State Security Service Chairman addresses the opening of the First SCO Plus Expert Dialogue on Security Issues

Samarkand hosts the first SCO Plus Expert Dialogue on Security Issues.

At the opening session, Colonel General Bakhodir Kurbanov, Chairman of the State Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan, delivered welcoming remarks, drawing participants’ attention to the active use of digital technologies by terrorist and extremist organizations to spread their ideologies, recruit members, raise funds, and plan and carry out terrorist attacks.

“In 2026 alone, we have identified more than 49,000 online resources containing extremist and terrorist content, an increase of 14 percent compared with approximately 43,000 in 2025. This trend clearly demonstrates the growing use of the internet to promote radical narratives”, the State Security Service Chairman said.

The Chairman of the State Security Service noted that mechanisms for interagency and international cooperation had been improved as part of the implementation of the National Strategy for Countering Extremism and Terrorism for 2021-2026. He said Uzbekistan’s efforts had also been reflected in international rankings. In the 2026 Global Terrorism Index, Uzbekistan ranked 96th, indicating a low impact of terrorism and, according to Mr. Kurbanov, demonstrating the effectiveness of the country’s approach to combating this threat.

In his address, the State Security Service Chairman outlined priority areas for ensuring security in the era of digital transformation, including identifying new forms and methods of terrorist activity in the digital environment and preventing the use of artificial intelligence for terrorist purposes.

Concluding his address, Mr. Kurbanov emphasized the relevance and importance of the Dialogue, during which participants will discuss current security challenges and threats and develop coordinated measures to strengthen cooperation at the international and regional levels.

UzA