SCO Moves Toward Reviving Afghanistan Contact Group

DID Press: Shanghai Cooperation Organization is considering steps to resume the activities of its Afghanistan Contact Group, a mechanism that has remained largely inactive in recent years.

Speaking to a Russian media outlet on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Ahmad Saeed Moradzadeh said Afghanistan remains a key issue for SCO member states and is expected to be reflected in the final declaration of the organization’s upcoming leaders’ summit in Bishkek.

Moradzadeh noted that Afghanistan’s geographic position makes it a natural neighbor of SCO member countries and an important element of the organization’s regional security agenda. He expressed confidence that member states could reach a consensus on reactivating the contact group.

He also revealed that the first SCO consultations on Afghanistan after a four-year pause were held in Dushanbe on September 10–11 last year at the initiative of Tajikistan. The meeting brought together special representatives of member states to discuss developments in Afghanistan and avenues for expanding practical cooperation.

According to Moradzadeh, participants reviewed previous declarations while also exploring concrete and operational mechanisms for strengthening engagement with Afghanistan.

Efforts to revive cooperation frameworks between the SCO and Afghanistan come as the country continues to hold observer status within the organization.