The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established on June 15, 2001, by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Pakistan to Host 23rd SCO Summit: Key Details and Participants. Pakistan is set to host the twenty-third meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from October 15-16, 2024. This significant event will take place at the Jinnah Convention Centre and will be chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the current chair of the CHG.
What is the SCO?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established on June 15, 2001, by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. This intergovernmental organization aims to enhance multilateral cooperation, promote peace and security, and establish a new economic international order. Pakistan became a member of the SCO in 2017 and has since worked diligently to strengthen relations with neighboring countries while adhering to the principles and values outlined in the SCO Charter.
The Role of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG)
The CHG is the second highest forum within the SCO, primarily focused on fostering cooperation among member states in socio-economic, trade, and financial sectors. The council convenes annually to discuss strategies for multilateral cooperation, determine fundamental issues in various sectors, and approve the SCO budget. The previous meeting of the SCO CHG took place in Bishkek on October 26, 2023, where Pakistan was represented by then-Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani. At that meeting, Pakistan assumed the rotating chairmanship of the CHG for the 2023-2024 term.
Participants in the Islamabad Meeting
The upcoming SCO CHG meeting in Islamabad is expected to attract high-level participation from various member states. Notable attendees include:
- Li Qiang, Prime Minister of China
- Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of Russia
- Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of Belarus
- Olzhas Bektenov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
- Akylbek Japarov, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan
- Kokhir Rasulzoda, Prime Minister of Tajikistan
- Abdulla Aripov, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan
- Mohammadreza Aref, First Vice President of Iran
- Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Indian External Affairs Minister
Additionally, Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, Prime Minister of Mongolia, will attend as an Observer, and Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, will participate as a Special Guest. Representatives from various international organizations, including the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the European Economic Community, are also expected to attend.
Significance of the Summit
This summit represents a crucial opportunity for member states to engage in dialogue and collaboration on pressing socio-economic issues, trade, and regional security. It is anticipated to strengthen ties among member states and pave the way for enhanced cooperation in various sectors. As Pakistan takes center stage in hosting this important gathering, it underscores the country’s role in regional diplomacy and international relations within the framework of the SCO.
The summit is expected to provide a platform for discussing critical issues and strategies for addressing shared challenges, ultimately contributing to a more stable and prosperous region.
