The Collective Security Council is the highest body of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
It consists of the heads of the participating States or the heads of Government of the Member States, if in accordance with the legislation of their State they are empowered to make decisions on issues within the competence of the Council, and the Commander-in-Chief of the United Armed Forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The Collective Security Council of the CSTO has the following powers:
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considers issues related to ensuring the implementation of the Collective Security Treaty;
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conducts consultations in order to coordinate the positions of the participating States in the event of a threat to the security, territorial integrity and sovereignty of one or more participating States or a threat to peace and international security;
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develops measures to improve the defense management of the participating States;
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considers issues of providing necessary assistance, including military assistance, to a State Party that has been subjected to aggression by a State or group of States;
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establishes and takes such measures as he finds necessary to maintain or restore peace and security. Reports on such measures are immediately sent to the UN Security Council;
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coordinates the activities of the participating States in the main areas of mobilization training of the armed forces and economic structures;
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develops recommendations on the main directions of military-technical policy and equipping the armed forces of the participating States with weapons and military equipment.
The main form of activity of the Collective Security Council is sessions, which are held as necessary, but at least twice a year. Extraordinary sessions are convened at the request of at least two members of the Council.
In the event of an extraordinary session, the Heads of the Participating States may appoint their plenipotentiary representatives to participate in the session.
Depending on the content of the issues under consideration, the sessions of the Council may be attended by heads and other officials of the authorities and administration of the participating States, as well as officials of the Main Command of the United Armed Forces of the Commonwealth with the right of advisory vote.
Decisions of the Council on issues other than procedural ones are taken by consensus.
Any Member State shall have one vote in the voting.
Decisions of the Council are taken at its sessions in accordance with the rules of procedure, which are established for each meeting separately, and enter into force for each State Party in accordance with its constitutional procedures.
The Council has the right to take decisions in a limited format, provided that none of the Member States objects to such a decision-making procedure. A decision in a limited format may be taken if none of the Member States objects to such a decision. A Member State that has not voted for a decision in a limited format is not responsible for the consequences of the decision.
The Chairman of the Council is a member of the Council representing the State in whose territory the regular session of the Council is held, unless the Council decides otherwise.
If the Chairman is unable to perform his functions, a new Chairman is elected for the remaining period.
By a decision of the Collective Security Council, the Secretary General of the Council is appointed from among civilians, as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the States parties to the Collective Security Treaty, whose duties may be assigned to the Commander-in-Chief of the United Armed Forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
For organizational and informational support of the Council's activities, working bodies may be formed, decisions on the establishment of which are approved by the Council on the proposal of the heads of the participating States or the Commander-in-Chief of the United Armed Forces of the Commonwealth.
By decision of the Council, commissions may be established to consider individual issues, which include experts from the participating States and the main Command of the United Armed Forces of the Commonwealth.
The activities of the Council and its working bodies are financed by the States parties to the Treaty on a parity basis.
The next session of the CSTO Collective Security Council will be held on November 23, 2023 in Minsk under the chairmanship of President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
