IsDB Partnership & Energy Projects: Tajikistan’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Development and Trade Minister met IsDB leadership in Baku to push the 2023–2026 Country Engagement Framework, review progress on the Rogun hydropower project, and highlight CASA-1000 as a key electricity trade corridor. IsDB Financing Boost: The IsDB board approved a $2.8bn package at its 2026 annual meetings, including $93.8m for Tajikistan’s Rushan–Varshez road rehabilitation to improve regional trade links and climate resilience. Rail Procedures for Investment: Tajikistan’s business environment focus is mirrored regionally as Vietnam amended railway administrative procedures to speed up permits and licensing, with decentralised responsibility to local authorities—an example of how regulation can be made more investor-friendly. Tajikistan Public Health Crackdown: Dushanbe shut down an alleged counterfeit children’s medicines operation, seizing tens of thousands of bottles and hundreds of thousands of packages and labels; a suspect was detained and a criminal case opened. Regional Connectivity & Think Tanks: Afghanistan–Central Asia–Azerbaijan forums in Kabul and Almaty stressed trade, transit, energy and research cooperation, with Afghanistan positioned as a bridge between Central and South Asia. AI & Investment Competition: Uzbekistan’s TIIF push included tax-free zones for AI and data centres and plans for a digital geological database—signals of where regional capital is heading.