The two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) Summit begins today, bringing together leaders from member states to discuss key regional issues.

The summit, hosted in [location], aims to enhance collaboration among member countries in various sectors, including trade, security, and cultural exchange.

Participants are expected to focus on economic cooperation, addressing challenges posed by global instability, and fostering connectivity among member nations.

Discussions will also cover security concerns in the region, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.

As the summit unfolds, member states will likely explore initiatives to strengthen trade ties and promote sustainable development.

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The outcomes of this summit are anticipated to shape future SCO policies and enhance regional cooperation in tackling pressing issues.

Who will be attending the summit?

The annual meeting of the SCO CHG, the second-highest forum within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, will take place at the Jinnah Convention Center. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will chair the meeting, as Pakistan holds the rotating chair for 2023-24, having assumed it during the previous gathering in Bishkek on October 26, 2023.

Leaders from SCO member states attending the summit include Li Qiang, China’s Premier of the State Council; Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of Belarus; Olzhas Bektenov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan; Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of Russia; Kohir Rasulzoda, Prime Minister of Tajikistan; Abdulla Aripov, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan; Zhaparov Akylbek, Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Ministers’ Cabinet; Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran’s First Vice President; and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister.

Additionally, Mongolia will participate as an Observer State, represented by Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, while Turkmenistan will attend as a Special Guest, represented by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Rashid Meredov.

Other notable attendees include SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, Ruslan Mirzayev, Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), Atif Ikram Shaikh, Chairman of the Board of the SCO Business Council, and Marat Yelibayev, Chairman of the Council of the SCO Interbank Union.

What is the key agenda in this meeting?

• Regional security and counter-terrorism efforts
• Connectivity networks for trade and investment
• Economic cooperation
• Climate change concerns