The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The Collective Security Treaty Organization will hold a joint conference with the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Moscow on Oct. 15-16 to discuss security challenges in Afghanistan and Central Asia, the CSTO said.
The conference will bring together representatives of the three regional organizations to discuss ways to expand security cooperation and address common threats, including terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and instability linked to Afghanistan.
Afghanistan remains a security concern for Russia and several Central Asian countries, particularly over the potential for militant groups operating in the country to pose threats beyond its borders. The CSTO has repeatedly raised concerns about terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking connected to the situation in Afghanistan.
The meeting will provide a platform for the three organizations to discuss Afghanistan’s security situation and its potential implications for Central Asian stability.
A separate meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council is scheduled for Nov. 10-11 in Moscow, along with joint meetings of the organization’s foreign and defense ministers and secretaries of national security councils.
The CSTO said its November meetings are expected to produce and adopt decisions aimed at strengthening the organization’s collective security system and expanding security cooperation among its members.
The CSTO has six member states: Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Armenia has suspended its participation in the organization’s activities, while the other five members remain active.
The renewed focus on Afghanistan comes as Russia and neighboring countries seek greater regional coordination over security concerns following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
Russia has also increased its diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan. Moscow hosted a high-level consultation on Oct. 5 attended by representatives of the Taliban and countries including China, India, Iran, Pakistan and several Central Asian states.
The upcoming CSTO-CIS-SCO conference is expected to add another regional forum for discussions on Afghanistan and the security challenges facing Central Asia.
