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 the Pakistani capital to review the organisation’s ongoing activities, coordinate upcoming engagements and discuss priorities for Pakistan’s year-long tenure.
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 Pakistan was represented by senior diplomat Dr Mohammad Faisal.
The Council of National Coordinators serves as an important coordination mechanism within the SCO. It is responsible for helping prepare and coordinate major meetings involving heads of state, heads of government and foreign ministers.
Pakistan has selected the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity” for its chairmanship. Under this theme, Islamabad plans to focus on strengthening regional connectivity, expanding economic cooperation, promoting innovation and developing stronger people-to-people links among SCO member states.
Pakistan has stated that it wants its chairmanship to focus on practical initiatives rather than broad declarations. The government has indicated that efforts will be aimed at developing initiatives that can produce measurable benefits for countries across the region.
The Islamabad meeting marks the beginning of a wider programme of SCO engagements that Pakistan will host throughout its chairmanship.
During the coming months, Pakistan is expected to coordinate with SCO member states and the organisation’s Secretariat on ministerial meetings, working-level consultations and other official engagements.
These activities will eventually lead to the SCO Council of Heads of State summit, which Pakistan is scheduled to host in August 2027.
Pakistan’s year-long chairmanship will therefore provide an opportunity for Islamabad to coordinate with other SCO members on regional connectivity, economic cooperation, innovation and shared development while preparing for the organisation’s next leaders’ summit.
