The SCO Anti-Drug Center Establishes in Dushanbe: Building a New Frontier in Central Asia's Anti-Drug Defense

Tajikistan is poised to transform from a frontier for Afghan drug smuggling to a command center for regional anti-drug cooperation, marking a critical strategic shift in the global war on drugs.

In September 2025, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit witnessed a historic moment: the official unveiling of the SCO Integrated Center for Addressing Security Threats and Challenges, the Center for Combating Transnational Organized Crime, the Information Security Center, and the Anti-Drug Center.

The establishment of the Anti-Drug Center in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, marks a major innovation and upgrade in the SCO's security cooperation mechanism.

01 The Threat of Drug Tide: Security Challenges in Central Asia

Central Asia, located in the "heartland" of Eurasia, is a unique geographical location that makes it a transit point for Afghan drugs destined for countries around the world.

The increasing risk of drug spillover and infiltration from the "Golden Crescent" poses a serious threat to the security, social stability, and economic development of regional countries.

Tajikistan, sharing a long border with Afghanistan, is a major drug-stricken region in Central Asia and a major conduit for Afghan drug exports. Statistics show that from 1994 to the first half of 2014, Tajikistan seized over 102 tons of drugs, including 33 tons of heroin and 36.1 tons of opium.

02 Historical Attempts: The SCO's Anti-Drug Efforts

Since its inception, the SCO has prioritized anti-drug cooperation in the security sector. In June 2004, the heads of state of the SCO member states signed the "Agreement among SCO Member States on Cooperation in Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors" at the Tashkent Summit, officially launching SCO anti-drug cooperation.

In May 2009, at China's initiative, the first SCO meeting of heads of anti-drug departments decided to establish a mechanism for senior officials' meetings of anti-drug departments. Four standing expert working groups were established, focusing on the legal basis, drug enforcement, precursor chemical control, and drug demand reduction, thus initiating the process of institutionalizing anti-drug cooperation.

Since then, the SCO has developed a series of documents, including the "SCO Member States' Anti-Drug Strategy 2011-2016" and its "Implementation Action Plan," the "SCO Member States' Anti-Drug Strategy 2018-2023," and the "SCO Concept for the Prevention of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substance Abuse."

03 Cooperation Achievements: Joint Operations and Intelligence Sharing

SCO member states have carried out practical cooperation in the field of drug control, achieving certain results through intelligence exchange and joint law enforcement.

In terms of drug enforcement, member states have actively carried out "transnational controlled delivery" operations. From November 2008 to August 2010, China's Ministry of Public Security coordinated and directed public security anti-drug departments in Guangdong, Xinjiang, and Beijing, working with the Kazakhstan National Security Council to conduct four successful transnational "controlled delivery" operations, resulting in the arrest of 17 foreign suspects and the seizure of a large amount of drugs.

These joint law enforcement operations have not only combated drug crime but also enhanced mutual trust and cooperation among member states. Tong Liguo (Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Narcotics Control Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security of China) stated, "Cooperation is a process. Differences in language, culture, and law require mutual understanding and communication to gradually build mutual trust."

04 Dushanbe Initiative: Tajikistan's Proactive Role

In an interview, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon stated, "Tajikistan is on the front lines of combating the drug threat," and the initiative to establish the SCO Anti-Drug Center in Dushanbe has received support from all member states.

Rahmon stated, "Tajikistan and China are comprehensive strategic partners, and our cooperation spans all areas, including politics, economy, and culture." He noted that China is Tajikistan's largest source of investment, with continued investment in Tajikistan over the past decade, with increasing investment in mining, textiles, food, energy, transportation, metallurgy, and agriculture.

Tajikistan attaches great importance to the Belt and Road Initiative, believing that it provides broad opportunities for global economic integration, infrastructure development, and the expansion of international relations.

05 Center Mission: Strategic Functions of the Anti-Drug Center

The SCO Anti-Drug Center will undertake multiple core functions and serve as the SCO's frontline command post in combating drug crime.

The Center will establish a unified drug intelligence platform to enable real-time sharing of intelligence on drug production, trafficking, and sales among member states, enabling drug enforcement officers from each country to promptly identify criminal leads and initiate counter-drug operations.

In terms of law enforcement cooperation, the Anti-Drug Center will organize member states to conduct joint anti-drug operations to curb drug production at the source, disrupt drug transportation channels, and dismantle drug distribution networks, thereby creating a strong deterrent against drug crime.

In addition, the Anti-Drug Center will vigorously carry out anti-drug publicity and education activities to raise public awareness, especially among young people, and foster a positive atmosphere for drug prevention.

06 Global Significance: Multilateralism in Security Practice

The establishment of the SCO Anti-Drug Center transcends regional boundaries and has global significance. Iran's Tehran Times commented, "While some countries are still pursuing a 'small circle' security perspective, the SCO, through its 'Four Centers', has implemented a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security concept, providing Eastern wisdom for resolving security dilemmas."

This new security concept emphasizes equality, commonness, comprehensiveness, cooperation, and sustainable security, distinguishing it from traditional alliance-based security arrangements and offering a new paradigm for global security governance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin commented, "This is a milestone in the SCO's transformation from a 'security advocate' to a 'security provider,' and will provide institutional guarantees for stability on the Eurasian continent."

Turkey's Sabah newspaper noted that the operating mechanism of the "Four Centers" "breaks through the bureaucratic drawbacks of traditional security cooperation, and its rapid response capabilities are worthy of NATO's reference."

Afghanistan accounts for over 80% of the world's poppy cultivation area, and a large amount of heroin produced annually is smuggled through Central Asian countries such as Tajikistan to the Russian and European markets.

The Narcotics Control Center will coordinate member states in joint anti-drug operations, share intelligence information, and combat transnational organized crime syndicates. This mechanism will not only help curb drug flows but also cut off funding sources for terrorism.

SCO Secretary-General Yermekbayev noted that the Tianjin Summit was the culmination of China's presidency and a fruitful event. With the official launch of the Anti-Drug Center in Dushanbe, security governance in Central Asia will usher in a new landscape.