The two-day 30th meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Council of Ministers has commenced in Islamabad on Sunday, bringing together foreign ministers and senior delegations from member states to discuss regional cooperation, economic integration and connectivity.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is chairing the meeting, which is being attended by foreign ministers and heads of delegations from ECO member states, along with representatives of the organisation’s secretariat and subsidiary bodies.
According to the Foreign Office (FO), the ministerial meeting is being preceded by a gathering of senior officials from ECO member states, who reviewed the organisation’s activities and programmes, assessed the performance of its subsidiary bodies and finalised the agenda and draft outcome documents for consideration by ministers.
Pakistan, which holds the ECO chairmanship for 2026-27, is advancing the organisation’s objectives under the theme “Reviving Regionalism for a Resilient ECO”.
The country’s chairmanship will focus on strengthening regional connectivity and integration, deepening partnerships and promoting collective efforts for economic prosperity and sustainable development.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s leadership would provide an opportunity to reinforce ECO’s role as a platform for regional cooperation, dialogue and economic collaboration.
Pakistan also aims to establish itself as a regional connectivity hub, facilitate logistics and supply chains, and contribute to shaping the regional trade agenda.
These initiatives are intended to unlock the region’s economic potential and translate the benefits of cooperation into tangible improvements in the lives of people across ECO member states.
In a post on X, Ishaq Dar welcomed the delegates arriving in Islamabad and expressed hope for productive discussions.
“I look forward to productive deliberations as we work together to strengthen regional cooperation and advance our shared priorities. Wishing all delegates a productive and memorable stay in Islamabad,” he said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu arrived in Islamabad to attend the meeting. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received him at the airport.
Last month, Ishaq Dar directed the relevant authorities to ensure effective coordination and timely preparations for the ECO meeting, highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to the regional organisation.
Previous ECO Summit
The 17th ECO Summit was held in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, on July 3 and 4, 2025, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif leading Pakistan’s delegation.
The summit brought together heads of state and government from member countries to discuss regional cooperation and economic integration.
During the summit, Pakistan called for greater intra-regional trade, improved transport connectivity, energy cooperation and sustainable development, while reaffirming its commitment to ECO Vision 2025.
