AGP Executive Report

Aviation & Connectivity: Somon Air took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX (737-8, named for Avicenna), leased from DAE, aiming to launch intercontinental routes from Dushanbe with better range and fuel efficiency. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky reports new custom backdoors, OctLurk and SilkLurk, targeting government and research networks across Central Asia, including Tajikistan, with keylogging, password theft, and remote control capabilities. Climate Tech & Heritage: Mogao Grottoes in China use smart cave doors that open when CO2 rises to protect ancient murals—an example of tech adapting cultural sites to climate shifts. Regional Energy & Industry: Tajik President Rahmon urged Central Asia to study building a large oil refinery using modern technologies to boost energy security and reduce dependence on external supplies. Disaster Resilience: After July mudslides, Yori jamoat in Sughd avoided major damage thanks to a January 2026 riverbank protection project plus local training for emergency response. Science Cooperation: COMSTECH discussed launching a dedicated Tajikistan–COMSTECH programme to expand research, AI, innovation, and academic mobility.

Aviation Upgrade: Somon Air received its first Boeing 737 MAX (737-8) on Monday, leased from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, aiming to launch intercontinental routes from Dushanbe with better fuel economics and longer range. Regional Energy Tech: Tajik President Emomali Rahmon urged Central Asia to study building a large oil refinery using modern technologies, prioritizing domestic fuel needs and energy security. Mobile Network Push: Megafon Tajikistan added 23 base stations in H1, upgraded 47 to LTE, installed 85 more LTE modules, and tested 5G reaching up to 1.1 Gbps, with plans for 4T4R on 150 LTE sites. Science Cooperation: COMSTECH and Tajikistan discussed a joint programme to boost scientific collaboration, including researcher and student exchanges, joint exhibitions, and innovation forums. Cybersecurity Alert: Kaspersky reports new backdoors (OctLurk and SilkLurk) targeting Central Asian government networks since Jan 2025, with capabilities like keylogging, password theft, and remote control. Climate & Risk Reduction: Ayni/Penjikent mudslide lessons from Yori jamoat highlight how restored diversion channels, reinforced embankments, and local training helped protect 391 households. Connectivity Diplomacy: Central Asia and South Korea’s upcoming summit agenda was reviewed in Astana, with Tajik participation shaping cooperation priorities.

Aviation Upgrade: Somon Air took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX (737-8), aiming to modernize its fleet and open new short- and medium-haul routes across Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Cybersecurity Alert: Kaspersky reports new custom backdoors, OctLurk and SilkLurk, targeting government networks across Central Asia (including Tajikistan) since January 2025, with capabilities like keylogging, password theft and remote control. Desert & Land Restoration: Xinhua highlights a China-Central Asia desertification cooperation center in Ningxia, sharing methods such as straw checkerboards and stressing that solutions must fit local conditions; a Dushanbe workshop tailored training to mountainous terrain and erosion. Regional Energy Talks: Tajik President Emomali Rahmon urged Central Asian leaders to study building a large oil refinery using modern technologies, prioritizing domestic fuel needs and energy security. Tajik Disaster Resilience: After July mudslides damaged roads and communications in Sughd, the Yori jamoat avoided major losses thanks to a January 2026 riverbank protection project plus local training for residents. Science Cooperation: COMSTECH and Tajikistan discussed a joint programme to boost science, technology, AI, research and academic mobility. Mobile Network Push: Megafon Tajikistan added 23 base stations in H1, upgraded LTE sites and tested 5G, with plans to roll out 4T4R on more stations.

Cybersecurity in Central Asia: Kaspersky reports new custom backdoors, OctLurk and SilkLurk, targeting government and public-sector networks across Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Syria, with keylogging, password theft and remote control capabilities. Tajikistan’s Telecom Upgrade: Megafon Tajikistan says it added 23 base stations in H1, upgraded 47 to LTE, installed 85 more LTE modules, and tested 5G reaching up to 1.1 Gbps, with plans for 4T4R on 150 LTE sites. Regional Energy Tech Push: Tajik President Emomali Rahmon urged Central Asia to study building a large oil refinery using modern technologies to boost energy security and reduce dependence on external fuel supplies. Climate Risk, Local Engineering: After July mudslides, Yori jamoat in Sughd avoided major damage thanks to a January 2026 riverbank protection project plus community training for mudflow response. Science Cooperation via OIC-COMSTECH: Tajikistan and OIC-COMSTECH discussed a joint programme to expand research, AI, higher education links and student/innovator exchanges. Connectivity & Summit Prep: Senior officials from Central Asia and South Korea met in Astana to finalize the “Seoul Declaration” draft and flagship projects for the upcoming Central Asia–Korea summit. Sports Tech Showcase: The Games of the Future 2026 in Astana continues through Aug. 9, mixing esports and physical competitions with a heavy tech focus.

