Minerals & Industry: Tajikistan says 259 mineral deposits have been officially registered after approved exploration reports, with the geological development programme now at 96.4% implementation and 2026 studies running ahead of last year. AI Diplomacy: Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has traveled to Shanghai for the 2026 World AI Conference and Global AI Governance talks, aiming to boost international AI cooperation and “Global South” priorities. Conservation Tech: Tajikistan and Uzbekistan inspectors are rolling out SMART Patrol in protected areas like Zarafshon, using rugged phones to track violations and rare species with a “digital passport” for ecosystems. Regional Connectivity: Belt and Road trade momentum is accelerating across Central Asia, with China and five partners pushing high-quality cooperation and a land-sea corridor. Energy & Materials: Tajik cement prices stayed stable after spring hikes, with shortages shifting to intermediaries and retail; the ministry links demand growth to construction and independence celebrations. UN Tech-Policy Angle: India launched its UNSC 2028–29 bid under “SHANTI,” explicitly tying technology to peace and security—while the Asia-Pacific seat is set to be contested with Tajikistan. Critical Minerals Finance: A U.S. State Department-linked TRIPP+ Enterprise Fund is appointing Konstantin Sokolov to lead $200m+ for transport, energy infrastructure and critical minerals across Central Asia, including Tajikistan.