- Premier Shehbaz will attend 2-day ECO Summit being held in Khankendi under the theme ‘New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future’
- PM will reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to ECO Vision 2025, advocate for deeper intra-regional trade
SHUSHA, AZERBAIJAN: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday arrived at Shusha city of Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan on a two-day official visit to participate in the Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), state media reported.
Upon his arrival at Fuzuli International Airport, the prime minister and his delegation were warmly received by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Qasim Mueenuddin, and other senior diplomatic and government officials, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
The summit, being held in Khankendi from July 3 to 4 under the theme “New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future”, brings together heads of state and government from member countries to discuss pressing regional issues, including connectivity, trade, and climate change, state broadcaster PTV News reported.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrives in Shusha for his two day official visit to attend the 17th Summit of ECO. Azerbaijan’s Minister for Culture Adil Karimli received Prime Minister upon his arrival at Fuzuli Airport. Shusha, 3 July, 2025.@CMShehbaz pic.twitter.com/wC6Nmm4miK
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) July 3, 2025
The Pakistani delegation accompanying the prime minister includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
According to a Foreign Office statement, the prime minister will address the summit, outlining Pakistan’s perspective on key regional and global issues. He is expected to reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to the ECO Vision 2025 and advocate for deeper intra-regional trade, enhanced transport connectivity, greater energy cooperation, and sustainable development.
Prime Minister is in Azerbaijan to represent Pakistan at 17th Summit of Economic Cooperation Organization beginning in Khankendi @PakPMO @CMShehbaz @PakinAzerbaijan #RadioPakistan #News https://t.co/6wbZztLqFg pic.twitter.com/HgFwZGcQrd
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) July 3, 2025
On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Sharif is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with leaders of ECO member states to discuss matters of mutual interest, with a focus on economic collaboration, climate resilience, and regional peace, the statement added.
The prime minister is expected to raise the issue of climate justice in his address, calling for stronger regional collaboration and international support for mitigation and adaptation efforts in climate-vulnerable countries, it said.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif departs on his two day official visit of Azerbaijan, from Islamabad. pic.twitter.com/zCNk2QWk8J
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 3, 2025
The Economic Cooperation Organization traces its origins to the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD), established in 1964. The ECO was formally launched in 1985 and currently comprises ten member states from South and Central Asia as well as the Middle East.
Pakistan has consistently voiced concern over the global climate crisis, highlighting its disproportionate vulnerability despite contributing less than one percent to global carbon emissions.
In recent years, Pakistan has experienced increasingly erratic weather patterns, rising temperatures, and accelerated glacial melt—all contributing to a rise in climate-related disasters.
The 2022 floods, which affected over 33 million people, claimed more than 1,700 lives, and caused damages and economic losses exceeding $30 billion, underscored the urgency of coordinated climate action.
