Pakistan is set to host the 30th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Islamabad on November 15 and 16, diplomatic sources confirmed, while the Afghan Taliban government has notably been excluded from the invitation list.
According to sources, a senior official at the Foreign Ministry has also verified that the Afghan Taliban government was not invited to attend the regional gathering. No official explanation was provided for the decision to leave Kabul off the guest list.
Pakistan Chairs ECO Council for 2026-27
Diplomatic sources said Pakistan is chairing the ECO Council of Foreign Ministers for the 2026-27 term, giving Islamabad a central role in steering the organization’s diplomatic agenda over the coming year.
The Islamabad meeting is expected to address a range of priority issues, including regional trade, economic cooperation, and the promotion of mutual contacts among member countries. Participants will also review new possibilities for strengthening economic ties and joint cooperation across the region.
Key Agenda Items
- Expanding regional trade among ECO member states
- Advancing economic cooperation and connectivity
- Promoting people-to-people and diplomatic contacts
- Exploring new avenues for joint regional collaboration
The gathering brings together foreign ministers from across the ten-member bloc, which spans Central Asia, the Caucasus, and South Asia, and is expected to produce outcomes aimed at deepening economic integration in the region.
