Rogun Dam Funding Shift: The EU is set to become a major funder of Tajikistan’s strategic Rogun project as Russia’s influence wanes, with the dam positioned as a national power and export game-changer. Waste-to-Energy Push: Dushanbe is weighing a modern waste-to-energy plant with a Chinese partner to cut landfill volumes, improve sanitation, and add electricity capacity. Water Diplomacy in Dushanbe: A Dushanbe seminar on building trust over shared waters fed into the broader “Water for Sustainable Development” agenda, with strong focus on data-driven negotiation and inclusive participation, including women’s roles. Women in Water Governance: Separate forums in Dushanbe highlighted gender-sensitive water financing, innovation, and glacier conservation, linking local leadership to cross-border resilience. Tajik-Iran Trade Gains: Tajikistan–Iran trade rose to $119.6m in Q1 2026 (up 8% y/y), following the 18th joint commission meeting and a signed protocol. SCO Financial Talks: Finance ministers and central bank heads met in Bishkek to advance SCO financial cooperation, including consultations on creating an SCO Development Bank. Pasture Restoration Results (Khatlon): Monitoring in Khatlon found improved pasture productivity tied to rotational grazing, fenced restoration, and pasture user unions. Regional Trade Upturn: Intra-regional Central Asia trade hit $3.2bn in Q1 2026 (up 29%), led by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, while Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan remain more import-dependent. Fuel Supply Watch: Russia’s temporary aviation fuel export ban until Nov 30 could affect Central Asian buyers reliant on Russian jet fuel flows.