Uzbekistan is hosting a two-day summit focused on addressing regional threats and combating terrorism, according to reports from local media.
The meetings, taking place today and tomorrow in Tashkent, are part of the 10th International Scientific and Practical Conference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the second conference of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) nations on counterterrorism and extremism.
Uzbekistan’s intelligence chief emphasized the need for increased regional cooperation in light of the complex and evolving military-political dynamics in SCO and CIS member states. He stressed the importance of strengthening efforts to combat international terrorism and religious extremism across the region.
The Uzbek official also underscored that Afghanistan should not be left alone in the fight against terrorism, highlighting the country’s central role in the region’s security. “The Afghan government [the Taliban] is fighting international terrorism to the best of its ability, with its intelligence forces leading efforts against ISIS and achieving notable results. Therefore, Afghan partners [the Taliban] should not be abandoned in this fight,” he said.
Several countries in the region, including members of the SCO, have long expressed concerns over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, viewing them as a threat to their own territories.
While Afghanistan remains an observer member of the SCO, it has not been officially represented at the organization’s meetings since the Taliban took control of the country in 2021.
The SCO’s full members include Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Iran, China, India, Russia, and Uzbekistan.
