ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called on member states of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) to enhance cooperation in the face of mounting regional and global challenges, particularly climate change and geopolitical instability.
Speaking at the 17th ECO Summit in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister emphasised the urgent need for collective action, highlighting the severe impacts of climate change faced by ECO countries, including melting glaciers, desertification, extreme weather events, and declining agricultural productivity.
“These challenges threaten the food security and livelihoods of millions. Pakistan remains among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change,” he said, recalling the catastrophic 2022 floods that displaced over 33 million people in Pakistan.
Just last week, he said several lives were lost in the affected districts of Pakistan. “Pakistan on its part has undertaken a series of climate-related policy initiatives and is aggressively pursuing plans focusing on resilience, recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction,” he added.
In this regard, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan has proposed the development of low-emission corridors and a regional disaster resilience system.
“A dedicated framework to mobilise climate finance along with regional clean energy corridors and eco-tourism initiatives can further drive inclusive sustainable growth, creating green jobs, especially for youth and women, and supporting livelihoods,” the Prime Minister said.
Israel’s strikes on Iran
Condemning Israel’s recent strike on Iran, the premier called it “unlawful, unjustified and uncalled for,” and expressed deep condolences to the Iranian people.
“Pakistan strongly condemns this act of Israeli aggression… We pray for a speedy recovery of our injured brothers and sisters in Iran.”
Indian aggression
He further stated that the unprovoked and reckless Indian aggression towards Pakistan, following an unfortunate incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), was yet another attempt to undermine regional peace and stability.
“The world witnessed the steadfast resolve of our valiant armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir,” the Prime Minister said.
He also lauded the support and solidarity extended to Pakistan by the brotherly ECO member states in the aftermath of Indian aggression earlier this year.
He strongly condemned Israel’s barbarism in Gaza, saying “Pakistan stands firmly against those who perpetrated barbaric act against innocent people anywhere in the world, whether in Gaza or IIOJK or Iran”.
Weaponisation of water
The Prime Minister also highlighted what he described as India’s “weaponisation of water,” citing New Delhi’s alleged violations of the Indus Waters Treaty and the recent ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
“This defiance is completely unacceptable. The Indus waters are a lifeline for Pakistan’s 240 million people, and India’s actions constitute an act of aggression,” he asserted.
He made it clear that under no circumstances should India be allowed to continue down this dangerous path, which would amount to aggression against the people of Pakistan.
Pending ECO agreements
On the economic front, Shehbaz Sharif stressed the importance of implementing long-pending agreements under ECO Vision 2025, particularly the ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA) and the development of transport corridors linking member states. He also referenced ECO’s origins as the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) — a partnership between Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey in the 1960s — as a historic model for current regional integration efforts.
“Promotion of trade and investment is key to achieving common goals of regional connectivity, energy security, and economic growth.”
The Prime Minister thanked ECO member states for designating Lahore as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2027, inviting all delegates to experience Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage.
