SCO Meeting In Dushanbe To Focus On Afghanistan’s Security, Terror Threats, And Political Settlement
A group photo of all SCO member states illustrated the organisation’s long-standing unity, setting the stage for the meaningful consultative meeting scheduled next in Dushanbe, which will focus squarely on Afghanistan’s security, terrorism threats, and political settlement. Image courtesy: SCO
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will hold a crucial consultative meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on September 11–12, with Afghanistan set to dominate the agenda. Member states will deliberate on regional security concerns, terrorism threats, and the urgent need for an inclusive political settlement in the war-torn country.
SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev confirmed that the discussions will focus on Afghanistan’s security and political situation, highlighting its wider regional implications. “While Afghanistan’s economy shows modest signs of improvement, major humanitarian and social challenges persist. Issues such as women’s rights, social instability, and the continuing threat of terrorism remain unresolved,” he told RIA Novosti.
Security will be a top priority for the talks. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu recently cautioned that more than 23,000 foreign militants are currently active in Afghanistan, raising fears of potential spillover violence into Central Asia.
Yermekbayev noted that SCO member states share a unified concern about Afghanistan’s challenges and maintain open channels with the Taliban on matters of border security and counterterrorism. However, he clarified that such cooperation is conducted bilaterally rather than through the SCO framework.
The SCO, established in 2001, includes Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus as full members. Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status, while Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates participate as dialogue partners.
The Dushanbe meeting follows the SCO’s annual summit held in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1. Notably, the Taliban was not invited to the summit, underscoring the absence of international recognition for its government despite ongoing engagement at the bilateral level.
The upcoming consultations in Dushanbe are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping regional consensus on Afghanistan, particularly on counterterrorism cooperation and stability in Central Asia.
