Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif led Pakistan delegation to the Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) in Astana, Kazakhstan from 03-04 July 2024. The CHS discussed important regional and global strategic political, security and economic issues, challenges and developments. The Council approved about 20 decisions in various areas of cooperation. Besides adopting the Astana Declaration that conveys the views of SCO leadership on important regional and global issues of interest to the Organization, the CHS adopted three statements on: (i) safety of drinking water and sanitation; (ii) effective waste management; as well as (iii) principles of good neighbourliness. The Council also approved various plans and strategies for the ongoing cooperation in the economic and security fields. An agreement on environment protection was also signed by the relevant SCO Ministers. In his statement during the CHS Summit, Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the "Shanghai Spirit" that stands for mutual trust and respect for shared prosperity and development. Reiterating the purposes and principles of UN Charter, the Prime Minister underscored the central coordinating role of the United Nations and the need to resolve longstanding disputes through peaceful means in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions that uphold people's right to self-determination. The Prime Minister also highlighted Pakistan's principled position on the situation in Gaza and emphasized the importance of a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. He also underscored Pakistan's strategic geographical location as an ideal trade and transit hub for the entire SCO region. As Chair of SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG), Pakistan will continue to work towards enhancing cooperation among all SCO member States in areas of mutual interest.

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