National Bank & Currency: Tajikistan’s National Bank has unveiled commemorative independence coins for the 35th anniversary, featuring the state emblem, “1991–2026” markings, and gold Au 999 / silver Ag 925 specifications. SCO Diplomacy & Trade: At the SCO 25th-anniversary summit in Bishkek, leaders adopted the Bishkek Declaration, stressing the bloc is not a military-political alliance while pushing cooperation on security, trade facilitation, energy, transport, and the digital economy; Xi Jinping also framed SCO as a driver of higher-quality development and multipolar governance. Central Asia Energy & Water: Analysts highlight that Central Asia’s energy transition—hydropower expansion alongside solar, wind and storage—now hinges on water security as climate volatility threatens both generation and demand. U.S.-Central Asia Business Push: U.S. envoy Sergio Gor and Senator Steve Daines met Central Asian leaders in Bishkek with a focus on investment, trade, infrastructure and critical minerals, including discussions with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon. Tajikistan Minerals & U.S. Interest: Washington signaled growing interest in Tajik antimony as a strategic supply source amid tighter Chinese controls, with Rahmon meeting Gor and Daines in Bishkek. Transport & Connectivity: S7 Airlines added flights from Novosibirsk to Dushanbe and Khujand, boosting travel links for Tajikistan. Payments Tech: VTB expanded QR code payments to Indonesia and the Philippines, continuing its push to serve Russian travelers and cross-border commerce. Afghanistan Trade Shift: Coverage notes Afghanistan’s trade routes are increasingly shifting away from Pakistan toward Central Asia and Iran, with Tajikistan among the rising corridors.