PM Shehbaz set to visit Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to visit Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan next week to attend two major international summits.

The Prime Minister’s office confirmed that he will first travel to Riyadh to participate in the Second Joint Arab Islamic Summit, followed by his attendance at the World Leaders Climate Action Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch provided details of the upcoming visits. The Joint Arab Islamic Summit, scheduled for November 11, is being convened at the initiative of the Saudi government. This summit will serve as a follow-up to last year’s Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit, which focused on the situation in Gaza and other occupied territories.

The summit will bring together heads of state and senior officials from Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries.

During his visit to Riyadh, Prime Minister Sharif is expected to engage in bilateral meetings with leaders from the Arab League and OIC member states on the sidelines of the summit.

Following his time in Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister will travel to Baku, Azerbaijan, to attend the World Leaders Climate Action Summit on November 12-13, which is part of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29).

Pakistan, which is facing severe climate impacts, will make a strong call for climate solidarity, justice, and the implementation of the principles of equity and differentiated responsibilities in international climate negotiations.

Accompanying Prime Minister Sharif on his visits will be Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, other cabinet members, and senior officials.

On the sidelines of the climate summit, the Prime Minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with world leaders to discuss climate change solutions and other global issues.