SCO Officials Discuss Afghanistan, Call for Peace and Regional Stability
SCO deputy foreign ministers meet in Moscow, stress need for peaceful Afghanistan and discuss regional tensions including Iran conflict.
Deputy foreign ministers of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization met in Moscow to discuss multilateral cooperation, Afghanistan, and wider regional developments.
Participants stressed that Afghanistan should become a country free from war, terrorism, and narcotics, reaffirming support for a peaceful, neutral, and independent state.
Russia’s foreign ministry said the meeting also explored prospects for pragmatic dialogue with Taliban authorities and reviving the SCO–Afghanistan Contact Group.
Officials also discussed the Iran conflict, expressing concern over rising global tensions and calling for a swift political and diplomatic resolution.
Afghanistan continues to face a deep humanitarian and economic crisis, with millions struggling due to poverty, unemployment, and limited access to basic services.
Security concerns remain despite reduced large-scale conflict, as militant threats and regional instability continue to affect neighboring countries and cross-border dynamics.
International engagement with Afghanistan remains cautious, with many countries balancing humanitarian support against concerns over governance, human rights, and security risks.
SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev has said member states closely monitor developments in Afghanistan due to its direct impact on regional stability.
The SCO–Afghanistan Contact Group has been largely inactive since the Taliban’s return to power, though leaders including Vladimir Putin have supported its revival to help normalize the situation.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has also called for renewed engagement through the SCO framework. Founded in 2001, the SCO includes major regional powers such as Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asian states, with Afghanistan holding observer status.
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