Latest news with #ECOVision2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz urges regional unity, highlights India's ‘weaponisation of water' at ECO summit
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) member states to deepen collaboration in response to pressing regional and global challenges, particularly climate change and geopolitical instability. Addressing the 17th ECO Summit, the prime minister underscored the urgent need for collective action as ECO member states struggle with the severe consequences of climate change, from melting glaciers and desertification to extreme weather events and declining agricultural productivity. 'These challenges threaten the food security and livelihoods of millions. Pakistan remains among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change,' he said, recalling the catastrophic 2022 floods that displaced over 33 million people in Pakistan. Just last week, he said several lives were tragically lost in the affected districts of Pakistan. 'Pakistan on its part has undertaken a series of climate-related policy initiatives and is aggressively pursuing of 4F plans focusing on resilience, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction,' he added. The prime minister said in this regard Pakistan proposed the development of low emissions corridors and a regional disaster resilience system. 'A dedicated framework to mobilise climate finance along with regional clean energy corridors and eco-tourism initiatives can further drive inclusive sustainable growth, creating green jobs, especially for youth and women and supporting livelihoods,' the prime minister said. PM Shehbaz discusses trade, regional peace with Presidents of Turkiye, Iran, Uzbekistan On the economic front, Shehbaz Sharif emphasised the need to operationalise long-pending agreements under ECO Vision 2025, especially the ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA) and transport corridors connecting member states. He referenced ECO's origins as the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD), a partnership between Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey in the 1960s, as a historic blueprint for present-day integration. 'Promotion of trade and investment is key to achieving common goals of regional connectivity, energy security, and economic growth.' The prime minister thanked ECO member states for designating Lahore as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2027, inviting all delegates to experience Pakistan's rich cultural heritage. 'Lahore, the cultural heart of Pakistan, will enthral all who visit us. We extend a warm invitation to all member states.' Pakistan condemns Indian hostilities in IIOJK The prime minister said that the unprovoked and reckless Indian hostility directed towards Pakistan after an unfortunate incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) was yet another attempt to destabilise regional peace. 'The world witnessed the steadfast resolve of our valiant armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir,' the prime minister said. He also appreciated the support and solidarity extended to Pakistan by the brotherly ECO member states in the aftermath of Indian aggression earlier this year. He strongly condemned Israel's barbarism in Gaza, saying 'Pakistan stands firmly against those who perpetrated barbaric acts against innocent people anywhere in the world, whether in Gaza or IIOJK or Iran'. India's water aggression The prime minister also drew attention to what he called the 'weaponisation of water' by India, referencing New Delhi's alleged violations of the Indus Waters Treaty and the recent ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. 'This defiance is completely unacceptable. The Indus waters are a lifeline for Pakistan's 240 million people. India's actions amount to aggression.' He made it clear that under no circumstances can India be permitted to pursue this dangerous part, which will amount to an act of aggression against the people of Pakistan. PM calls Israeli strikes on Iran 'unjustified' Condemning Israel's recent strike on Iran, the prime minister called it 'unlawful, unjustified and uncalled for,' and expressed deep condolences to the Iranian people. 'Pakistan strongly condemns this act of Israeli aggression. We pray for a speedy recovery of our injured brothers and sisters in Iran.'
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM arrives in Azerbaijan to attend ECO Summit
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday aarived in Azerbaijan to attend the two-day 17th ECO Summit titled 'New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future' in Khankendi. Leading a high-level delegation, Shehbaz will share Pakistan's perspective on key regional and global challenges while reaffirming commitment to the ECO Vision 2025. Apart from advocating for enhanced intra-regional trade, transport connectivity, energy cooperation, and sustainable development, the premier will also hold bilateral meetings with other ECO leaders on the sidelines of the Summit to discuss matters of mutual interest. Pakistan is among the founding members of the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD), formed back in 1964, along with Iran and Turkiye, which was rechristened as ECO in 1985. With 10 member countries, the regional trade of ECO nations amounts to $76 billion, making it a key regional forum for the promotion of trade and investment as it connects the north to south, south and east to the west, Asia to Europe and Eurasia to the Arab world. The organisation, in the past few years, has emerged as a platform for 'economic diplomacy and activism'. Pakistan had hosted the 13th ECO summit back in 2017, wherein the member countries' heads of states/governments had endorsed and adopted the ECO Vision – 2025.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM Shehbaz arrives in Azerbaijan for 17th ECO Summit
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Azerbaijan on Thursday for a two-day official visit to participate in the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). 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. 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 — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) July 3, 2025 PM Shehbaz is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, as he leads the Pakistani delegation. Upon his arrival at Fuzuli International Airport, the prime minister was received by Azerbaijan's Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov, Pakistan's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Qasim Moinuddin, and senior diplomatic and government officials. Read More: PM to attend 17th ECO summit in Baku According to the Foreign Office, 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. 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. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif departs on his two day official visit of Azerbaijan, from Islamabad. — 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. Also Read: PM Shehbaz pushes for cashless economy to boost transparency 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. 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.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz departs for Azerbaijan to attend ECO summit
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif left for Azerbaijan on Thursday to participate in the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). The summit will commence in Khankendi, Republic of Azerbaijan today. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi are accompanying the premier. During the summit, the prime minister will share Pakistan's perspective on key regional and global challenges, reaffirm Pakistan's commitment to the ECO Vision 2025, and advocate for enhanced intra-regional trade, transport connectivity, energy cooperation, and sustainable development. He will also hold bilateral meetings with other ECO leaders on the sidelines of the Summit to discuss matters of mutual interest, said the FO statement.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM to attend 17th ECO summit in Baku
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting on Hajj arrangements for the upcoming year in Islamabad on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Photo courtesy: Radio Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead Pakistan delegation at the 17th Summit of the ECO which is being held in Baku on July 3-4. "During the Summit, the Prime Minister will share Pakistan's perspective on key regional and global challenges, reaffirm Pakistan's commitment to the ECO Vision 2025, and advocate for enhanced intra-regional trade, transport connectivity, energy cooperation, and sustainable development," the Foreign Office said in a statement. The prime minister will also hold bilateral meetings with other ECO leaders on the sidelines of the summit to discuss matters of mutual interest.
