The 30th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) began on Sunday, November 15, in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Afghanistan’s tricolor flag is displayed on the official banners at the meeting, while the Taliban have not been invited to attend.
The development has drawn attention as Afghanistan is one of the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization, but Taliban representatives are not attending the two-day meeting.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson had previously said that Islamabad had not invited the Taliban to the meeting in accordance with ECO procedures.
The meeting, chaired by Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, is being held on November 15 and 16.
Foreign ministers and senior delegations from member states, along with representatives of the ECO Secretariat, are expected to discuss the organization’s activities and programmes, as well as ways to expand regional cooperation.
Pakistan, which holds the rotating chairmanship of the ECO for 2026 and 2027, has chosen the slogan “Reviving Regionalism for a Stronger ECO” for its term.
Strengthening regional connectivity, expanding economic cooperation, developing trade and transport, and enhancing integration among member states are among Islamabad’s stated priorities.
The Economic Cooperation Organization was established in 1985 and has 10 member states: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
