On September 29–30, 2026, the 6th International Conference of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation on the spread of extremist ideology was held in Moscow. The CSTO delegation, comprising Umar Umarzoda, Head of the Department for Countering Challenges and Threats, and Igor Demchenko, Adviser to the Department, took part in the conference.
In the Russian Federation, at the Chebarkulsky training range, reconnaissance groups have begun practicing practical actions in designated areas as part of the CSTO special exercise with reconnaissance forces and assets “Search-2026”.
Today, a ceremony was held at the Chebarkulsky training range in the Russian Federation to open the command-and-staff exercise with the Collective Operational Reaction Forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization “Interaction-2026” and the special exercises “Search-2026” and “Echelon-2026”.
Statement by the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization on strengthening cooperation in combating illicit drug trafficking
27.11.2025We, the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the provisions of the Collective Security Treaty of May 15, 1992, and the CSTO Charter,
confirming that illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances (hereinafter referred to as drugs) and their precursors continues to pose a threat to the security, stability and prosperity of the CSTO member states and the international community as a whole,
remaining committed to the strategic objective of moving towards a drug-free world and to the inadmissibility of politicizing international cooperation in the field of drug control, declare as follows.
We reaffirm the importance of preserving and strengthening the existing international drug control system, based on the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 (hereinafter referred to as the conventions), which constitute its cornerstone.
We emphasize the central role of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in shaping global policy to address the world drug problem, and express support for the work of the International Narcotics Control Board as a guarantor of states’ compliance with the three UN conventions, based on the principle of preventing the legalization of the use of any drugs for non-medical purposes.
Recognizing the importance of the CSTO Anti-Drug Strategy for 2021–2025 in countering the drug threat, we welcome the adoption of the updated Strategy for 2026–2030. We reaffirm our commitment to developing practical cooperation, including within the framework of the Coordination Council of Heads of Competent Authorities for Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking of the CSTO Member States and the Coordination Meeting of Chief Narcologists of the CSTO Member States. We consider it important to continue regularly conducting the “Channel” subregional anti-drug operation, with an expanded geographical participation, as well as other collective measures aimed at combating drugs and their precursors, including those illegally imported from third countries.
Deeply concerned about the growing volumes of production and trafficking of synthetic drugs, we express our determination to jointly take effective measures to restrict the circulation of chemicals not subject to international control that are used in the production of synthetic drugs.
We intend to step up efforts to strengthen cooperation among law enforcement agencies, border and customs services, state security agencies and other competent authorities in combating the use of modern information and telecommunications technologies, including the Internet, its shadow segment, the Darknet, social networks, messengers and other online platforms for the trafficking of drugs and their precursors, as well as their promotion.
We are committed to enhancing the effectiveness of cooperation in combating the laundering (legalization) of proceeds derived from illicit trafficking in drugs and their precursors carried out by transnational organized groups through national and international electronic payment systems, as well as digital currencies.
We attach particular importance to further implementing joint measures aimed at preventing drug-related crimes committed by citizens of the CSTO member states traveling outside their countries, as well as expanding the use of technical control tools and international databases to identify and locate internationally wanted persons involved in crimes related to illicit drug trafficking in the CSTO area.
We note the immediate importance of developing effective measures to prevent drug abuse and promote healthy lifestyles, particularly among young people; providing drug-dependent persons with the full range of drug treatment services, including treatment and rehabilitation aimed at achieving complete abstinence from drug use; and the need to deepen broad practical cooperation among drug treatment services, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions and civil society in combating non-medical drug use, illicit drug trafficking and its negative social consequences.
We reaffirm our readiness to further expand anti-drug cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, as well as to develop ties with interested states and other regional and international organizations with a view to developing a coordinated and effective approach to countering the global drug threat.
