On 19 October 2026 in Astana, during ICAO Aviation Security Week, the Coordination Group on Aviation Security of Central Asia and the Caucasus held a meeting. Aviation authorities of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia took part. Russia attended as an observer.
What was discussed
— risk assessment for civil aircraft and the risks of flying near armed-conflict zones; — threats from unmanned aerial vehicles; — detection of improvised explosive devices; — prompt information exchange and stronger protection measures for aviation; — mutual support in preparing for ICAO audits and correcting identified deficiencies; — implementation of the ICAO Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP); — priorities for joint work in 2027.
No specific decisions on flying near conflict zones were named: the issue was discussed as part of risk assessment and information exchange.
What next
According to the organisers, cooperation in the group improves compliance with ICAO requirements, which is reflected in the audit results of the region's states. The results and experience of regional cooperation were to be presented on 22 October at the ninth session of the Week, "Road to HLCAS/3". It is devoted to preparing for the third ICAO High-Level Conference on Aviation Security, planned for 2027.
Background
The group was created in 2022 on Kazakhstan's initiative. It previously met in Almaty, at the ICAO Aviation Security Training Centre, in April 2023 and April 2024. Aviation authorities of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan took part then. At the Astana meeting, Turkmenistan and Armenia joined them.
Our assessment: the growth of the group from six to eight states and the appearance of drones and improvised explosive devices on the agenda suggest that the regional agenda is shifting from audit preparation to practical threats. Until decisions on flying near conflict zones are named, what this means in practice for the region's airlines depends on which 2027 priorities are approved. This is flycentralasia's conclusion, not a statement by ICAO or the meeting's participants.
What businesses can do. Airports and aviation security services can follow the 2027 priorities and the outcome of the "Road to HLCAS/3" session. Suppliers of drone-detection systems, screening equipment and training can offer solutions matched to ICAO requirements and audit preparation. Airlines flying to the Middle East and the Caucasus can check their route risk assessments against regional information exchange.