On 2 November 2026, Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram participated at the International Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Forum on Sustainable Development, held at Minsk, Belarus. The international forum brought together National SDG Coordinators of SCO Member States, representatives of the SCO Secretariat, international organizations, United Nations agencies, development partners, academia, and business communities to exchange perspectives on accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Forum provided an important platform for discussing regional cooperation, sustainable development, and practical approaches to achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Discussions focused on strengthening partnerships among SCO Member States and international stakeholders, promoting inclusive economic growth, and exploring opportunities for greater regional collaboration. The participation of representatives from different sectors highlighted the importance of collective efforts in addressing shared development priorities.
During the Forum, discussions emphasized that sustainable development is closely connected with regional connectivity, innovation, economic cooperation, digital transformation, human capital development, and inclusive growth. The SCO region possesses considerable potential to advance these priorities through stronger partnerships, knowledge exchange, technological cooperation, and sustainable infrastructure development.
Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram highlighted the importance of translating regional dialogue and shared commitments into practical and measurable outcomes. Key areas of cooperation included strengthening trade and investment linkages, expanding knowledge exchange, promoting technology partnerships, developing sustainable infrastructure, empowering youth, and enhancing people-to-people connectivity across the Eurasian region.
The participation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other international development partners further underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation and collective action in achieving the 2030 Agenda. Their engagement reflected the role of international institutions and development partners in supporting sustainable development initiatives and strengthening cooperation among countries.
For Pakistan, participation in the international dialogue provided an opportunity to contribute its national perspective on sustainable development while strengthening partnerships with SCO Member States and other stakeholders across the Eurasian region. The discussions also highlighted the importance of closer collaboration in addressing common economic, technological, environmental, and social development challenges.
The Forum emphasized the need to move beyond policy declarations towards tangible development outcomes through coordinated action, stronger regional partnerships, and shared commitments. Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram’s participation reflected his engagement with international affairs, regional cooperation, and the promotion of sustainable development through constructive dialogue and international collaboration.
The International SCO Forum on Sustainable Development concluded with a renewed emphasis on transforming dialogue into action, partnerships into progress, and shared aspirations into sustainable results. The event highlighted the importance of mutual understanding, inclusive growth, and sustained international cooperation in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and promoting a more connected, prosperous, and sustainable future across the SCO region.
