Korea-Central Asia Summit: South Korea is set to host the first presidential summit with all five Central Asian states in Seoul on Sept. 16, aiming to lock in a long-term agenda on critical minerals, energy, digital technologies, transport, and AI—after a run of bilateral talks with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Nuclear & Tech Deals: South Korea and Kazakhstan signed a memorandum on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and agreed to expand cooperation in critical minerals, AI, science and technology, and infrastructure. Industry Ministers’ Push: Seoul also hosted the first C5+1 industry ministers meeting, focusing on smart infrastructure, industrial complexes, factory digitalization, and building supply-chain links from minerals to advanced processing. Tajikistan Soil Protection (UNICEF): Tajikistan is using smart tech to protect its soil with UNICEF support, including smarter monitoring tied to environmental and child-focused risk reduction. Cybercrime Alert: Researchers found hundreds of fake government and news websites targeting people in Uzbekistan, Belarus, and Tajikistan with bogus cash-payment schemes designed to steal personal data and money. AI Infrastructure Outlook: Moody’s says AI investment could boost growth across Central Asia and the Caucasus, but only if electricity, telecoms, water, and computing capacity keep up. Security Context: The SCO’s anti-terror body condemned new military strikes on Iran and urged de-escalation, with member states including Tajikistan in attendance.