The city of Lahore has been designated the Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2026–27 by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a Eurasian political and security bloc with eight member states. The announcement was made at the 26th SCO Council of Heads of State summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, coinciding with Pakistan's assumption of the SCO's rotating presidency. The annual designation, which has previously honoured cities including Varanasi and Almaty, is intended to promote cultural exchange and tourism among member states, and reflects the host country's presidency theme.