Tajikistan Digital Push: Construction has started on the $100M IT Hub Dushanbe, with an IT school, IT park, business center, and a regional AI center—aimed at scaling the digital economy and innovation. Education Tech Link: Tajikistan and China are expanding education cooperation, focusing on Chinese-language instruction, digital learning, teacher training, and internships, with many Tajik institutions already tied into Chinese partnerships. Critical Minerals Diplomacy: The U.S. held a new C5+1 critical minerals dialogue in Astana, with Central Asian states including Tajikistan discussing exploration, mapping, processing, logistics, and supply-chain integration. Climate Action Platform: Central Asia’s climate conference is evolving into a more permanent regional mechanism for coordinated action, finance, and data sharing. Water & Land Management: The GEF launched the CAWLN water-land nexus program across five countries to tackle shrinking rivers and land degradation through integrated, transboundary planning. Glacier Naming for Research: Tajikistan renamed its largest glacier as the “Tajikistan Glacier,” tied to ongoing cryosphere monitoring efforts in the Pamirs. Renewables Grid Warning: A regional report flags that Central Asia’s fast renewable buildout could raise costs and risks unless grid, storage, and market reforms keep pace. Security Tech in Focus: The U.S. sanctioned 13 people/entities tied to Iran’s IRGC missile procurement network, including firms linked to MANPADS sourcing.