KABUL/ISLAMABAD (SW) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan has announced that the 23rd Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 15-16, in Islamabad.
Leaders from China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, the Iranian Vice President, and India’s Foreign Minister are set to attend the meeting. Additionally, the Prime Minister of Mongolia will participate as an observer.
The SCO leaders are expected to discuss cooperation in economic, trade, environmental, cultural, and social areas over the two-day summit. Other agenda items will include a review of the SCO’s annual performance and budget approval.
Previously, Afghanistan attended SCO meetings as an observer before the rise of the Islamic Emirate; however, in the past three years, the organization has not invited representatives from the de-facto government.
According to Pakistan’s Geo News, Afghanistan has not been invited to the 23rd SCO summit.
Hamdullah Fetrat, a deputy spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, asserts that Afghanistan is still an observer member of the SCO and maintains good relations with its member countries.
“Afghanistan engages with SCO members through bilateral mechanisms, and our efforts and discussions in this regard are ongoing. We hope to see progress on this front in the future,” he said.
Political analysts consider the SCO summit crucial for Afghanistan and the region, noting that the absence of a Islamic Emirate representative diminishes the importance of the meeting.
Political expert Janat Fahim Chakari commented, “If there is no representative from the [Islamic] Emirate, there will be no one to respond to concerns raised about Afghanistan and defend its approach, creating a contradiction in the discussions.”
Another political analyst, Borna Salehi, indicated that changes in the Islamic Emirate’s policies could pave the way for Afghanistan’s participation in significant regional and international meetings.
“The Islamic Emirate could facilitate their presence in these meetings by adjusting their approach to some of the world’s demands. This matter can only be resolved over time,” He said.