Cybersecurity in Central Asia: Kaspersky reports new custom backdoors, OctLurk and SilkLurk, targeting government and public-sector networks across the region since Jan 2025, with capabilities like keylogging, password theft, and remote control. Tajikistan Telecom Upgrade: Megafon Tajikistan added 23 base stations, upgraded 47 to LTE, installed 85 LTE modules, and tested 5G reaching up to 1.1 Gbps, with plans for 4T4R on 150 LTE sites. Regional Energy Push: Tajik President Emomali Rahmon urged Central Asia and Azerbaijan to study building a large oil refinery using modern technologies to boost energy security and reduce dependence on external supplies. Regional Integration Talks: Leaders met in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, calling for stronger cooperation on transport, digital services, energy, and security, with Azerbaijan’s deeper role highlighted. Science Cooperation: COMSTECH and Tajik officials discussed a dedicated Tajikistan–OIC COMSTECH programme to expand research, AI, innovation, and academic mobility. Connectivity & Summit Prep: Central Asia and South Korea advanced preparations for the first “Central Asia–Korea” summit, agreeing on a draft “Seoul Declaration.” Sports-Tech Showcase: Kazakhstan’s “Games of the Future 2026” in Astana blends esports and physical sports with tech, drawing presidents from the region.

Cybersecurity Watch: Kaspersky reports new custom backdoors, OctLurk and SilkLurk, hitting government networks across Central Asia (including Tajikistan) with keylogging, password theft, email collection, and remote control. Regional Energy & Industry: Tajik President Emomali Rahmon urged Central Asian leaders to study building a large oil refinery with modern technologies to boost energy security and reduce reliance on external fuel supplies. Digital Connectivity: Megafon Tajikistan expanded mobile infrastructure with 23 new base stations, upgraded LTE sites, and tested 5G reaching up to 1.1 Gbps. Scientific Cooperation: COMSTECH and Tajikistan discussed launching a joint programme to strengthen science and technology ties, including student and researcher exchanges. Climate & Waste: A new focus on landfill methane highlights how waste sites can drive fast climate warming unless methane is cut. Tech-in-Sport: Astana kicked off the Games of the Future 2026, blending esports with physical competitions and tech sports—regional leaders including Tajikistan’s Emomali Rahmon attended. Infrastructure Resilience: After July mudslides, Yori jamoat in Sughd credited a January riverbank protection project plus community training for preventing major damage.

Regional Summit Tech & Digital: Central Asian leaders and Azerbaijan met in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, pushing “Central Asia Plus” cooperation on transport, energy, industry, digital services, and shared investment platforms—Tajikistan’s Emomali Rahmon also urged practical steps to boost tech and connectivity. Energy Infrastructure: Rahmon proposed studying a large modern oil refinery for Central Asia to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on external fuel supplies. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky reports new custom backdoors, OctLurk and SilkLurk, targeting government networks across Central Asia and beyond, with keylogging, password theft, and remote control capabilities. Mobile Networks & 5G: Megafon Tajikistan added 23 base stations, upgraded 47 to LTE, installed 85 LTE modules, tested 5G up to 1.1 Gbps, and plans 4T4R on 150 LTE sites. Science Cooperation: COMSTECH and Tajik officials discussed a joint programme to expand research, AI, innovation, and academic mobility. Climate Resilience: Ayni/Penjikent mudflow lessons from Yori jamoat highlight riverbank protection and community training that prevented major damage. Sports Tech Showcase: Kyrgyzstan kicked off the high-tech F1H2O stage at Issyk-Kul, with leaders attending and noting the altitude challenge.

Regional Energy & Industry: Tajik President Emomali Rahmon urged Central Asia and Azerbaijan to jointly study building a large modern oil refinery to boost energy security and meet domestic demand for key petroleum products. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky reports new custom backdoors—OctLurk and SilkLurk—used in a campaign since Jan 2025, targeting government and public-sector networks across Central Asia, including Tajikistan, with keylogging, password theft, and remote control. Mobile Networks & 5G: Megafon Tajikistan says it added 23 base stations in H1, upgraded 47 to LTE, installed 85 LTE modules, and tested 5G speeds up to 1.1 Gbps, with plans to roll out 4T4R on 150 LTE sites. Disaster Resilience: After July mudslides, Yori jamoat in Sughd avoided major damage thanks to a January 2026 riverbank protection project plus local training for mudflow threats. Science Cooperation: COMSTECH and Tajik officials discussed a dedicated COMSTECH–Tajikistan programme for joint research, AI, innovation, mobility, and science diplomacy. Investment Push: Tajikistan is preparing for Textile Forum 2026 (Sept 23) to attract global investors into full-cycle textile production powered by mostly renewable hydropower.

