By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan hosted the first meeting of the Council of National Coordinators (CNC) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) under its 2026-27 chairmanship, bringing together national coordinators from member states in Islamabad for discussions on regional cooperation, connectivity and the bloc’s upcoming agenda.

The three-day meeting was held from Sept. 28-30 and was chaired by Pakistan’s National Coordinator for the SCO, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.

Representatives of the SCO Secretariat also attended the meeting.

The national coordinators reviewed planned activities under Pakistan’s chairmanship, assessed progress on key initiatives and discussed preparations for upcoming SCO meetings and events.

The discussions also focused on improving coordination among member states and ensuring the implementation of Pakistan’s priorities for its year leading the organization.

Pakistan has adopted the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity” for its SCO chairmanship.

The meeting concluded with agreed outcomes, with participating national coordinators reaffirming their commitment to the SCO’s objectives and continued practical cooperation among member states.

As part of the programme, the SCO delegations visited the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad, where they were introduced to Pakistan’s cultural heritage and artistic traditions.

The delegations also visited Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium, where Pakistani officials briefed them on preparations for the SCO Hockey Tournament, scheduled to take place from Nov. 20 to Dec. 2, 2026, as part of activities planned during Pakistan’s SCO chairmanship.

On Sept. 30, the participating national coordinators met Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad.

Dar highlighted Pakistan’s priorities for its SCO chairmanship and said Islamabad was committed to working closely with all member states to advance the organization’s objectives, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The meeting comes as Pakistan seeks to use its year-long leadership of the SCO to promote greater regional connectivity, innovation and economic cooperation among member states.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a regional grouping that includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. The organization focuses on cooperation in areas including security, economic development, connectivity and cultural exchanges.