ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead the Pakistani delegation at the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) scheduled to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 3-4 July 2025.
The theme of the Summit is “New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future,” according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Wednesday.
During the Summit, the Prime Minister will share Pakistan’s perspective on key regional and global challenges, while reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the ECO Vision 2025.
He will advocate for enhanced intra-regional trade, transport connectivity, energy cooperation, and sustainable development.
The Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with other ECO leaders on the sidelines of the summit to discuss matters of mutual interest.
The ECO is an Asian political and economic intergovernmental organisation established in 1985 in Tehran by the leaders of Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey.
Later in 1992, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan also became its members.
The bloc provides a platform to discuss ways to improve development and promote trade and investment opportunities. Kazakhstan is the current Chair of the Organisation, which it assumed on January 1, 2025.
As a founding member of ECO, Pakistan remains committed to the goals of connectivity and mutual prosperity of the ECO region.
It is pertinent to mention that the 16th Economic Cooperation Organisation Summit was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 8-9 November 2023.
The then caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar represented Pakistan at the summit.
