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The Diplomat (12 September 2024)

Nargiza Umarova

In 2018, the Central Asian states launched a mechanism of consultative meetings, which marked the beginning of a new wave of regional integration. Today, the issue of security remains a key aspect of intra-regional cooperation.

Given the current geopolitical tensions in the world, accompanied by growing violence and conflicts of varying intensity, it is vital for the Central Asian countries to maintain stability in the region, effectively countering modern challenges and threats. In order to consolidate efforts in this direction, at the fourth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan in 2022, it was proposed to establish a regular dialogue between the secretaries of the security councils of the five republics, as well as to strengthen cooperation between the military departments. The first meeting of the heads of the security councils took place in May 2024 in the capital of Kazakhstan.

Among the common security threats that regional actors seek to combat together are international extremism, terrorism, drug trafficking, and the illegal arms trade. However, there is another factor that causes extreme concern for Central Asian countries: the situation in Afghanistan, which directly affects security and stability in Central Asia.

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