CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadykov took part in the International Security Forum

On May 28, 2026, CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadykov took part in the International Security Forum held under the auspices of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. More than 150 delegations from 120 countries participated in the event.

The event began with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the tragedy in the city of Starobelsk.

Statement by CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadykov on “Challenges and Threats to International Security in the Context of the Formation of a Multipolar World Order”

Dear Chairman,

Dear colleagues and participants of the Forum,

On behalf of the Secretariat of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, I welcome the organizers and participants of the fourteenth meeting of high representatives responsible for security issues. The relevance of such meetings is determined by the need for broad discussion of global and regional security problems and the search for ways to resolve them.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Security Council of the Russian Federation for the invitation to this important and representative meeting, which has become a valuable practice of interaction both at the bilateral level and within the framework of international organizations. This enables us to maintain professional dialogue, exchange experience and information on pressing issues, and develop collective measures for joint action in defending interests in the field of global and regional security.

This is especially important and in demand at the present stage of the world order, when serious changes have occurred in the system of international security based on the UN Charter. Legal nihilism is becoming entrenched in key areas of world politics. The practice of resolving problems through the use of force is increasing. The erosion of fundamental deterrence mechanisms contributes to confrontation and the growth of conflict potential in all regions of the world. The ongoing arms race in many countries is a matter of serious concern. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, global military expenditures in 2025 reached USD 2.9 trillion. Particularly high growth in military spending has been recorded in Europe (14%).

The recent surge in terrorist threats worldwide is a direct consequence of the collapse of the previously existing system of international security. In conditions of global confrontation and the expanding practice of armed violence in conflict zones, terrorism and extremism have ceased to be tools of marginal groups and are increasingly being used by certain states to pursue their political and economic interests. Terrorism is becoming an increasingly complex threat integrated into the system of hybrid warfare. There has been a rise in terrorist and other threats to societies and states committed under the influence of radical ideas, including neo-Nazism, xenophobia, racism, and other forms of intolerance.

Dear colleagues,

Alongside global processes and general trends in the development of the military-political situation in the world, each region has its own specific features, including the area of responsibility of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

In particular, in the Eastern European collective security region, due to heightened military activity near the western borders of the CSTO, the strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank, and the systematic supply of weapons to Ukraine by European countries, the situation remains unprecedentedly tense and acute.

In the Caucasus collective security region, we note with satisfaction positive developments in relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. At the same time, analysis of developments in the region indicates that the conflict in the Middle East and the growing influence of the EU and the United States may further complicate the situation.

In the Central Asian region, despite recent positive developments, the overall situation remains tense. The Afghan-Pakistani region continues to be a key factor affecting the situation, where political instability persists, socio-economic decline is observed, and unresolved issues remain in the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.

We are confident that the implementation of the CSTO Interstate Targeted Program adopted by our heads of state in 2024 to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border will significantly reduce tensions in the region and contribute to stabilizing the situation.

A certain danger to the CSTO member states is posed by the further intensification of hybrid threats associated with destabilizing information campaigns and pressure on our countries through unilateral measures of economic and financial coercion, as well as attempts to destabilize currency systems. Modern information technologies and technical means involving artificial intelligence are increasingly being used for these purposes.

The list of conflict-generating material exported to CSTO member states also includes the dissemination of radical ideas, subversive literature, and manuals on terrorism and extremism by international structures and various non-governmental organizations.

Overall, taking into account the military-political situation and the existing challenges and threats in the CSTO area of responsibility, the Organization has established and is successfully implementing a comprehensive system of measures aimed at ensuring the security of our states.

As priority measures to strengthen the CSTO security system, the basis of which is formed by the Organization’s Collective Forces, we pay particular attention to maintaining their high combat readiness for deployment as intended. To this end, measures are being taken to equip the Collective Forces with modern weapons and military equipment and to organize their training through various exercises and drills.

An important area of our joint activity is countering modern security challenges and threats facing the CSTO member states. The practical implementation of this task is carried out through permanent special preventive operations aimed at:

– suppressing terrorism;

– combating illicit drug trafficking;

– countering illegal migration;

– ensuring information security.

The effectiveness and relevance of these operations are demonstrated both by their results and by the active participation of representatives of профильных structures of international organizations such as the UN, the CIS, the SCO, and third countries.

We are ready to share our experience with all interested профильные structures of friendly states.

The further development of the Organization’s security system is being carried out in accordance with the priorities of the Russian Federation during its chairmanship of the CSTO in 2026.

We see significant potential for countering challenges and threats in expanding cooperation and improving interaction among international and regional organizations. We call for the consolidation of the capabilities of states and alliances interested in constructive cooperation.

Thank you for your attention, and I wish you productive work during the Conference.