On 9 October 2026, the IV International Scientific and Theoretical Conference on the topic "National and Regional Security in the Light of Contemporary Challenges" was held in Astana.
The event was hosted by JSC "Center for Military-Strategic Research"of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The conference was attended by representatives of government bodies, defense agencies, the diplomatic corps, and academic and expert circles. The participants discussed issues of regional and military security, countering current challenges and threats, as well as the application of new technologies in the security sphere.
In her video address to the participants, SCO Deputy Secretary-General Piao Yangfan, noted the outcomes of the SCO summit held in Bishkek on 1 September 2026, including adoption of the Declaration on the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the Organization and approval of the regulations on the Universal Center for Countering Challenges and Threats to the Security of SCO Member States and on the Executive Committee of the SCO Anti-Drug Center. She emphasized the importance of strengthening interaction among member states in the security sphere, including in countering new challenges associated with the development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, as well as expanding cooperation among research and expert-analytical centers.