By maleeha zahid
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Azerbaijan to attend the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), which begins today in Khankendi. Upon his arrival, he received a warm welcome from Azerbaijan鈥檚 Minister of Culture Adil Karmali along with other senior government officials. The summit will bring together leaders from member countries to discuss economic development and regional cooperation.
Accompanying the Prime Minister are Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi. The two-day visit holds significant importance as Pakistan seeks to strengthen its role in regional integration and sustainable development. The summit鈥檚 theme, 鈥淣ew ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future,鈥 focuses on shared efforts to tackle global climate challenges.
During the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead Pakistan鈥檚 delegation and present the country鈥檚 stance on key regional and global issues. He will emphasize Pakistan鈥檚 commitment to ECO Vision 2025, which aims to boost intra-regional trade, energy collaboration, and transport connectivity. The Prime Minister will also call for joint efforts to ensure a sustainable and resilient economic future for the region.
In addition to participating in the summit, Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with leaders of other ECO member states. These sideline discussions will cover topics of mutual interest, including trade, energy, and diplomatic cooperation. Strengthening political ties and improving regional coordination are among Pakistan鈥檚 key goals during this visit.
The Foreign Office highlighted that this summit provides a crucial platform for member nations to enhance economic ties and address shared challenges. Pakistan aims to play a leading role in pushing for effective regional strategies that support prosperity and stability. Moreover, the summit welcomes observers and international organizations to promote broader collaboration beyond ECO countries.
The Economic Cooperation Organization includes ten member states, and the summit is expected to result in new agreements and renewed commitments toward economic growth and climate resilience. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif鈥檚 participation signals Pakistan鈥檚 active engagement in shaping a more connected and sustainable region.