- The 30th ECO Council of Ministers meets in Islamabad on 15-16 November, chaired by Ishaq Dar.
- Talks will cover trade, energy partnerships, transport links and Central Asia's access to global markets.
- Iran's Abbas Araghchi is expected, while several other members are sending deputy foreign ministers.
- Pakistan chairs the ECO for 2026-2027 under the theme "Reviving Regionalism for a Resilient ECO".
Islamabad becomes the centre of regional diplomacy this weekend as it hosts the 30th Meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers. The two-day gathering, on 15 and 16 November, will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
The Foreign Office said on Saturday that the meeting aims to strengthen regional connectivity and integration. It will bring together foreign ministers and heads of delegation from member states, along with representatives of the ECO secretariat and its subsidiary bodies.
What is on the agenda
Delegates are expected to discuss regional trade, energy partnerships and transport connectivity. They will also look at ways to link Central Asian economies with international markets, including a joint strategy to improve Central Asia's access to global markets.
The ministerial session will be preceded by a Meeting of Senior Officials of member states. According to the Foreign Office, that meeting will review the organisation's activities and programmes, assess the work of its subsidiary bodies, and finalise the agenda and draft outcome documents for ministers to consider.
Dar will address the opening session alongside ECO Secretary-General Asad Majeed Khan and the other participating foreign ministers.
These efforts will contribute towards unlocking the region's considerable economic potential and ensuring that the benefits of regional cooperation are translated into tangible improvements in the lives of the people of ECO Member States.
Foreign Office statement
Who is attending
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is among the prominent attendees expected. Foreign ministers from several member states, including Iran and Tajikistan, will take part.
Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Türkiye will be represented by their deputy foreign ministers. Tahsin Ertugruloglu, foreign minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, has already arrived in Islamabad for the meeting.
According to reports, Afghanistan's foreign minister has not received an invitation. The Foreign Office lists Afghanistan among the ECO's member states.
The visiting ministers are also expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The government will host a luncheon in their honour.
| Country / entity | Representation |
|---|---|
| Iran | Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (expected) |
| Tajikistan | Foreign minister |
| Kyrgyzstan | Deputy foreign minister |
| Kazakhstan | Deputy foreign minister |
| Türkiye | Deputy foreign minister |
| Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus | Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu (arrived) |
| Afghanistan | Foreign minister not invited, according to reports |
Pakistan's chairmanship
Pakistan chairs the ECO for 2026-2027 and will pursue the theme "Reviving Regionalism for a Resilient ECO". The Foreign Office said the chairmanship will focus on strengthening regional connectivity and deepening integration, with the aim of greater prosperity and sustainable development.
The Foreign Office also said the role offers a chance to position Pakistan as a regional connectivity hub, a facilitator of logistics supply chains and an agenda setter for regional trade. It added that the meeting would help reinvigorate the ECO as an effective platform for cooperation, dialogue and economic collaboration.
Timeline
- 14 NovemberForeign Office announces the meeting; Tahsin Ertugruloglu arrives in Islamabad
- 15 NovemberMinisterial meeting opens, chaired by Ishaq Dar
- 16 NovemberSecond and final day of the meeting
The wider backdrop
The ECO has 10 member states and three observer countries. Iran, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and five Central Asian republics are among the members.
According to reports, Araghchi's expected visit comes amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, with Pakistan and Qatar working as mediators to broker a peace deal between Iran and the United States.
The ministers will hold talks over the two days and are expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Draft outcome documents finalised by senior officials will go to ministers for consideration.
Questions and answers
When and where is the ECO Council of Ministers meeting being held?
The 30th meeting takes place in Islamabad on 15 and 16 November and is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
What will the ECO ministers discuss?
They will discuss regional trade, energy cooperation, transport connectivity and ways to improve Central Asia's access to global markets.
What is Pakistan's theme as ECO chair?
Pakistan chairs the ECO for 2026-2027 under the theme "Reviving Regionalism for a Resilient ECO", focused on connectivity and regional integration.
Image: Humza Ahmed / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
