Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has urged the special services of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to intensify their collaborative efforts in countering terrorism, cyberattacks, and the spread of extremist ideologies online. Speaking in a welcoming address to participants at the First 'SCO Plus' Expert Dialogue on Security held in Samarkand, the Uzbek leader highlighted the escalating complexity of modern transnational threats.
Key Takeaways: President Mirziyoyev emphasized the urgent need for enhanced intelligence sharing and preemptive measures against internet radicalization and cyber threats within the SCO. Uzbekistan currently holds the rotating presidency of the SCO Council of Heads of Government. ||
The head of state noted that digital technologies are increasingly exploited by malicious actors not only for legitimate progress but also for criminal and subversive activities. Cyberspace has allegedly transformed into a primary arena of confrontation, characterized by sophisticated network attacks, coordinated disinformation campaigns, and attempts to manipulate public opinion on a mass scale.
Particular concern was raised over the utilization of internet platforms by terrorist organizations for radicalization, online recruitment, and fundraising. Vulnerable demographics, specifically youth, are reportedly targeted by destructive forces, a dynamic that risks fueling intolerance, eroding interethnic and interfaith harmony, and destabilizing society.
Emphasizing that no single nation can effectively combat borderless threats independently, Mirziyoyev called for proactive risk identification and stronger institutional resilience. As the SCO marks its 25th anniversary, Uzbekistan—which recently assumed leadership of the Council of Heads of Government—continues to stress that practical multilateral cooperation and mutual trust are vital for regional stability.
Source: podrobno.uz