CSTO, CIS and SCO Join Efforts to Strengthen Central Asian Security
World
Representatives of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) met in Moscow to discuss shared approaches to Central Asian security and stability in Afghanistan. The international conference focused on terrorism, drug trafficking, border protection, humanitarian challenges and coordination among regional organizations. The meeting took place during Russia’s CSTO chairmanship.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described Central Asia as an important component of Eurasian security. He warned of the risk of terrorism spreading from Afghanistan and stressed the need for coordinated action by the CSTO, CIS and SCO. Moscow, he said, was ready to continue providing economic and humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.
CSTO Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov called for closer coordination among the three organizations. He identified preventive diplomacy, counterterrorism, combating drug trafficking, information security, intelligence sharing and joint exercises as priorities. He also highlighted risks associated with instability in the Middle East and the need to protect industrial, transport and energy infrastructure.
CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev said the CIS’s political and diplomatic capabilities, the CSTO’s defence potential, and the SCO’s economic and counterterrorism tools should complement one another. He called for efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, develop its economy, provide humanitarian assistance and involve the country in regional projects.
Ahmad Saidmurodzoda, deputy secretary-general of the SCO, said the situation in Afghanistan remained under control for now, although the risk of a sharp deterioration persisted. Reduced international assistance and the closure of the border with Pakistan have worsened humanitarian conditions and curtailed Afghanistan’s foreign trade. He urged Kabul to expand socioeconomic projects with the participation of SCO member states.
Tajik representatives outlined humanitarian support for Afghanistan, electricity supplies and infrastructure initiatives, including CASA-1000. Tajikistan also plans to host the next high-level conference on counterterrorism in Dushanbe in 2027.
Participants also discussed practical responses to security threats. Russian representative Zamir Kabulov reported efforts by Afghanistan’s authorities to combat terrorist groups and a decline in opiate production. He also noted that Russian-Afghan trade doubled in the first half of 2026. Other speakers stressed the importance of economic development, job creation, specialist training and early-warning systems.
At the conclusion of the conference, participants reaffirmed their interest in continued CSTO, CIS and SCO cooperation to address cross-border threats and support stability in Afghanistan and Central Asia.
CSTO Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov called for closer coordination among the three organizations. He identified preventive diplomacy, counterterrorism, combating drug trafficking, information security, intelligence sharing and joint exercises as priorities. He also highlighted risks associated with instability in the Middle East and the need to protect industrial, transport and energy infrastructure.
CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev said the CIS’s political and diplomatic capabilities, the CSTO’s defence potential, and the SCO’s economic and counterterrorism tools should complement one another. He called for efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, develop its economy, provide humanitarian assistance and involve the country in regional projects.
Ahmad Saidmurodzoda, deputy secretary-general of the SCO, said the situation in Afghanistan remained under control for now, although the risk of a sharp deterioration persisted. Reduced international assistance and the closure of the border with Pakistan have worsened humanitarian conditions and curtailed Afghanistan’s foreign trade. He urged Kabul to expand socioeconomic projects with the participation of SCO member states.
Tajik representatives outlined humanitarian support for Afghanistan, electricity supplies and infrastructure initiatives, including CASA-1000. Tajikistan also plans to host the next high-level conference on counterterrorism in Dushanbe in 2027.
Participants also discussed practical responses to security threats. Russian representative Zamir Kabulov reported efforts by Afghanistan’s authorities to combat terrorist groups and a decline in opiate production. He also noted that Russian-Afghan trade doubled in the first half of 2026. Other speakers stressed the importance of economic development, job creation, specialist training and early-warning systems.
At the conclusion of the conference, participants reaffirmed their interest in continued CSTO, CIS and SCO cooperation to address cross-border threats and support stability in Afghanistan and Central Asia.
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