sectors, adopting an open approach towards trade and investment.
Speaking with foreign media correspondents in Islamabad today, he said Pakistan is emerging on the international stage, and the world is beginning to recognize its true potential.
The Information Minister highlighted the recent successful visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to Pakistan, during which key discussions on bilateral relations, investment, and cooperation took place.
He said a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia, led by the Saudi Minister of Investment visited Pakistan and signed several Memoranda of Understanding valued at 2.2 billion dollars to enhance bilateral cooperation.
The Minister said that upcoming visit of the Chinese Premier will be a game changer for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, further enhancing cooperation across various sectors.
The Minister expressed confidence that the SCO summit will serve as a pivotal moment for Pakistan, enhancing its positive image on the global stage.
