Imangali Tasmagambetov Summarized CSTO Activities in 2024

In an article for the National Defence magazine, Imangali Tasmagambetov, Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), stated that in 2024, the Organization continued to actively work on the implementation of its functions, despite the complication of the international situation.

According to him, the main efforts were aimed at coordinating the foreign policy of the CSTO states, increasing the readiness of CSTO forces and assets to confront challenges and threats in the region. Special attention was paid to preventing the spread of regional conflicts and harmonizing positions on relevant international problems. The CSTO continued its active cooperation with the UN and other international organizations in the field of maintaining peace and security.

“The formation and establishment of a polycentric world order is accompanied not only by the actualization of the civilizational approach in practical international politics, but also by the rapid transformation of the military and political situation in Eurasia. As a positive factor, we consider the growing consolidation of the countries of the Global South. The so-called middle powers are beginning to play an increasing role in regional processes, building up their international authority through mediation,” Imangali Tasmagambetov noted.

In addition, he said that the CSTO Secretariat associates the stability prospects in Eurasia with the development of the trilateral format – CSTO, CIS and SCO – working on the basis of the CSC decision on developing cooperation between the CSTO, CIS and SCO, adopted in 2022.

The CSTO Secretary General noted that in 2024, particular attention was paid to develop measures aimed at reducing the demand for drugs. The activities of the Coordination Meeting of Chief Narcologists of the CSTO Member States have been brought to a new qualitative level. Representatives of the ministries of education and internal affairs bodies responsible for the prevention of non-medical drug use and drug trafficking have been involved in the work of the meeting.

The article also reports that this year, the CSTO Secretariat has completed the development of the CSTO Targeted Interstate Programme on Strengthening the Tajik-Afghan Border. The relevant decision was adopted by the Collective Security Council on November 28, 2024.

“Taking into account the large number of internal and external threats to the security of the CSTO Member States, as well as the focus of national governments on joint efforts to neutralize them, we can affirm that the Organization has great potential for further development. Moreover, our association demonstrates the ability to adapt to changes in the international situation, global geopolitical processes and the hybrid nature of modern conflicts,” Imangali Tasmagambetov concluded.

Since January 1, 2025, the chairmanship of the Collective Security Treaty Organization will be transferred from the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kyrgyz Republic.