ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Baku, Azerbaijan, today to attend the two-day 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit, set for July 3–4, officials confirmed
Summit Theme and Objectives
Themed “New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future,” this summit unites heads of state and government ministers to deliberate on pressing regional and global challenges, including climate change, trade integration, and infrastructure development (
Pakistan’s Agenda
During the summit, PM Shehbaz will:
“share Pakistan’s perspective on key regional and global challenges*”
“reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to the ECO Vision 2025”
Advocate for enhanced intra-regional trade, transport connectivity, energy cooperation, and sustainable development
He will also engage in bilateral meetings with ECO leaders, addressing mutual interests on the sidelines of the summit
ECO’s Evolution
The ECO originated from the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) founded in 1964 and formally expanded into the Economic Cooperation Organization in 1985. It now encompasses *ten member states* spanning South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East ( The last summit (#16) was held in *Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in November 2023*, attended by a caretaker prime minister
Side Events & Cooperation Focus
ECO Week runs *July 1–4* across multiple Azerbaijani cities, featuring thematic forums aimed at expanding *youth engagement, **gender inclusion, and **connectivity initiatives
Pakistan’s delegation, led by PM Shehbaz, is expected to uphold these priorities, while also engaging in discussions on *climate resilience, **regional security, and **economic partnerships*.
Why This Matters
* *Strategic relevance*: The summit aligns with Pakistan’s vision for regional integration and sustainable development.
* *Climate diplomacy*: With Pakistan among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, advocating for resilience is a national priority.
* *Enhanced connectivity*: Focused on bolstering trade routes and energy corridors across member states.
