Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed to strengthen cooperation in countering terrorism, cybercrime and other security threats during the eighth round of consultations between their Security Councils in Shymkent, according to Akorda.

The talks were co-chaired by Aida Balayeva, Deputy Chair of Kazakhstan's Security Council, and Viktor Makhmudov, Secretary of the Security Council under the President of Uzbekistan, The Caspian Post reports, citing Qazinform.

Representatives of relevant government agencies also attended the meeting, which focused on key areas of bilateral security cooperation.

The sides discussed joint efforts to combat international terrorism, religious extremism, youth radicalization, organized crime, drug trafficking, illegal migration and cybercrime. Particular attention was paid to emerging threats associated with digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

The discussions also covered regional water and environmental security, including the sustainable management of transboundary water resources and measures to prevent emergencies.

During the meeting, officials highlighted Kazakhstan's proposals to establish an International Water Organization within the United Nations system and set up a Regional Center for Forecasting Climate and Man-Made Emergencies.

At the conclusion of the talks, Balayeva and Makhmudov signed a cooperation protocol and agreed to establish a joint expert working group to oversee its phased implementation.

Consultations between the staffs of the two countries' Security Councils are held regularly under an agreed cooperation plan.

Following the meeting, the delegation leaders planted trees at Askarov Dendrological Park in Shymkent to mark the continued partnership between the neighbouring countries.