ISLAMABAD: National coordinators of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) met in Islamabad from September 28 to 30 to review the organisation’s programme of activities under Pakistan’s 2026–27 chairmanship and discuss preparations for upcoming meetings and events.
The three-day meeting was the first session of the SCO Council of National Coordinators (CNC) held under Pakistan’s chairmanship of the Council of Heads of State. It brought together national coordinators from SCO member states, along with senior representatives of the SCO Secretariat and the organisation’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.
The discussions covered plans for Pakistan’s chairmanship, coordination among member states and preparations for upcoming SCO engagements. According to the SCO Secretariat, the agenda also included preparations for the forthcoming meeting of the Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe and efforts to strengthen cooperation in political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian fields.
Pakistan has adopted the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity” for its chairmanship. The country has said it intends to focus on strengthening regional connectivity, promoting innovation, expanding economic cooperation and enhancing people-to-people contacts among SCO members.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar addressed the national coordinators on the final day of the meeting and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to an open, inclusive and constructive chairmanship guided by the principles of the “Shanghai Spirit”, including mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation and common development.
Dar stressed the importance of translating the organisation’s shared vision into practical cooperation and tangible outcomes. He also highlighted preparations for Pakistan to host the SCO Council of Heads of State in Islamabad in 2027 and called for close coordination among member states to ensure the success of the country’s chairmanship.
The Islamabad programme also included engagements aimed at familiarising visiting representatives with Pakistan’s institutional and cultural initiatives. An SCO delegation visited the National Emergencies Operation Centre at the National Disaster Management Authority, where officials briefed participants on Pakistan’s disaster-management capabilities and opportunities for regional cooperation in disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, knowledge exchange, capacity building and coordinated emergency response.
The delegation also visited the Pakistan National Council of the Arts, where representatives were briefed on the country’s cultural heritage and artistic traditions. The visit included exhibitions showcasing Pakistani art and cultural heritage, highlighting the role of cultural exchanges in promoting mutual understanding among SCO countries. The meeting comes as Pakistan works to prepare a wider programme of SCO activities during its chairmanship. The 2027 Council of Heads of State meeting in Islamabad is expected to be one of the major engagements of Pakistan’s term.