On September 23–25, 2025, an interregional seminar on “Strengthening cooperation to prevent and counter terrorism and foreign terrorist fighters” is taking place in Tashkent.

The event was organized by the Regional Office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran, and Pakistan, in cooperation with the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS).

Leading experts from Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Yemen, are participating in the seminar.

Speaking at the forum's opening, ISRS Deputy Director Bakhtiyor Mustafayev emphasized the event's special significance as a platform for strengthening international dialogue and developing joint counterterrorism measures. "This is an important step toward developing cooperation between the two regions in this area," the expert emphasized.

According to him, a multifaceted and coordinated approach to the prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration of foreign terrorist fighters and their families is key to effectively countering modern threats.

In this context, B. Mustafayev particularly noted the work of the Regional Expert Council on the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Returnees (RES), established in May 2024 at the initiative of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

It was emphasized that the Council is already demonstrating initial positive results. Consultations are being held, joint events and expert discussions are being organized, including meetings in Tashkent and Astana.

Concluding the seminar, the Deputy Director of the ISRS stated that the Council has the potential to become a unique international platform for exchanging experiences, developing professional knowledge, and developing effective methods for the rehabilitation and reintegration of citizens returned from armed conflict zones. Furthermore, the Council's work is fully consistent with the recommendations of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate.