ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been elected as the Chairman of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Council of Ministers for the term 2026–27, the Foreign Office confirmed, according to Radio Pakistan.
The election took place virtually during the 29th ECO Council of Ministers meeting held today. Foreign ministers of ECO member states extended their felicitations to Pakistan on securing the Chairmanship.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who represented Pakistan in the session, thanked member states for their support. He said Pakistan looks forward to working closely with ECO countries and hosting them at the 30th Council of Ministers meeting in Pakistan next year.
Earlier in his address to the forum, Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening regional connectivity, promoting multimodal transport links, and advancing sustainable and climate-resilient development across the ECO region.
He highlighted Pakistan’s resolve to contribute actively toward the objectives outlined under ECO Vision 2025, particularly the development of integrated and efficient transport corridors. Dar noted that the meeting’s theme, “Advancing Regional Transport Connectivity and Sustainable Development,” is timely and aligned with the organization’s long-term goals.
The Deputy Prime Minister underscored that seamless regional connectivity is impossible without peace and stability. He urged member states to work together to confront the region’s major security challenges, especially terrorism, which he said remains a barrier to stronger economic cooperation.
He also congratulated Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister, Yermek Kosherbayev, for successfully chairing the 29th ECO Council of Ministers meeting and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to hosting the next session in 2026.