Waste & Methane: Dushanbe’s waste experts warn that landfills are a major, often ignored methane source—and that cutting methane can slow near-term warming fast because methane breaks down in about a decade, aligning with the Global Methane Pledge. Cybersecurity: A new Central Asia–wide malware campaign uses two custom backdoors (OctLurk and SilkLurk) to keylog, steal passwords, and remotely control government computers, with activity reported across Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and more. Telecom Upgrade: Megafon Tajikistan says it added 23 base stations in H1, upgraded 47 to LTE, installed 85 LTE modules, tested 5G up to 1.1 Gbps, and plans 4T4R on 150 LTE sites next. Science Diplomacy: COMSTECH and Tajikistan discussed launching a joint programme to boost research, AI, higher education links, and student/innovator exchanges. One Health Media Training: CAREC opened applications for journalists to cover “One Health” and attend a Bishkek conference in September. Textiles & Investment: Tajikistan is preparing International Textile Forum Tajikistan 2026 (Sept 23) to attract investors into full-cycle textile production powered by mostly renewable hydropower. LEO Connectivity: ZHARYQ and Rivada Space Networks plan secure LEO satellite connectivity using an optical network concept for faster, safer data links. Regional Tech & Policy: SCO events in Kyrgyzstan continue to push digital economy, green industry, scientific cooperation, and practical integration projects.

Telecom Upgrade: Megafon Tajikistan rolled out 23 new base stations in H1, upgraded 47 sites to LTE and added 85 LTE modules, while running 5G tests that hit speeds up to 1.1 Gbps; next, it plans 4T4R tech on 150 LTE base stations. Science Diplomacy: COMSTECH’s coordinator general met Tajikistan’s ambassador to discuss a dedicated COMSTECH–Tajikistan programme covering joint research, capacity-building, student and researcher exchanges, and innovation forums. Media Training Call: CAREC opened applications for Central Asian journalists to train on the “One Health” approach ahead of a Bishkek conference in mid-September. Legal Tech Cooperation: Tajikistan’s justice “Qonuniyat” unit visited Uzbekistan’s Adolat legal information center and signed an MoU to boost digitization, electronic services, and AI-enabled legal information exchange. Textile Investment Push: Tajikistan is preparing for International Textile Forum Tajikistan 2026 (Sept 23), pitching full-cycle textile production backed by mostly renewable hydropower and long-term tax incentives to attract global investors.

One Health Media Training: CAREC opened applications for Central Asian journalists to join a specialized “One Health” reporting program and attend a Bishkek conference on Sept. 14–15, with an online training on Sept. 10 focused on how health, animals, and climate link in real stories. Tajikistan Investment Push (Textiles): Dushanbe is preparing for International Textile Forum Tajikistan 2026 on Sept. 23, aiming to pull in global investors for full-cycle textile production, backed by 98% renewable hydropower and long-term tax incentives. Digital Connectivity in the Region: Kazakhstan’s ZHARYQ partnered with Rivada Space Networks to deliver secure LEO satellite connectivity using a global optical mesh network concept, targeting faster, safer data links for sectors like banking and defense. Tech + Sport in Astana: Kazakhstan’s “Games of the Future 2026” kicked off in Astana, blending phygital esports and traditional sports with a heavy tech angle, drawing 800+ participants from 50+ countries. Antimicrobial Resistance on Farms: A CAREC piece highlights how antibiotic resistance is driven not just in hospitals but also in livestock production, where misuse can accelerate resistant bacteria.

Digital Sports in Central Asia: Kazakhstan kicked off the 3rd Games of the Future in Astana, a 12-day phygital event mixing sport, esports, and tech sports with 800+ athletes from 50+ nations, as leaders push a “fully digital state” agenda. Tajikistan Investment Push: Dushanbe is preparing for Textile Forum Tajikistan 2026 (Sept. 23), aiming to pull global investors into full-cycle textile production, backed by 98% renewable hydropower and long-term tax incentives. Secure Satellite Connectivity: Kazakhstan’s ZHARYQ partnered with Rivada Space Networks to deliver secure LEO connectivity using an optical “orbital network” approach, targeting faster, safer data links for sectors like banking and telecom. SCO Tech & Innovation Track: At the SCO foreign ministers meeting in Kyrgyzstan, China highlighted new SCO platforms spanning green industry, digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, AI, and education—plus dozens of projects already launched. Antibiotic Resistance on Farms: A regional focus piece warns that antibiotic resistance isn’t just a hospital problem; farm use drives resistant bacteria, raising stakes for Central Asian agriculture and public health. Geopolitics Meets Tech: Analysis links Taliban drone growth to wider regional proliferation risks, while SCO discussions keep returning to security cooperation and counter-terror commitments.

