Pakistan, SCO agree to strengthen cultural cooperation ahead of 2027 chairmanship

Pakistan and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Wednesday agreed to further strengthen cooperation in culture, heritage conservation, tourism and people-to-people exchanges as the country prepares to assume the SCO Chairmanship in 2027

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Jul, 2026) Pakistan and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Wednesday agreed to further strengthen cooperation in culture, heritage conservation, tourism and people-to-people exchanges as the country prepares to assume the SCO Chairmanship in 2027.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi and SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev at the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture.

Welcoming the SCO Secretary-General and his delegation, the minister reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the objectives and principles of the SCO and said culture served as a bridge for peace, dialogue and mutual understanding. Highlighting Pakistan's rich civilizational heritage, including the Indus Valley Civilization, Gandhara Civilization, Buddhist heritage, Islamic architecture and diverse intangible cultural traditions, he said cultural diplomacy remained an effective tool for promoting regional harmony and cooperation.

Khichi said Pakistan was ready to deepen collaboration with SCO member states in heritage conservation, museums, archaeology, cultural tourism, creative industries, handicrafts, performing arts and youth exchanges.

Referring to Pakistan's growing role within the organization, the minister said the country was expected to assume the SCO Chairmanship in 2027 and host the 24th Meeting of the SCO Ministers of Culture.

He also highlighted Pakistan's proposal to designate Lahore as the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2026-27, saying preparations were under way for a year-long Calendar of cultural activities in Lahore alongside major programmes in Islamabad and Karachi.

He informed the meeting that Pakistan planned to organize four flagship cultural events in Lahore, complemented by a series of programmes throughout the year, and said embassies and consulates of SCO member states in Pakistan would be invited to participate through cultural performances, exhibitions and cultural troupes.

The minister also invited the SCO Secretary-General and member states to participate in the annual Lok Virsa Folk Festival to be held in Islamabad in November 2026, saying the event would provide an ideal platform to showcase the cultural heritage of SCO countries through handicrafts, folk music, performing arts and traditional cultural displays.

He also proposed dedicating a segment of the festival to celebrating the Shanghai Spirit and regional cultural cooperation.

During the meeting, Khichi proposed several initiatives to institutionalize cultural collaboration among SCO member states, including the establishment of an SCO Museum Cooperation Network, an SCO Archaeology Cooperation Programme, an SCO Digital Heritage Platform, an SCO Youth Cultural Exchange Programme and an SCO Heritage Tourism Initiative focusing on Gandhara and Silk Road heritage.

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He also emphasized enhanced cooperation in joint archaeological research, digital preservation of heritage and collaboration among museums and cultural institutions.

Secretary-General Yermekbayev briefed the minister on the SCO's evolving agenda and highlighted the organization's expanding cooperation in culture, tourism, trade and people-to-people exchanges.

He reaffirmed the SCO Secretariat's full support for Pakistan's Chairmanship and encouraged the country to introduce innovative initiatives to further strengthen regional cooperation.

He welcomed Pakistan's preparations for cultural programmes in Lahore and appreciated its proactive approach to promoting cultural diplomacy.

He suggested organizing film festivals, handicrafts exhibitions, music festivals and cultural forums under the SCO framework and invited Pakistan to participate in the Special SCO Cultural Exhibition to be held in China from October 18 to 22, 2026.

The SCO Secretary-General also stressed the importance of expanding regional tourism cooperation by connecting tourism stakeholders and travel agencies across SCO member states and dialogue partners, observing that greater cultural exchanges would contribute to regional peace, mutual understanding and sustainable development.

Secretary, National Heritage and Culture Division, assured the SCO Secretary-General of the division's full cooperation in implementing the proposed initiatives and informed the meeting that preparations for SCO-related cultural activities had already begun. He said an inter-ministerial coordination meeting would soon be convened to finalize arrangements.

Both sides agreed to strengthen institutional linkages, expand people-to-people contacts and enhance practical cooperation in culture, museums, archaeology, heritage conservation, tourism and creative industries while maintaining close coordination for the successful implementation of SCO cultural initiatives during Pakistan's forthcoming Chairmanship.

The meeting was also attended by SCO Deputy Secretary-General Sohail Khan, Secretariat official Margulan Ibrahimov, Protocol Officer Bekhruz Sodikov, National Coordinator (SCO) Dr. Mohammad Faisal, Director (SCO) and Assistant Director (SCO-I) Aisha Shahid.