Islamabad: In a move aimed at bolstering regional cooperation, Nurlan Yermekbayev, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), is set to visit Pakistan on April 17-18, 2025, at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Yermekbayev will be accompanied by a delegation from the SCO Secretariat in Beijing.

During the two-day visit, Yermekbayev is scheduled to meet with several key Pakistani officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, the Minister of Commerce, and the Foreign Secretary. The agenda includes discussions on regional security and economic collaboration, as well as a visit to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).

Additionally, the Secretary General will address the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and engage in dialogue with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and media representatives. These interactions are expected to highlight Pakistan’s perspective and priorities in enhancing the effectiveness of SCO mechanisms for regional collaboration.

The SCO, a trans-regional organization with ten member states, represents 42% of the world’s population and a quarter of the global GDP. The visit underscores Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its ties with SCO member states and promoting socio-economic cooperation across the region.

The visit provides a platform for Pakistan to emphasize its role within the SCO, as well as to explore new avenues for cooperation that align with the organization’s goals of advancing security and economic interests in the region.