The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Pakistan in 2024 is anticipated to be a significant occasion that will draw attention to this important Eurasian alliance on a global scale. As Pakistan hosts the heads of state from major regional players, including China, Russia, India, and Central Asian countries, the summit will represent a pivotal moment for the country. Given the organization's expanding role in international geopolitics, this meeting is especially important as it provides a forum for both bilateral and multilateral collaboration.
Along with India, Pakistan became a full member of the SCO in 2017 and has since engaged in various security and economic projects within the organization. Pakistan's commitment to strengthening regional ties and its strategic significance within the bloc are underscored by its hosting of the 2024 summit. Islamabad plays a key role in advancing the SCO's objectives, particularly in discussions on security, counterterrorism, and economic cooperation.
Pakistan's geographical position as a gateway between South Asia and Central Asia enhances its importance within the SCO. Its involvement in initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its proximity to China and Afghanistan align with the SCO's broader goals of promoting regional connectivity and collaboration.
Responses to environmental concerns, economic development, and regional security are expected to be prioritized during the Islamabad summit. Security will be a primary focus, with participants likely to reaffirm their commitment to combating extremism, terrorism, and separatism through enhanced intelligence-sharing and coordinated counterterrorism strategies. Pakistan, in particular, aims to influence discussions by drawing on its experience in counterterrorism initiatives.
Economic cooperation will also be a central theme. With energy shortages impacting SCO member states and the region serving as a critical route for trade and energy transit, the summit will likely see proposals aimed at enhancing regional energy security. Pakistan is expected to advocate for greater connectivity through infrastructure development, leveraging its geostrategic position within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The SCO’s Economic Development Strategy until 2030 will guide the organization’s efforts to deepen trade and investment ties across Eurasia.
As one of the nations most vulnerable to climate change, Pakistan will also address this urgent issue at the summit. Discussions are anticipated to focus on improving collaboration on environmental protection, disaster relief, and water management.
Additionally, member states increasingly rely on the SCO as a platform for discussing bilateral matters. Beyond its primary focus on multilateral cooperation, the SCO frequently serves as a forum for discreet diplomatic initiatives aimed at improving relations among its members and defusing tensions.
At the Islamabad summit, China and Russia, the two SCO superpowers, are expected to advocate for a stronger emphasis on economic cooperation and regional security. Pakistan's participation in CPEC makes it a significant player in expanding the initiative. China's Belt and Road Initiative has already transformed infrastructure in the Eurasian region, and Beijing is likely to use the meeting to bolster arguments for increased funding for connectivity initiatives and to enhance commercial relations with SCO members.
Russia views the SCO as a critical forum to showcase its alliances with China and other Asian countries, particularly as it finds itself isolated from the West due to the conflict in Ukraine. This reflects the growing geopolitical divide between the West and Eurasia.
The 2024 summit in Islamabad is expected to highlight the SCO's role in balancing global power dynamics as the organization works toward a more multipolar world order. The SCO’s influence is expanding with Belarus's admission as a full member and the interest of observer states like Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Iran in deeper engagement with the bloc.
In addition to fostering closer relations among its members, the Islamabad summit will enable the SCO to maintain its standing as a key player in regional security, trade, and diplomacy. The 2024 summit will lay the groundwork for new projects and partnerships that could significantly reshape the geopolitical landscape moving forward, especially as China assumes the SCO chairmanship for the upcoming term.
More than just a routine meeting of heads of state, the 2024 SCO summit in Islamabad signifies a crucial moment for Pakistan and the broader Eurasian region. As the world shifts toward a multipolar system, the SCO's ability to foster collaboration in areas such as trade, security, and climate change will become increasingly vital. By hosting this summit, Pakistan has the opportunity to strengthen its ties with major international powers and enhance its position within the organization.
The multilateral agreements resulting from this summit will be closely monitored, along with the diplomatic exchanges that could influence future developments in the region.