Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar is set to lead Pakistan’s delegation at a high-stakes Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Moscow, where pressing economic, trade, and connectivity issues will be at the forefront of discussions among key regional powers.
The visit, from November 17-18, comes at the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin. The Council of Heads of Government (CHG) gathering will see participation from the heads of government of SCO member states including Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The Vice President of Iran and the Foreign Ministers of both Pakistan and India will also be present.
The scope of the conclave is broadened by the attendance of leaders and representatives from observer and dialogue partner nations such as Mongolia, Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, and Turkmenistan.
Furthermore, heads of major regional and international bodies, including the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), are expected to participate in the proceedings.
During the summit, Senator Dar will articulate Pakistan’s perspective on significant regional and global developments. He is also expected to present proposals aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the SCO for the collective advancement of its member states.
The CHG stands as the second-highest decision-making forum within the SCO, primarily focusing on cooperation in economic, financial, trade, connectivity, and socio-economic domains. The body is also responsible for overseeing the organization’s budgetary matters. A Joint Communiqué, along with several other statements and decisions, is anticipated to be adopted at the conclusion of the conference.
On the sidelines of the main event, the Deputy Prime Minister plans to conduct bilateral meetings with the heads of delegations from other participating countries to deliberate on matters of mutual interest.