Tajikistan Investment Push: Dushanbe is gearing up for International Textile Forum Tajikistan 2026 (Sept 23), pitching full-cycle textile production—cotton to finished goods—backed by 98% renewable hydropower and long-term tax incentives to lure global investors. LEO Connectivity Deal: ZHARYQ Kazakhstan is partnering with Rivada Space Networks to deliver secure low-latency satellite connectivity via a 600-satellite LEO system with laser links and onboard routing. SCO Tech & Media Focus: At the SCO Media and Think Tank Summit in Bishkek, officials highlighted practical cooperation across digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, AI, and green industry, while experts called for turning research capacity into real integration projects. Regional Security Tech Angle: Analysis says the Taliban’s drone push is accelerating across borders, raising proliferation risks for Central Asia as cheap dual-use systems spread. Health & Farming: A regional look at antimicrobial resistance warns that antibiotic use on farms is a major driver of drug resistance, not just hospital misuse.

SCO Tech & Media Push: At the SCO Media and Think Tank Summit in Bishkek, speakers backed turning expert work into practical integration projects, with China’s Wang Yi highlighting new SCO platforms in digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, AI, and green industry. Tajikistan Investment Drive: Dushanbe is set to host International Textile Forum Tajikistan 2026 on Sept. 23, pitching full-cycle textile production powered by mostly renewable hydropower and long-term tax incentives to attract global investors. Secure Satellite Connectivity: ZHARYQ Kazakhstan partnered with Rivada Space Networks to expand secure LEO connectivity across Central Asia, aiming to support faster, safer digital services. Third Pole Mercury Monitoring: A China-led study with Tajik partners released a mercury dataset from air, aerosols, glaciers, soils and more to strengthen environmental risk assessment across the “Third Pole.” Central Asia Connectivity Watch: New reporting on Eurasian transport financing points to Central Asia’s growing share of major projects, while the region’s westward links via the South Caucasus keep gaining attention.

Textile Investment Push: Tajikistan is gearing up for International Textile Forum Tajikistan 2026 in Dushanbe on Sept. 23, aiming to pull in global investors for full-cycle textile production, from cotton processing to finished goods, backed by 98% renewable hydropower and long-term tax incentives. Satellite Connectivity: ZHARYQ Kazakhstan is partnering with Rivada Space Networks to deliver secure next-gen LEO connectivity across Central Asia, pitching low-latency, end-to-end optical networking for government and enterprise users. SCO Tech & Research Links: The SCO Expert Forum in Bishkek brought together analysts and academics, while officials stressed turning expert potential into practical integration projects—plus China’s push for SCO cooperation platforms spanning digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, and AI. Central Asia Environment Data: Chinese scientists, with Tajik partners, released a new mercury dataset for the “Third Pole,” supporting environmental monitoring and policy decisions. One Health Heat Warning: A Central Asia-focused piece highlights how extreme heat links health, livestock, ecosystems, and early-warning systems—calling for coordinated monitoring and data sharing.

Secure Satellite Connectivity: Kazakhstan’s ZHARYQ is partnering with Rivada Space Networks to roll out a low-latency LEO “Outernet” connectivity system across Central Asia, aiming to support government and enterprise data needs with security built into an orbital mesh network. Textile Investment Push: Tajikistan’s International Textile Forum 2026 opens with a pitch for full-cycle textile projects, backed by 98% renewable hydropower and long-term tax incentives to attract global investors. SCO Tech & Security Focus: At the SCO foreign ministers’ track in Kyrgyzstan, China’s Wang Yi highlighted digital economy and AI cooperation, while experts urged turning SCO know-how into real integration projects; Pakistan also pressed the SCO to push Afghanistan’s Taliban on counter-terrorism. Health & Science Diplomacy: COMSTECH and the foreign ministry launched the first 2026 issue of the Journal of Science Communication and Diplomacy, spotlighting science diplomacy and evidence-based policymaking. Environment Monitoring Upgrade: A Tajik-linked research team helped publish a new mercury dataset for the “Third Pole,” supporting environmental risk assessment across air, aerosols, glaciers, and soils. Extreme Heat Warning: Central Asia is facing more severe heatwaves, with “One Health” calls for shared early-warning and data-sharing across meteorology, health, veterinary, and environmental agencies.