From July 7 to 9, second staff talks were held in the Russian Federation on the organization and conduct of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF) command-and-staff exercise “Interaction-2026”, the special reconnaissance exercise “Poisk-2026”, and the logistics support exercise “Echelon-2026”.
In accordance with the 2026 Action Plan of the Coordinating Council of Heads of the Competent Authorities for Countering Illicit Drug Trafficking of the CSTO Member States, and as part of the Russian Federation's priorities during its 2026 CSTO Chairmanship, the sub-regional counter-narcotics operation “Kanal – Amber Coast” was conducted from June 29 to July 3, 2026. The operation was aimed at disrupting trafficking routes for narcotic drugs, their precursors and analogues, new psychoactive substances, and potent substances into the CSTO area of responsibility, neutralizing international transnational drug trafficking groups, dismantling clandestine drug production facilities, undermining the economic foundations of the drug trade, including the laundering of drug proceeds.
The 12th Southern Information Security Forum “Infoforum Sochi 2026” is taking place in Sochi, Russia, from June 30 to July 3. On July 1, the Forum's plenary session brought together representatives of federal and regional authorities, regulatory bodies, leading companies, and international organizations to discuss current challenges in the protection of critical infrastructure, the development of artificial intelligence, and international cooperation.
On June 30 – July 1, 2026, Saint Petersburg hosted a series of events chaired by Alexander Kurenkov, Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters, with the participation of heads of the competent authorities of the CSTO member states responsible for emergency prevention and response.
From June 24 to 26, 2026, CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadykov paid a working visit to the Republic of Tajikistan at the personal invitation of President Emomali Rahmon.
The 42nd meeting of the Working Group on Afghanistan under the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers was held at the CSTO Secretariat
03.12.2025
On December 3, 2025, the 42nd meeting of the Working Group on Afghanistan under the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers was held with the participation of CSTO Secretariat staff, delegations from member states of the Organization, representatives of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, the UNRCCA, the CIS ATC, the SCO RATS, The CIS Council of Border Guard Commanders, and the ICRC.
There was a thorough exchange of views on the current situation in Afghanistan, noting the continuing high potential risks and threats emanating from that country.
The opinion was expressed on the need to continue humanitarian and economic support for the population of Afghanistan by the CSTO member states.
The participants of the Meeting expressed a common position on the advisability of continuing to monitor the situation in Afghanistan and facilitating the establishment of peace processes in that country.
In conclusion, the minutes of the 42nd meeting and the Group's Work Plan for the first half of 2026 were adopted.
