Afghanistan’s security situation and its impact on regional stability were among the issues highlighted by Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu during a meeting of security council secretaries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Shoigu stressed the importance of constructive cooperation with Kabul, saying that developments in Central Asia directly affect stability in Afghanistan. He said cooperation with Afghanistan is a shared priority in the fields of security, economic development and regional cooperation.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Shoigu also warned about emerging threats linked to drug trafficking, particularly the spread of synthetic drugs, describing them as a serious regional challenge.

He noted that drug trafficking networks are increasingly using contactless delivery methods and alternative payment systems, including cryptocurrencies, making coordinated efforts among countries essential.

Shoigu added that the meeting addressed drug trafficking within the CIS region, including the previous threat posed by opiates originating from Afghanistan.

He called for joint regional efforts to counter new forms of drug trafficking and strengthen security cooperation among member states.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has rejected the US State Department’s decision to place Afghanistan under its highest travel warning, describing the advisory as unjustified and insisting that foreign nationals face no security threats in the country.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said citizens from various countries, including tourists, diplomats, journalists and businesspeople, continue to visit Afghanistan.

He added that those visitors maintain relations with various countries, including the United States, and that security forces pay special attention to protecting foreign nationals and individuals linked to international organisations and governments.

Mujahid said the reasons behind Washington’s concerns would be examined, but maintained that, from the Islamic Emirate’s perspective, no one faces a threat in Afghanistan.

His remarks came after the US Department of State placed Afghanistan among 23 countries under its Level 4 travel advisory, urging American citizens not to travel to the country.

The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) opened in Antalya, Türkiye, on Monday, November 9, bringing together government leaders, senior officials, scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs and civil society representatives from around the world.

The two-week conference, scheduled to run until November 20, aims to strengthen international cooperation, build mutual trust and turn climate commitments into practical and measurable action.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that climate change poses an existential threat to humanity, urging countries to take urgent and collective action to protect human lives.

Guterres stressed that the world can no longer afford endless discussions or shifting responsibility, calling on all countries to do more to address the growing climate crisis.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Türkiye wants COP31 to go beyond political declarations and produce concrete decisions that can be implemented to tackle climate challenges.

Erdoğan said more than 600 events have been planned during the conference, showcasing solutions in areas including clean energy, waste management, climate finance and climate-resilient cities.

He emphasized that the real test of the summit would be whether international commitments are translated into tangible results.

The conference comes amid growing concerns over the worldwide impacts of climate change, including prolonged droughts, devastating floods, extreme heat and unusual rainfall patterns.

Afghanistan remains among the countries highly vulnerable to climate change, despite contributing only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions. An Afghan delegation has also been invited to participate in COP31.

The summit provides an important platform for vulnerable countries, including Afghanistan, to highlight climate-related challenges and seek greater international cooperation and support.

The first UN climate change conference, COP1, was held in Berlin, Germany, in 1995. Since then, the annual gatherings have become a major international forum for negotiating global climate policies and addressing environmental challenges.