Shehbaz Sharif to Attend 17th ECO Summit in Baku
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to lead Pakistan’s delegation at the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, from July 3–4 . This high-level event, themed “New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future”, will bring together leaders from the ECO’s 10 member states—Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—along with observers and representatives of regional organizations .
Pakistan remains firmly committed to the ECO Vision 2025 strategy, which focuses on boosting intra-regional trade, improving transport connectivity, advancing energy cooperation, and promoting sustainable development. The summit will feature thematic events during “ECO Week” held across Baku and nearby cities, including forums on youth engagement, women’s inclusion, business collaboration, and climate resilience .
On the sidelines, PM Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with fellow heads of state and government to explore opportunities for investment partnerships, regional connectivity projects, and collaborative climate action . Pakistan faces heightened climate risks—evident from the devastating 2022 floods that affected over 33 million people and caused estimated losses of more than $15 billion —and will use the Summit to advocate for global support in climate adaptation and disaster preparedness.
The Summit marks Pakistan’s most active engagement in ECO diplomacy since the 16th Summit in Tashkent in November 2023, where key frameworks for clean energy research and trade integration were laid. This visit follows PM Sharif’s earlier trip to Baku in February 2025, which resulted in a $2 billion investment package covering energy, infrastructure, and LNG collaboration.
