Amid heavy container barricades across Islamabad, Pakistan will host the first meeting of national coordinators of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday (today) under its 2026-27 chairmanship, with delegates scheduled to hold three days of discussions on the organisation's programme of activities and other agenda items. The meeting will also contribute to preparations for the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) summit, which Pakistan is scheduled to host in Islamabad in August 2027.
Asked whether the government was apprehensive about the situation in Islamabad as foreign delegates began arriving, the Foreign Office spokesperson told Pakistan looks forward to a successful meeting, which will be followed by year-long activities under Pakistan's chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State and contribute to advancing the objectives of the organisation." Pakistan assumed the chairmanship of SCO CHS for 2026-27, and the three-day meeting will discuss preparations for upcoming SCO meetings and events, besides other matters on the organisation's agenda, according to the Foreign Office.
"As the Chair of the SCO CHS for 2026-27, Pakistan would seek to advance the organization's objectives under the theme 'Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity'," the Foreign Office said. Pakistan's chairmanship will focus on promoting greater connectivity, fostering innovation, enhancing economic cooperation and strengthening people-to-people contacts, with the aim of translating the shared vision of member states into practical and mutually beneficial initiatives.
Pakistan will work closely with all SCO member states and the SCO Secretariat to advance these priorities and further strengthen cooperation within the organisation. "The meeting marks an important initial engagement under Pakistan's chairmanship and would contribute to preparations for various high-level engagements and activities to be undertaken during the chairmanship, including the meeting of SCO Council of Heads of State to be hosted by Pakistan in August 2027," the statement added.