Central Asian security chiefs meet in Samarkand to discuss counterterrorism and regional stability

According to UzA, the meeting brought together the Security Council secretaries of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, along with the military attaché of Turkmenistan’s embassy in Tashkent, to address key security issues in Central Asia, including the fight against terrorism and extremism.

The event was held within the framework of consultative meetings of Central Asian state leaders under Uzbekistan’s chairmanship.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent a message of greetings to the forum participants, emphasizing that Central Asia is becoming a region of strategic partnership based on the principles of good neighborliness, mutual trust, and constructive dialogue.

Uzbekistan, as chair of the Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Leaders, promotes a regional partnership agenda aimed at strengthening global security, deepening trade and economic ties, enhancing transport connectivity, and jointly seeking sustainable solutions to pressing challenges facing the countries.

Participants discussed a broad range of topics, including regional security, the fight against terrorism, extremism, radicalization, and transnational organized crime, as well as cooperation in ensuring environmental security and improving transport safety and transit potential in Central Asia.

Within the forum, participants also reviewed the draft Concept for Ensuring Regional Security and Stability, proposed by the President of Uzbekistan during the Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Leaders held in Astana on August 9, 2024.

It is worth noting that annual consultative meetings of Central Asian leaders have been held since 2018 at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, with the participation of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was invited to the 2023 meeting in Dushanbe and the 2024 meeting in Astana. The next meeting of regional leaders is scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan in September.