UN and CSTO Warn of Security Implications from Developments in Afghanistan
Officials from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the United Nations met in Moscow to discuss the ‘Afghanistan factor’ as a central element of stability and security in Central Asia, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and preventive measures in response to developments in Afghanistan.
At the meeting, Samat Ordabaev, Deputy Secretary-General of the CSTO, and Kaha Imanadze, the UN Special Representative and Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia, discussed the evolving security situation in the region. A significant portion of their dialogue was dedicated to the consequences related to the situation in Afghanistan.
According to a CSTO statement, both parties stressed the necessity of sustained monitoring of Afghanistan’s status and the adoption of preventive steps to curb potential threats. Closer coordination with UN agencies to enhance regional responses to emerging threats was also identified as a key point of agreement.
The organization’s statement underscored that “continuous monitoring of the impact of the Afghanistan factor on regional peace and security, along with preventive actions to counter emerging threats, remains a top priority.”
These remarks come as the Taliban administration has repeatedly asserted that Afghan territory will not be used against other countries and that border security is under control. Nonetheless, the recurring reference to the “Afghanistan factor” in regional meetings indicates ongoing concerns about the security situation and the management of threats.
Some experts believe that the frequent raising of this issue in regional forums, beyond security considerations, reflects wider political dynamics related to engagement with Kabul.
Meanwhile, Talatbek Masadikov, Secretary-General of the CSTO, announced that a broader security meeting involving Afghanistan and Central Asian countries is planned for later this year. Representatives from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Commonwealth of Independent States are also expected to participate.
