ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP): The 10th Session of the Pakistan–Russia Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation concluded here on Wednesday with the signing of key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and a protocol, reaffirming mutual commitment to strengthen bilateral trade, diversify exports and enhance business-to-business linkages.
The session, held from November 25-27, was co-chaired by Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) of Pakistan, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, Sergei Tsivilev. Senior-level delegates from both sides participated in the meetings, held under the guidance of the leaderships of the two countries.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to a broad, forward-looking partnership that supports the socio-economic development of Pakistan and the Russian Federation and contributes to regional stability and connectivity. Building upon the outcomes of the 9th IGC, both sides reviewed progress across various areas.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the constructive discussions on enhancing bilateral trade, diversifying export portfolios, and strengthening business-to-business engagement.
They reiterated the importance of continued cooperation to facilitate trade fairs, exchanges between business communities, and improved market access for key Pakistani products including textiles, sports goods, IT services, engineering items, and agricultural commodities.
The delegations also acknowledged the significance of advancing the pilot cargo movement along agreed corridors and confirmed their intention to operationalize a pilot train, marking a tangible step toward improving regional logistics and connectivity.
Energy cooperation remained a central element of the dialogue, with both sides noting positive engagement in the oil and gas sectors, opportunities in LNG and LPG supply frameworks, and the importance of technical collaboration.
They emphasized the potential for renewable energy, hydropower development, and water-related technologies, including hydrological monitoring and resilience against floods.
In industry and technology, discussions covered pharmaceutical cooperation, including insulin localization, modernization of metallurgical capacity of the Pakistan Steel Mills, and possible ventures in heavy machinery, mining, and advanced manufacturing.
The two sides underscored the importance of scientific, academic, and technological collaboration. They reaffirmed plans to finalize intergovernmental agreements on higher education, mutual recognition of degrees, and scientific cooperation, alongside expanding scholarships, joint research, and academic mobility in engineering, medical sciences, IT, and space technology. Both sides welcomed initiatives to establish Russian language centers in Islamabad and Karachi.
Demonstrating the tangible commitment to educational ties, a special ceremony was hosted by the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) at the Islamabad Model College for Boys I-8, a key center for Russian language learning.
They also expressed appreciation for expanding cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges, including school partnerships, youth programmes, and cultural outreach efforts.
During the session, the Russian delegation met with survivors of the 2005 earthquake, highlighting the humanitarian solidarity between the two nations, and a cultural performance by Russian artists was held at the PNCA.
Pakistan acknowledged the installation of the Yuri Gagarin statue in Islamabad as a symbol of friendship and scientific cooperation between the two nations, with its inauguration scheduled for today by Minister Tsivilev.
Cooperation in humanitarian and disaster-management domains was highlighted, with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation agreeing to explore collaboration in early-warning systems, emergency response training, and resilience-building measures.
The two sides also discussed opportunities in sports cooperation, tourism promotion, and strengthening media and cultural linkages to support greater public understanding between the peoples of both countries.
At the conclusion of the Session, both sides signed the official Protocol of the 10th IGC besides signing three important MoUs. These included the MoU between the Associated Press of Pakistan and Russia’s SPUTNIK News Agency to enhance media cooperation and professional exchanges and MoU between the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority and Russia’s Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology to strengthen collaboration in standardization, metrology, and conformity assessment.
Another MoU was signed between the Competition Commission of Pakistan and the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia to support cooperation in competition law, exchange of expertise, and capacity building.
Both sides agreed that these instruments will contribute meaningfully to enhancing institutional cooperation and facilitating bilateral economic activity.
It was agreed that the 11th Session of the Pakistan–Russia Intergovernmental Commission will take place in the Russian Federation in 2026 on mutually convenient dates.
The Co-Chairs expressed satisfaction with the constructive outcomes of the 10th IGC and reaffirmed their shared commitment to implementing agreed measures and further advancing Pakistan–Russia relations based on mutual respect, trust, and long-term cooperation.
Meanwhile, Sardar Owais Ahmed Khan Leghari, while addressing a press conference after the meeting, said that the commission has identified wide-ranging opportunities for cooperation between the two countries, which will provide new strength to economic and technical partnership in the future.
The federal minister said that joint projects in various sectors — including maritime affairs, aviation, energy, agriculture, science and technology — are among the government’s top priorities. He emphasized that both countries are developing a strong operational framework to enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Sardar Owais Leghari stated that during the session, multiple MoUs and protocols were signed between Pakistan and Russia, which will give new direction to trade and technical linkages between the two countries.
He said that this Intergovernmental Commission will serve as an important milestone in strengthening bilateral relations, increasing economic activity, and opening new avenues for investment in the future.