SCO talks kick off in Islamabad

The first meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of National Coordinators (CNC) under Pakistan’s 2026–27 chairmanship began in Islamabad on Monday.

The three-day meeting will continue from September 28 to 30. Pakistan’s National Coordinator for the SCO, Dr M. Faisal, is chairing the session.

National coordinators from SCO member states are attending the meeting along with representatives of the SCO Secretariat. An Indian delegation is also participating, marking the first visit by an Indian delegation to Pakistan for an SCO meeting in nearly two years.

The participants are reviewing matters related to cooperation and coordination among SCO member states. Discussions include the programme of activities planned during Pakistan’s chairmanship and preparations for upcoming meetings and events of the organisation.

Other issues included on the SCO agenda are also being discussed by the national coordinators. The meeting is expected to help coordinate various activities and prepare the groundwork for high-level engagements during Pakistan’s term as chair.

Pakistan has adopted the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity” for its SCO chairmanship.

Under this theme, Pakistan aims to strengthen regional connectivity, encourage innovation and expand economic cooperation among member states. Islamabad also plans to promote stronger people-to-people contacts across the SCO region.

The CNC meeting is also part of preparations for major events scheduled during Pakistan’s chairmanship. These include the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting, which Pakistan is scheduled to host in August 2027.

The SCO brings together several major regional countries and provides a platform for cooperation on economic, security, connectivity and other shared issues. The participation of member states in the Islamabad meeting is expected to support coordination ahead of the organisation’s upcoming engagements.