SCO Council of National Coordinators convenes in Islamabad
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of National Coordinators convened in Islamabad on September 28, 2026, marking the start of Pakistan’s three-day meeting. Pakistan assumed the Council of Heads of State chairmanship for 2026-27 during an annual summit in Kyrgyzstan, setting up a series of regional diplomatic engagements that will culminate in an August 2027 summit in the capital.
National Coordinators Discuss Regional Agenda
National coordinators from member states alongside representatives of the SCO Secretariat gathered for the three-day session running through September 30. According to the Pakistan Foreign Office, delegates focused on the programme of activities under Pakistan’s leadership, upcoming events, and organizational matters on the regional agenda.
Dr. Mohammad Faisal represented Pakistan in the talks. The Indian delegation participated in the meeting led by Alok Dimri, India’s SCO national coordinator, despite a continuing freeze in bilateral relations between Islamabad and New Delhi.
Pakistan Outlines Connectivity and Innovation Priorities
Under the chairmanship theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity,” Islamabad aims to advance practical initiatives across member states. The Foreign Office stated that the leadership period emphasizes enhanced economic cooperation, greater regional connectivity, and stronger people-to-people contacts.
During the Kyrgyzstan summit where Pakistan took over the chairmanship, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presented a plan prioritizing information technology, artificial intelligence, energy development, poverty reduction, disaster management, health, culture, and sports.
Capital Infrastructure Preparations Underway
To accommodate upcoming high-level events leading up to the August 2027 summit, municipal authorities have begun upgrading local infrastructure. The Capital Development Authority invited bids for renovations at the Jinnah Convention Centre, which includes the construction of a dedicated new block for the summit.
The Capital Development Authority also targeted the expansion of hotel capacity in Islamabad to meet international accommodation standards for visiting delegations. While existing hotels offer more than 4,000 rooms, officials noted that roughly 1,000 rooms required upgrades or new construction to reach required benchmarks.