On May 20, consultations of representatives (experts) of the defense agencies of the CSTO member states aimed at improving air defense and developing the CSTO Collective Aviation Forces were held via videoconference at the CSTO Joint Staff headquarters.
On May 20–21, 2026, a Coordination Meeting of Chief Narcologists of the CSTO member states was held in St. Petersburg within the framework of the Russian Federation’s chairmanship in the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
On May 19, 2026, Acting CSTO Deputy Secretary General Samat Ordabayev met in Vienna with Director of the Division for Operations of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Bo Mathiasen.
On May 19, 2026, an international round table on the topic “CSTO: together for strengthening international peace and stability” was held at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria, on the sidelines of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation in Europe.
On May 18, CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadykov, together with the heads of the diplomatic missions of the CSTO member states in Vienna, took part in a solemn wreath and flower-laying ceremony at the monument to the Soviet Liberator Soldier at Schwarzenbergplatz.
Representatives of the CSTO took part in the V International Conference of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs on Countering Extremist Ideology
19.09.2025
The V International Conference of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation on the problem of the spread of extremist ideology was held in Moscow. A delegation from the Secretariat of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) took part in the forum: Sergey Gonchar, Deputy Head of the Department for Countering Challenges and Threats, and Igor Demchenko, Advisor to the Department.
The event brought together law enforcement officials and representatives of international organizations from more than 20 countries to develop coordinated approaches to countering modern security challenges.
Sergey Gonchar delivered a speech at the plenary session on “Countering terrorism and extremism within the CSTO”. In his speech, he emphasized the complex nature of modern threats and the need for a collective response to them, noting: “The trend of turning terrorist and extremist groups into instruments of geopolitical struggle is a complex challenge, and it is a challenge to the very foundations of the state's existence. In these circumstances, the CSTO member states have no alternative but to take urgent and coordinated measures aimed at ensuring security”.
The presentation provided a detailed overview of the CSTO's practical experience, including the ongoing Operation Mercenary, which aims to disrupt channels of terrorist financing, recruitment and illegal migration. Particular attention was paid to efforts to harmonize legislation and develop cooperation with key international partners.
