Lahore Named SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2026-27

Shantanu Thakur

04 Sep 2026

2 Min

Lahore has been designated the Tourism and Cultural Capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for 2026-27, highlighting the historical and cultural importance of the Pakistani city. The announcement was made at the 26th SCO Heads of States Council meeting held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the same occasion on which Pakistan took over as SCO chairman for the next year, 2026-27. Known for its Mughal monuments, Sufi traditions and colonial-era architecture, Lahore will host a year of cultural events aimed at promoting tourism, heritage and cultural exchange among SCO member countries.

Why Lahore Was Chosen

Lahore is one of the historically significant cities of South Asia and serves as the capital of Pakistan's Punjab Province. It carries a rich cultural history shaped by Mughal, Sufi and colonial influences, with landmarks such as the Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens, Badshahi Mosque and the historic walled city of Lahore. The Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Lahore as SCO's Tourism and Cultural Capital

The SCO's Tourism and Cultural Capital initiative is meant to promote heritage preservation, tourism and cultural exchange among its member states. Through 2026-27, Lahore will host a range of cultural events organised by SCO member states to showcase the city's heritage and encourage greater people-to-people and cultural exchange within the organisation.

Pakistan Assumes SCO Chairmanship

Lahore's designation coincides with Pakistan's chairmanship of the SCO for 2026-27. Pakistan has themed its chairmanship tenure "Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity." The chairmanship gives Pakistan the opportunity to organise meetings and events focused on cooperation across SCO's areas of engagement, including connectivity, culture, tourism and economic cooperation.

What Is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is an intergovernmental association of Eurasian countries founded in 2001. Its members are China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran, with Belarus a member since 2024. The SCO Council of Heads of States is the organisation's supreme decision-making body.

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