Korea-Central Asia Summit: South Korea will host the first leader-level Korea–Central Asia Summit in Seoul on Sept. 16, with President Lee Jae-myung meeting Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to push a “Seoul Declaration” on critical minerals, energy, supply chains, AI/digital tech and connectivity. Regional Trade & Agriculture: Pakistan’s food security minister met Tajikistan’s ambassador to discuss reviving bilateral trade and expanding cooperation in agriculture, food processing, livestock and farm technology ahead of an ECO meeting. Tajikistan–Pakistan Energy/Transit: Pakistan reiterated that CASA-1000 and similar regional energy projects were launched decades ago and said progress depends on restoring normal relations and reducing “terrorist activities,” while Afghanistan’s economy ministry pointed to improved security conditions. Water & Aral Sea Basin: Turkmenistan hosted a second consultative meeting on creating an implementation mechanism for the UN Special Program for the Aral Sea Basin, with Tajikistan among participants. Finance Watch: IMF data shows Tajikistan has the region’s largest outstanding IMF debt (111.36m SDR, about $153m), while Uzbekistan is second (73.64m SDR, about $101m). Local Development: President Emomali Rahmon marked Tajikistan’s 35th independence anniversary in Rasht Valley, citing commissioning progress on hundreds of production and social facilities.