China–Central Asia Science Push: China is deepening scientific cooperation across the region, including Uzbekistan’s hyperspectral satellite Samarkand-2028 with an onboard AI module for faster agriculture and disaster monitoring, plus joint desertification and soil-revival work with Chinese research institutes. Caspian Sea Monitoring & Tech: Turkmenistan hosted Caspian Sea Day events in Awaza, while Kazakhstan is funding expanded marine monitoring and specialized labs to protect the Caspian ecosystem, with regional scientific cooperation and modern monitoring technologies on the agenda. Tajik–Belarus Agri R&D: Tajikistan and Belarus are expanding cooperation in fruit and vegetable production, including new fruit tree varieties, seed testing, and joint research between agricultural institutions, with a Friendship Garden initiative in Brest. Tajikistan Energy Exploration: Tajikistan’s Bokhtar oil-and-gas project is moving toward first ultra-deep drilling in early 2027, with seismic data processing underway under CNPC’s production-sharing agreement. SCO Digital & Connectivity Agenda: The SCO’s 25th anniversary summit in Bishkek is set to cover security, transport links, energy, healthcare, and digitalisation, including AI and cybersecurity initiatives. Border Tech & Security: Kyrgyzstan reports installing extensive barbed-wire fencing along the Kyrgyz–Tajik border to curb smuggling and strengthen engineering border security.