The 23rd meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is set to take place in Islamabad next week. This high-level summit aims to strengthen regional economic cooperation and enhance socio-cultural bonds among member states.
SCO Summit Key Details
- Date: October 15-16, 2024
- Venue: Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad
- Host: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, current Chair of the CHG
SCO Summit Attendees
The summit will bring together leaders from SCO member states, observer nations, and special guests:
- Member States:
- China (Premier Li Qiang)
- Russia (PM Mikhail Mishustin)
- Belarus (PM Roman Golovchenko)
- Iran (First Vice President Reza Aref)
- Kazakhstan (PM Olzhas Bektenov)
- Kyrgyzstan (PM Akylbek Japarov)
- Tajikistan (PM Kohir Rasulzoda)
- Uzbekistan (PM Abdulla Aripov)
- India (External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar)
- Observer States and Special Guests:
- Mongolia (PM Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene)
- Turkmenistan (Deputy Chairman Rashid Meredov)
Representatives from the Commonwealth of Independent States and the European Economic Community are also expected to attend.
SCO Summit Objectives
The CHG, as the second-highest decision-making body in the SCO, will focus on:
- Advancing regional economic cooperation
- Strengthening socio-cultural ties
- Addressing environmental collaboration
- Improving organizational performance
Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized that the meeting will serve as a crucial platform for adopting important decisions to strengthen ties among SCO member states.
Expected SCO Summit Outcomes
- Adoption of key measures to enhance economic partnerships
- Approval of the SCO’s budget for the upcoming year
- Review of initiatives related to trade, environment, and socio-cultural linkages
SCO Summit Bilateral Meetings
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to hold several bilateral meetings with visiting heads of delegation on the sidelines of the summit. These meetings aim to enhance Pakistan’s diplomatic ties and cooperation with regional powers.
About the SCO
Founded in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has grown into an influential platform for:
- Fostering regional security
- Promoting economic collaboration
- Facilitating cultural exchanges
The organization currently has 10 member states: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus.
SCO Summit Security Concerns
The summit comes amid heightened security concerns in Pakistan:
- A recent attack in Karachi by Baloch nationalists left two Chinese nationals dead
- The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has announced protests in Islamabad on October 15
In response, the government has:
- Deployed military personnel in the capital under Article 245 of the Constitution until October 17
- Implemented strict restrictions on movement within Islamabad’s Red Zone
- Limited access to key areas and curtailed the movement of foreign diplomats
SCO Summit Conclusion
The upcoming SCO summit in Islamabad represents a significant opportunity for member states to strengthen their economic and cultural ties. Despite security challenges, the Pakistani government is taking extensive measures to ensure the safety of all participants. The outcomes of this high-level meeting are expected to have far-reaching implications for regional cooperation and stability in the years to come.