Air Quality Transparency: Tajikistan launched an official air-quality portal (airquality.meteo.tj) for Dushanbe, Kulyab, Vahdat and Hisor, using data from six monitoring devices, after objections to an IQAir assessment. Lithium Push: Tajikistan plans to start a lithium mining project at the Namadgut deposit in Ishkashim within a year; most equipment is already delivered and the site also reportedly contains niobium, tantalum and beryllium, though reserve size and output aren’t disclosed. Energy Supply Stress: With Russian fuel shortages biting, Tajikistan says it has enough fuel for two more months but is again seeking domestic hydrocarbon options, including exploration with CNPC, while aviation kerosene export limits complicate supplies. Rural Reality: A new look at demographics shows Tajikistan remains the least urbanized in Central Asia, with only about 28% of people living in cities, largely tied to agriculture-based livelihoods. Regional Trade Connectivity: Uzbekistan has started using new overland corridors through Iran and China to reach Pakistan, bypassing Afghanistan, with cargo already moving via the Gabd-Rimdan route and related border crossings. UN Diplomacy & Seat Math: India’s UNSC 2028-29 campaign is set to launch next week, with elections in June 2027 when India and Tajikistan will compete for the Asia-Pacific Group’s sole seat. Agritech Linkages: A-IDEA at ICAR-NAARM hosted a 46-member delegation from 24 countries, including Tajikistan, to study agritech incubation and how startups can commercialize tech for farmers.