On November 6, 2026, the first expert "SCO Plus" Dialogue on Security was held in Samarkand, with SCO Secretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev taking part in the event.
The welcoming address by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was read to the delegates by Viktor Makhmudov, Secretary of the Security Council of Uzbekistan. The head of state stressed that the rapid development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence not only opens up broad opportunities for progress but also creates fundamentally new vulnerabilities, while cyberspace is becoming a key arena of confrontation. Such processes objectively increase the need for practical mechanisms of cooperation.
The event was chaired by Bakhodir Kurbanov, Chairman of the State Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It was attended by heads and representatives of the competent authorities of the SCO member states, as well as delegates from observer states and dialogue partners, international organisations and the expert community.
The key theme of the Dialogue was ensuring security in the era of digital transformation, including countering terrorism and extremism in light of the development of new technologies. Participants discussed the impact of digital technologies and artificial intelligence on the activities of terrorist and extremist groups, as well as ways to improve international cooperation in this area.
Speaking at the event, the SCO Secretary General noted the importance of maintaining steady dialogue, trust and mutual understanding among the member states. In this regard, he stated: "One of the SCO's practical contributions is the preservation of steady dialogue, trust and mutual understanding among the member states, even despite some possible differences in their approaches. Through consultations, the Organisation succeeds in developing common positions and maintaining its peaceful, non-bloc character and mutual trust."
Nurlan Yermekbayev also spoke about the need for a comprehensive approach to security, emphasising the link between security and development: "Security is inseparable from development. Our Organisation follows a comprehensive approach, based on the understanding that it is impossible to ensure lasting security without addressing socio-economic issues."
The Secretary General also noted the promise of further deepening expert cooperation, expanding the exchange of experience and developing practical recommendations in the areas of cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection and the fight against cybercrime.
The holding of the first expert Dialogue became an important practical step in implementing the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan.
On the sidelines of the Dialogue, the SCO Secretary General met with Bakhodir Kurbanov, Chairman of the State Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as with several other representatives of the competent authorities of the participating states.