Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu has stated that the ongoing instability in Afghanistan continues to represent one of the most significant security challenges facing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), amid broader concerns over regional and global conflicts.
According to Russia’s state news agency TASS, Shoigu made the remarks during a high-level meeting with the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, as well as security council secretaries of SCO member states.
During the discussions, Shoigu emphasized the importance of coordinated dialogue among member countries on pressing global and regional crises that directly affect collective security. He specifically highlighted instability in Afghanistan, alongside ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and tensions related to Iran, as key issues requiring sustained attention and cooperation.
Shoigu stressed that SCO participants should actively exchange assessments and develop a unified understanding of emerging security threats, particularly those originating from regions experiencing prolonged instability. He noted that Afghanistan remains a critical focal point due to its continuing security challenges and its broader impact on neighboring states and regional stability.
He further stated his intention to present and discuss a series of practical initiatives aimed at strengthening multilateral cooperation within the SCO framework. According to Shoigu, such initiatives are designed to enhance the organization’s capacity to respond to evolving security risks and improve coordination among member states.
The Russian security chief added that successful implementation of these proposals would not only strengthen the SCO’s institutional effectiveness but also reinforce its international standing as an independent and strategically autonomous regional organization, reflecting the sovereign foreign policy orientations of its member states.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, which includes several countries sharing borders with Afghanistan, has repeatedly expressed concern in recent years over the persistence of insecurity and the activities of extremist groups operating in and around the region. Member states have consistently warned that instability in Afghanistan could have wider implications for regional peace, security, and economic development.
As discussions continue within the SCO framework, Afghanistan remains a central subject of concern for member states seeking to address transnational security threats through coordinated diplomatic and strategic efforts.
