International, Defence and Summits · 2 September 2026

SCO names Lahore as Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2026-27

Exam-focused facts from the 2 September 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • Lahore has been designated as the Tourism and Cultural Capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for 2026-27.
  • The decision was announced at the 26th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
  • Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the meeting, and Pakistan holds the SCO presidency this year.
  • Previous holders include Varanasi (India) for 2022-23, Almaty (Kazakhstan) for 2023-24, Qingdao (China) for 2024-25, and Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyzstan) for 2025-26.
  • SCO is a regional grouping founded in 2001 with 10 member states, including India.

View this story in the full daily briefing

Earlier coverage selected by topic similarity to help connect developments over time.

26th SCO Summit Held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

The 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from August 31 to September 1, 2026. The summit marked the 25th anniversary of the SCO and was chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr…