ECO foreign ministers’ meeting begins in Islamabad today

The two-day meeting of foreign ministers from the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) is set to begin in Islamabad today (Sunday), with all arrangements for the event completed.

The federal capital has been decorated with colourful lights ahead of the meeting, and the arrival of foreign delegates is also underway.

The meeting will be attended by foreign ministers and heads of delegations from ECO member states, along with representatives of the ECO Secretariat and its subsidiary bodies.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is among the key participants expected to attend the meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will chair the meeting.

Tahsin Ertugruloglu, foreign minister of the Republic of Northern Cyprus, has also arrived in Islamabad.

However, Afghanistan’s foreign minister has not been invited to the meeting.

The meeting will focus on ways to strengthen regional trade and expand cooperation among member states, particularly in the areas of transport and energy.

According to a spokesperson, Pakistan’s chairmanship will place special emphasis on improving regional connectivity and economic integration.

Joint efforts to promote regional partnerships, prosperity and sustainable development will also be high on the agenda.

The meeting will also seek to strengthen the ECO’s role as an effective platform for regional cooperation, dialogue and economic collaboration.

Pakistan will focus on positioning itself as a regional connectivity hub and a key centre for trade and logistics supply chains.

Measures to boost intra-regional trade and make better use of the region’s economic potential will also be discussed.