SCO Meeting National coordinators begin talks in Islamabad under Pakistan’s chairmanship

The SCO Meeting of national coordinators began in Islamabad on Monday as Pakistan assumed responsibility for coordinating the organisation’s programme for the 2026–27 term. The three-day session is the first meeting of the Council of National Coordinators (CNC) under Pakistan’s chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State.

Pakistan’s National Coordinator for the SCO, Dr M. Faisal, is chairing the meeting, which is being attended by national coordinators from SCO member states and representatives of the SCO Secretariat.

An Indian delegation is also attending the meeting in Islamabad. The participation marks a visit by an Indian delegation to Pakistan for an SCO-related meeting after a period of heightened tensions between the two countries.

The national coordinators are discussing cooperation and coordination within the organisation, including the programme of activities under Pakistan’s chairmanship, preparations for upcoming SCO meetings and events, and other matters on the organisation’s agenda.

Pakistan is holding the SCO Council of Heads of State chairmanship for 2026–27 after formally assuming the role at the organisation’s summit in Bishkek earlier this month. It is also scheduled to host the SCO Council of Heads of State summit in Islamabad in August 2027.

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Pakistan has adopted the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity” for its chairmanship. The Foreign Office says the programme will focus on greater regional connectivity, innovation, economic cooperation and stronger people-to-people contacts.

The Foreign Office said Pakistan would work closely with all SCO member states and the organisation’s secretariat to advance these priorities and translate the shared objectives of member states into practical initiatives.

The Islamabad meeting is expected to provide an early forum for coordination among member states as Pakistan begins its programme as chair. Discussions will also contribute to preparations for several high-level engagements and activities planned during the year-long chairmanship.

The SCO brings together Pakistan, India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus as member states. Pakistan has hosted other SCO-related meetings in Islamabad this year, including a meeting of the organisation’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, which was attended by an Indian representative.

The current CNC meeting will continue through 30 September and forms part of preparations leading towards the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting that Pakistan will host in Islamabad next August.