Pakistan has formally begun its 2026-27 chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Council of Heads of State by hosting the first meeting of the organisation’s Council of National Coordinators in Islamabad.
Representatives from SCO member states gathered in Islamabad to review the organisation’s ongoing work, coordinate upcoming engagements and discuss priorities for Pakistan’s year-long chairmanship.
India also participated in the meeting despite continued tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by SCO National Coordinator Alok Dimri, while senior diplomat Dr Mohammad Faisal represented Pakistan.
The Council of National Coordinators serves as the SCO’s principal coordination mechanism. It plays an important role in preparing and coordinating meetings involving heads of state, heads of government and foreign ministers.
Pakistan has adopted the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity” for its chairmanship. Under this theme, Islamabad plans to focus on improving regional connectivity, expanding economic cooperation, encouraging innovation and strengthening people-to-people links among SCO member states.
Pakistan has said it wants its chairmanship to move beyond broad declarations and focus on practical initiatives that can deliver measurable benefits across the region. The country is expected to work with other SCO members and the organisation’s Secretariat throughout its tenure to advance its priorities.
The Islamabad meeting marks the beginning of a broader calendar of SCO engagements that Pakistan will host during its 2026-27 chairmanship.
The upcoming programme is expected to include ministerial meetings, working-level consultations and other official engagements involving SCO member states.
These activities will build towards the SCO Council of Heads of State summit, which Pakistan is scheduled to host in August 2027.
During the coming months, Islamabad will coordinate with SCO members and the SCO Secretariat as preparations continue for the various meetings and the eventual leaders’ summit.
Pakistan’s chairmanship will therefore place particular attention on regional connectivity, economic cooperation, innovation and shared prosperity while providing a platform for continued engagement among SCO member states.
