SCO Leadership & Regional Agenda: Pakistan will take over the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Council of Heads of State chairmanship in September, with the next summit also planned in Pakistan, as the bloc marks its 25th anniversary and pushes economic cooperation and connectivity. Water & Infrastructure: Tajikistan and the Asian Development Bank discussed modernizing the Bahri Tojik (Tajik Sea) reservoir, including dam upgrades, pumping station modernization, irrigation and drainage improvements, and digital monitoring to better manage floods and climate-driven water risks. Afghanistan Connectivity Talks: EU and Central Asian envoys met in Almaty to coordinate approaches on Afghanistan, with a strong focus on transport and transit routes that could boost trade between Central and South Asia and strengthen long-term socio-economic ties. Tourism Push: Dushanbe created a National Tourism Association to unite public and private players, improve service quality, protect entrepreneurs’ interests, and market Tajikistan abroad, as visitor numbers rose to 1.7 million in 2025. Digital Economy Angle: A Dushanbe IT hub and broader digital payments growth are highlighted as early steps toward a more tech-driven economy, with electronic payments and legal reforms supporting momentum. Energy Cooperation Context: Regional discussions also continue around power and grid projects tied to cross-border electricity links, underscoring the business stakes of infrastructure financing.