A two-day meeting of foreign ministers from the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) will begin in Islamabad on Sunday. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will chair the session.

The meeting will focus on regional trade, energy cooperation and transport connectivity. Participants will also discuss a joint strategy to connect Central Asian countries with global markets.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is among the expected participants. Tahsin Ertugruloglu, foreign minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, has already arrived in Islamabad.

According to sources, foreign ministers from several member states, including Iran and Tajikistan, will attend the meeting. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan will send their deputy foreign ministers, while Türkiye will also be represented by its deputy foreign minister.

Afghanistan’s foreign minister has not been invited to participate, the sources said.

Regional trade and connectivity on agenda

Ishaq Dar will address the inaugural session alongside ECO Secretary-General Asad Majeed Khan and visiting foreign ministers.

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The discussions will explore ways to strengthen economic and trade relations among member states. Delegates will also consider expanding energy cooperation, improving regional connectivity and upgrading transport infrastructure.

These areas form part of broader efforts to improve trade links and connect regional economies with international markets.

Visiting ministers expected to meet PM Shehbaz

The visiting foreign ministers are also expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during their stay in Islamabad.

A luncheon will be hosted in their honour as part of the visit.

The ECO has 10 member states and three observers. The Islamabad meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for member countries to discuss regional economic cooperation and identify ways to expand trade and connectivity.