ISLAMABAD: Pakistan welcomed senior foreign officials on Sunday as the 30th Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Council of Ministers meeting began in Islamabad, with regional trade and connectivity on the agenda.
The two-day gathering will bring together foreign ministers and delegation heads from ECO member states. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will chair the ministerial proceedings.
Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklikaya arrived on Sunday and was received by Foreign Office officials. Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Deputy Secretary General Ahmad Saidmurodzoda also reached Islamabad.
Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus arrived on Saturday to participate in the meeting.
Senior officials from ECO member countries will review the organisation’s programmes and the performance of its subsidiary bodies.
They will also prepare the agenda and draft documents for ministerial consideration. Pakistan holds the ECO chairmanship for 2026–27 under the theme “Reviving Regionalism for a Resilient ECO”.
The Foreign Office said Islamabad would use its chairmanship to strengthen regional connectivity, economic integration and cooperation among member countries.
Pakistan also wants to improve cross-border logistics and expand regional trade partnerships. According to the Foreign Office, the government aims to develop Pakistan’s role as a regional connectivity hub and support sustainable economic growth.
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The ECO comprises Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Ministers and delegation heads will consider the agenda and draft outcome documents prepared by senior officials during the November 15–16 meeting.
With additional input sourced from Dawn
