Security challenges emanating from Afghanistan have led to the creation by Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan of the Central Asian Afghanistan Contact Group.
The group will allow Central Asian nations to speak with one voice on issues of border security, counterterrorism, drug trafficking and other security challenges attributable to their proximity to Afghanistan.
Special representatives from the four countries formed the regional diplomatic mechanism at a meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in August 2025.
The region has shown signs of increased terrorist activity from groups such as ISIS-Khorasan. For example, Tajikistan attributed attacks along its border region, which led to an exchange of fire between Tajikistan border guards and Afghans in November 2025, to an Afghanistan-based criminal group.
Creation of the contact group represents a coordinated effort by Central Asian nations to engage with Afghanistan in areas of security, trade, transportation and energy. The goal is greater stability that will curb the spread of violent extremism.
Sources: Special Eurasia, Türkiye Today, Kun.uz, The Diplomat