The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has highlighted its diplomatic engagement and efforts to support Afghanistan during an academic lecture delivered at the Diplomatic Institute of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Dr. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Ayash, Director General of the OIC Office in Afghanistan, delivered the lecture on “Diplomacy and the Efforts of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Afghanistan.

According to Zia Ahmad Takal, Director of Public Communication at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the event was attended by ministry employees and officials from various government institutions.

During his presentation, Al-Ayash discussed key mechanisms of public and multilateral diplomacy, outlining the history of the OIC, its various institutions and organizational structure.

He also reviewed decisions concerning Afghanistan adopted at OIC summits and meetings of foreign ministers, highlighting the role of the organization’s office in Kabul in following up on their implementation.

The ambassador further discussed the organization’s initiatives and activities aimed at supporting Afghanistan across different sectors.

The session concluded with an interactive discussion, during which participants raised questions, shared their perspectives and exchanged views on several diplomatic and institutional issues.

The lecture provided an opportunity to discuss the OIC’s diplomatic mechanisms and its engagement with Afghanistan through multilateral cooperation.

Rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan are threatening efforts to expand trade and transport links between Central and South Asia, putting ambitious regional economic targets at risk.

According to a report by Eurasianet, strained relations between Islamabad and Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate authorities are undermining plans to strengthen commercial ties between Pakistan and Central Asian countries.

Kazakhstan lowers trade expectations

Kazakhstan has adopted a more cautious outlook on trade with Pakistan, with officials estimating the potential for bilateral trade growth at around $645 million.

The figure emerged during November 1 talks in Astana between Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin and Pakistani Investment Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, falling short of earlier expectations that annual trade could exceed $1 billion.

Uzbekistan’s $2 billion target faces hurdles

Uzbekistan and Pakistan have also set an ambitious target of increasing annual bilateral trade to $2 billion within five years.

However, existing trade figures highlight the challenge. In 2024, Pakistan exported $129 million worth of goods to Uzbekistan, while Uzbek exports to Pakistan reached $257 million. Trade showed little growth in 2025.

Afghanistan tensions complicate regional connectivity

Eurasianet identifies the ongoing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad as a major obstacle to developing reliable transport corridors linking Central Asian markets with Pakistani seaports.

Pakistan has promoted its ports as strategic gateways for landlocked Central Asian economies, offering access to international shipping routes. However, security concerns and strained relations with Afghanistan threaten the reliability of these connections.

The diplomatic divide was also evident during the October meeting of the Moscow Format, where disagreements between Afghan and Pakistani representatives over terrorism-related terminology prevented the participants from issuing a joint statement.

Despite continued efforts to strengthen economic cooperation, the developments highlight how security tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan could undermine broader plans to connect Central and South Asian markets and expand regional trade.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has described the Moscow Format of Consultations as the leading regional platform for building consensus on Afghanistan, calling for greater cooperation among neighbouring countries to address security and political challenges.

Speaking at the Fourth Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security in Belarus on Tuesday, November 3, Lavrov said the eighth meeting of the Moscow Format had taken place in the Russian capital the previous month, with a high-level delegation from Afghanistan in attendance.

“Today, the most representative platform for developing a regional consensus on Afghanistan is the so-called Moscow Format of Consultations,” Lavrov said.

He stressed that countries in the region should take the lead in addressing Afghanistan-related challenges, arguing that cooperation and dialogue among regional states cannot be replaced by outside powers.

Regional cooperation on Afghanistan

The Moscow Format brings together Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, India and Central Asian countries to discuss political, security and economic developments concerning Afghanistan.

The eighth meeting, held in Moscow in October 2026, included representatives from participating countries and a high-level Afghan delegation.

However, disagreements between Afghan and Pakistani representatives over terminology related to terrorism prevented participants from issuing a joint statement.

Moscow calls for broader Eurasian security framework

Lavrov also used his address to call for a broader Eurasian security architecture based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and guarantees of security for all countries.

He said regional conflicts should be addressed by tackling their underlying causes and through cooperation among the countries directly concerned.

The Russian foreign minister reiterated Moscow’s opposition to an expanded military presence by countries outside the region in strategically sensitive areas.

His remarks highlight Afghanistan’s continued importance in Russia’s regional diplomatic priorities, as Moscow seeks to strengthen cooperation on security, political stability and economic connectivity across Eurasia.