Pakistan urges stronger ECO cooperation amid regional security and climate challenges
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar called for deeper economic integration and collective action within the ECO as security and climate pressures mount.
At an informal gathering of ECO ministers in New York, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed concern over the region's security climate and emphasized Pakistan's dedication to negotiated peace under international law. He urged ECO members to harness collective power for resilience, solidarity and shared prosperity, noting the need for political commitment and institutional reforms within the organization.
Dar outlined priorities such as accelerating transport corridors, harmonising customs, and advancing a digital free-trade area to boost intra-regional trade. He highlighted climate change as a growing threat to water and agriculture, calling for cooperation on disaster risk reduction and sustainable energy. Looking ahead, Dar said Pakistan, as chair for 2026-27, will focus on trade integration, connectivity, and climate resilience, positioning the country as a gateway for Central Asian links to the Arabian Sea.
Why it matters
The statements shape future regional trade, security cooperation and climate action for nearly half a billion people.
How this story developed
- Aug 28 Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey launch Mecca Defence Alliance, secretariat set in Riyadh
- Sep 13 Pakistan reiterated that no immediate military response under the Makkah pact is being discussed.
- Sep 13 The Greek prime minister publicly called for dialogue with Turkey while maintaining a formal protest over Turkey’s maritime park claims.
- Sep 14 The displacement figure has risen to nearly 86,000.
- Sep 17 U.S. intelligence officials warn that the planned sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia may enable China to obtain classified radar and intelligence systems.
- Sep 17 Washington has moved from earlier concerns to signaling support for the Saudi F‑35 package.
- Sep 18 Since the earlier report of 86,000 displaced, the UN now says over 112,000 have been forced from their homes.
- Sep 18 State Department formally informed Congress of the intended sale.
- Sep 21 Prime Minister Andy Burnham has authorized British aircraft to provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for Saudi jets fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.
- Sep 21 Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he agreed to Saudi Arabia's request for defensive air-to-air refuelling while travelling to New York for a United Nations General Assembly meeting.
- Sep 22 Burnham announced the decision while traveling to the UN General Assembly.
- Sep 22 UN agencies warned that displacement could rise to over 230,000 if the fighting continues.
- Sep 25 Foreign minister Hakan Fidan announced willingness to meet the kingdom’s technical military needs.
- Sep 25 The UK moved from earlier talks to a formal agreement to provide the Voyager tanker.
In this story
Related stories
48 in this thread