Pakistan will host the 30th meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad on November 15 and 16, bringing together foreign ministers and senior delegations from member countries to discuss regional connectivity, economic integration and trade cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will chair the two-day meeting as Pakistan assumes the ECO chairmanship for 2026–2027.
Foreign Ministers and Senior Delegations to Attend
According to the Foreign Office, the meeting will be attended by foreign ministers and heads of delegations from ECO member states, alongside representatives of the organisation’s Secretariat and subsidiary bodies.
The ministerial gathering will be preceded by a meeting of senior officials from member countries. They will review the organisation’s ongoing activities and programmes, assess the performance of its subsidiary institutions and finalise the agenda and draft outcome documents for consideration by foreign ministers.
The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation among member states and identifying practical ways to expand regional economic partnerships.
Pakistan Announces Theme for ECO Chairmanship
Pakistan will lead the organisation during 2026–2027 under the theme “Reviving Regionalism for a Resilient ECO”.
According to the Foreign Office, Islamabad’s priorities will include strengthening regional connectivity, deepening economic integration and expanding partnerships among member countries.
Pakistan also aims to promote collective efforts towards economic prosperity, sustainable development and a more integrated regional economy.
The government believes its chairmanship provides an opportunity to strengthen the ECO’s role as an effective platform for diplomatic dialogue, regional cooperation and economic collaboration.
Focus on Regional Trade and Connectivity
Pakistan intends to use its ECO chairmanship to strengthen its position as a regional connectivity hub and facilitate trade and logistics networks linking member countries.
Improved transport infrastructure, more efficient supply chains and stronger trade arrangements could help member states expand commercial activity and access new markets.
The initiative is particularly significant for landlocked Central Asian countries seeking reliable trade routes to international markets and seaports.
Pakistan’s geographical position provides potential opportunities to connect Central Asia with South Asia and the Arabian Sea through existing and proposed transport and trade corridors.
The Foreign Office said the country’s priorities would include making regional cooperation more practical and ensuring that its economic benefits translate into improvements in people’s lives across ECO member states.
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What Is the Economic Cooperation Organization?
The Economic Cooperation Organization is a regional intergovernmental organisation established to promote economic, technical and cultural cooperation among its member countries.
Its 10 members are Pakistan, Iran, Türkiye, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The organisation provides a platform for cooperation in areas including trade, transportation, energy, agriculture, investment and regional development.
The 17th ECO Summit was held in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, on July 3–4, 2025, where member countries discussed regional economic integration, transport connectivity, energy cooperation and sustainable development.
Pakistan Seeks Greater Regional Economic Integration
The upcoming ministerial meeting provides Pakistan with an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic and economic engagement with neighbouring and regional countries.
By focusing on trade facilitation, transport links and logistics cooperation, Islamabad hopes to help unlock the economic potential of the wider ECO region.
The Foreign Office has expressed confidence that Pakistan’s 2026–2027 chairmanship will give fresh momentum to regional partnerships and encourage practical initiatives for shared economic growth.
Sources: The Express Tribune and Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting dates, chairmanship theme and stated priorities were confirmed in the Foreign Office’s official announcement issued on November 14, 2026.
