Transboundary Water Diplomacy: Tajikistan’s Dushanbe hosted the 4th International Conference on “Water for Sustainable Development” (2018–2028), with UN envoy Retno Marsudi urging collective action, more investment, and faster implementation to keep momentum ahead of the next UN Water Conference. Parliament & Climate Tech: CAREC joined Eurasian parliamentarians at an IPU seminar, pitching WasteMAP, a satellite-based tool to track methane from landfills and turn data into climate policy. Rogun Dam Focus: A new report revisits Tajikistan’s “greatest dream,” framing the Rogun Dam as a long-term answer to winter power shortages and possible future exports. Domestic Industry Push: President Emomali Rahmon ordered four new cement plants by 2029, targeting 6 million tons a year and doubling output to meet local construction demand, with thousands of jobs expected. Water as Security Risk: Pakistan’s climate minister Musadik Malik warned against “water aggression” and unilateral moves that could weaken treaty systems, citing the Indus Waters Treaty. Digital Economy Warning: Indonesia’s deputy foreign minister said AI, data centers, and digital infrastructure are driving rising water demand, calling it a looming global risk. Regional Security: Russia’s FSB chief said Tajik and Uzbek security cooperation helped disrupt terrorist plans, while warning ISIS-K is recruiting Central Asians and migrants in Russia. Governance & Tax: Tajikistan plans to tax e-wallet and QR payments from Sept. 1, 2026, aiming to pull unregistered entrepreneurs into the tax net.