Pakistan is set to host the inaugural meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of National Coordinators (CNC) from September 28 to 30 in Islamabad, marking a key event during its 2026-27 chairmanship. This announcement comes following Pakistan’s formal assumption of the rotating chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State at the organisation’s summit held in Bishkek on September 1.
In a significant development, Pakistan will also host the upcoming SCO Council of Heads of State summit in Islamabad in 2027. The three-day CNC meeting will be led by Pakistan’s SCO national coordinator and will include participation from national coordinators representing member states along with representatives from the SCO Secretariat.
The discussions during this meeting will focus on the agenda for Pakistan’s chairmanship, preparations for forthcoming SCO meetings and events, and other organisational priorities. Under the chairmanship theme, “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity,” Pakistan aims to emphasize enhanced regional connectivity, innovation, economic cooperation, and strengthening people-to-people ties.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has previously highlighted key priorities for Pakistan’s SCO tenure, including advancements in information technology and artificial intelligence, energy development, poverty alleviation, disaster management, health, culture, and sports.
Meanwhile, the CNC meeting will play a crucial role in preparing for various high-level engagements and activities planned during Pakistan’s chairmanship, particularly the Council of Heads of State summit scheduled for 2027 in Islamabad.
Established in 2001, the SCO comprises China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Pakistan and India became full members in 2017, followed by Iran’s accession in 2023 and Belarus in 2024, expanding the organisation’s regional influence.
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