The two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is set to commence in Pakistani Capital Islamabad Tuesday evening. The SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting will discuss ongoing cooperation in fields of economy, trade and environment among the member states.

The 23rd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) will be presided over by the Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif as the current Chair of the CHG. The meeting of the SCO’s CHG of members’ states brings together regional and global players including China and Russia.

The Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang will also attend the summit. Pakistan joined Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a full member in 2017, having performed its observer role from 2015 to 2017. The summit is expected to further strengthen regional diplomacy and deepen economic cooperation among member states.

During the SCO meeting, China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Belarus will be represented by their Prime Ministers. Iranian First Vice President and Indian External Affairs Minister will also attend the summit. The Prime Minister of Mongolia as observer state and foreign minister of Turkmenistan will also participate in the meeting.

Pakistan's capital has been decorated with beautiful lights, flowers, and flags of the SCO countries to welcome high-profile dignitaries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Islamabad.