BISHKEK: Pakistan has officially assumed the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for the next year, pledging to focus its tenure on regional connectivity, innovation and economic prosperity.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan’s chairmanship would be guided by the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity.”
In a social media post, the prime minister congratulated Kyrgyzstan for successfully hosting the SCO summit and commended its leadership of the organisation.
PM Shehbaz said he was honoured to address the SCO Council of Heads of State in Bishkek, describing the organisation as an increasingly important platform for regional cooperation over its 25-year history.
He said the SCO, guided by the “Shanghai Spirit”, had developed into a key forum for addressing common challenges and promoting cooperation among member states.
Terrorism, water security highlighted
The prime minister also highlighted Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, reiterating that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations must be rejected.
Drawing attention to regional water disputes, PM Shehbaz said water was essential to the lives and economies of the region and should never be turned into a political or coercive tool.
He stressed that international agreements governing shared water resources must be respected and implemented in both letter and spirit.
Pakistan’s chairmanship comes as the SCO enters another year of efforts aimed at strengthening economic, security and connectivity cooperation among its members.
PM Shehbaz expressed optimism that the organisation would continue expanding its role and deliver tangible benefits for the more than three billion people living across the SCO region.
