ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will represent Pakistan at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, set to take place in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1.
The summit, described by the Chinese Foreign Minister as the largest in SCO history, is expected to bring together over 20 heads of state and 10 leaders of international organisations to discuss regional peace, development, and multilateral cooperation.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on July 15 announced that the upcoming SCO Summit will be the largest in the history of the organisation.
During a press conference in Tianjin with SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev, Wang highlighted the summit as a landmark event and a major step forward in the organisation’s evolution.
He emphasised the need for deeper consensus among member countries to strengthen the SCO’s role in promoting peace, development, and multilateralism.
On July 15, Wang chaired the Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting ahead of the SCO Summit.
Foreign ministers and senior officials from all SCO member states, including Russia, Pakistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, participated in the meeting.
In his remarks, Wang proposed five key directions for the future of the SCO. These include staying true to the founding vision of the organisation, promoting the Shanghai Spirit, enhancing security cooperation, encouraging mutual development, and upholding principles of fairness and justice.
He described the Shanghai Spirit as the foundation of the SCO, based on mutual trust, respect, equality, and benefit.
Wang voiced concern over rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly actions undermining Iran’s sovereignty and the broader non-proliferation regime.
He also called for sustained international support for Afghanistan’s peace and reconstruction efforts, identifying it as a key member of the SCO family.
On economic development, Wang stressed the need for strengthening industrial and supply chains, expanding cooperation in trade, innovation, green technology, and the digital economy.
He urged all member states to ensure inclusive development, where no country is left behind.
He reiterated China’s commitment to building peaceful and prosperous relations with neighbouring states, grounded in mutual respect and shared progress.
Amid rising global instability, Wang called on the SCO countries to protect their collective interests and resist unilateralism.
Participants recognised the SCO’s growing role in promoting regional stability, economic growth, and security.
