On April 8, 2026, a meeting of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers Working Group on Afghanistan was held in Moscow with the participation of delegations from CSTO member states, staff of the CSTO Secretariat, as well as representatives from:
- the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT);
- the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA);
- the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization;
- the CIS Executive Committee;
- the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC);
- the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (RATS SCO);
- the Commonwealth of Independent States Anti-Terrorism Center (CIS ATC);
- the Coordination Service of the Council of the CIS Border Troops Commanders.
A thorough exchange of views took place on the situation in Afghanistan. Potential risks and threats emanating from the territory of this country to CSTO member states were discussed.
An intensification of terrorist group activities in certain Afghan provinces was noted, as well as the ongoing drug problem despite measures taken by local authorities. The importance of continuing coordinated efforts in the counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics spheres was emphasized.
The opinion was expressed on the need to continue humanitarian support for the Afghan people, as well as to counter threats to regional security emanating from Afghanistan.
Meeting participants expressed a common position on the advisability of continuing to monitor the situation in Afghanistan and facilitating the establishment of peaceful processes in that country.
The implementation of the Working Group’s Work Plan for the first half of 2026 was analyzed, and the Work Plan for the second half of 2026 was approved.
A decision was adopted to hold the next meeting of the Working Group in the second half of 2026.