Lahore has been designated the Tourism and Cultural Capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for 2026-27, highlighting the Pakistani city’s cultural heritage and its role in promoting regional tourism.
Lahore: The announcement was made during the 26th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, which was attended by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The SCO’s Tourism and Cultural Capital title rotates among member states and is intended to strengthen people-to-people exchanges, cultural cooperation, and tourism across the organisation. The initiative also provides an opportunity to showcase the cultural heritage of the country holding the organisation’s rotating presidency.
Pakistan assumed the SCO presidency this year, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif outlining the chairmanship theme as “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity.” The decision to designate Lahore was taken earlier in April during a meeting of the heads of tourism administrations from SCO member states in Bishkek.
Lahore follows a series of cities that have previously held the designation. Varanasi, India, was the first Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2022-23, followed by Almaty, Kazakhstan (2023-24), Qingdao, China (2024-25), and Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan (2025-26).
As part of Pakistan’s preparations, the country has been planning a year-long programme of cultural activities in Lahore, including major events and participation from SCO member states. Pakistan’s National Heritage and Culture Division has also outlined initiatives covering museums, archaeology, digital heritage, cultural exchanges and heritage tourism.
The SCO, headquartered in Beijing, was established in 2001 and has expanded into a regional grouping of 10 member states, including India. The organisation’s tourism and cultural initiatives aim to encourage greater regional interaction and showcase the diverse heritage of its member countries.
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