AGP Executive Report

SCO Trade Push in Dushanbe: The 25th SCO meeting of ministers for foreign economic and trade affairs wrapped up in Tajikistan, with India urging lower trade costs, more resilient supply chains, and faster connectivity through simplified customs, paperless procedures, and electronic document exchange. SCO Competition Policy: Dushanbe also hosted SCO antimonopoly authorities, where members discussed cooperation on competition protection amid digital growth and shared results from Uzbekistan’s consumer and market safeguards. Tajikistan–Bahrain City Links: Tajikistan and Bahrain held talks in Manama on strengthening bilateral ties, including a proposal to twin Dushanbe and Manama to boost municipal cooperation, tourism, education, and business contacts. Tajikistan Finance Meets EBRD: Tajikistan’s finance minister met EBRD officials in London to discuss energy security (including Roghun), grid modernization, transport connectivity, irrigation, digitalization, and risk management for future projects. Italy Eyes Central Asia Deals: In Astana, Italy launched the B5+Italy business platform with Central Asian states, aiming to turn political dialogue into trade, investment, industrial partnerships, logistics, and critical minerals cooperation. Counter-terror Tech in the Region: INTERPOL’s AI-backed “Operation Shams II” identified 126 foreign terrorist fighters using facial images, with Tajikistan among participating countries. Water Security Financing: The OPEC Fund approved $645m for water, energy, resilient transport, and access to finance across 14 partner countries.

SCO Trade Push in Dushanbe: Tajikistan hosted the 25th SCO ministers’ meeting on foreign economic and trade affairs, where India urged lower trade costs, resilient supply chains, and faster connectivity, stressing trade facilitation and digital customs to cut time and paperwork for businesses. Tajikistan Finance Talks in London: Finance Minister Fayziddin Qahhorzoda met EBRD officials to discuss energy security priorities including Roghun, grid modernization, transport connectivity, irrigation, and risk management for projects. Bilateral City Links: Tajikistan and Bahrain explored deeper ties in Manama, including a potential twinning arrangement between Dushanbe and Manama to boost municipal cooperation, tourism, education, and economic exchange. Regional Business Platform: Italy and Central Asia launched the B5+Italy platform in Astana, aiming to turn political dialogue into investment and industrial partnerships across trade, logistics, critical minerals, green energy, and agribusiness. Anti-Monopoly Cooperation: Dushanbe hosted SCO antimonopoly authority talks, with Uzbekistan reporting steps to curb anti-competitive actions and digital regulation via its Fair Tech system. Security Tech for Trade Stability: INTERPOL’s AI-backed “Operation Shams II” identified 126 suspected foreign terrorist fighters from online jihadist content, including Tajikistan participation—another reminder of the security backdrop for regional commerce.

OPEC Fund Financing: The OPEC Fund approved US$645m for 14 partner countries, including support for water, energy, transport connectivity, and business and farmer access to finance—US$435m public and US$210m private. SCO Trade in Dushanbe: Tajikistan hosted the 25th SCO foreign economic and trade ministers’ meeting, where India pushed “Security, Connectivity and Opportunity,” and called for digital customs, paperless trade, and lower transit costs. Tajikistan Finance Talks: Tajikistan’s finance minister met EBRD officials in London to discuss cooperation priorities, including Roghun hydropower, grid modernization, transport connectivity, irrigation, and risk management. Anti-Money Laundering Link: Korea’s KoFIU and Tajikistan’s financial monitoring unit signed an MoU to exchange financial information to fight money laundering and suspicious capital flows. B5+Italy Platform: Italy and Central Asia launched the B5+Italy business platform in Astana, aiming to turn dialogue into trade, investment, industrial cooperation, logistics, and critical minerals. Bilateral City Twinning: Tajikistan and Bahrain explored Dushanbe–Manama twinning to expand municipal cooperation in culture, tourism, education, and economic ties. Competition Policy Cooperation: SCO antimonopoly authorities met in Dushanbe, focusing on digital-market competition and cross-border enforcement. INTERPOL AI Counter-Terror: INTERPOL’s “Operation Shams II” used AI to identify 126 foreign terrorist fighters from 108,076 facial images, with Tajikistan among participating countries.

SCO Trade Push in Dushanbe: India used the 25th SCO meeting on foreign economic and trade affairs in Tajikistan to press for lower trade costs, faster customs, paperless documentation and more resilient supply chains, framing it around “Security, Connectivity and Opportunity.” SCO 2026–30 Action Plan: Trade ministers adopted an SCO action plan for 2026–2030, aiming to turn cooperation goals into practical intra-bloc trade and investment steps. Tajikistan Independence Focus: Tajikistan marked 35 years of independence with nationwide events, while officials and investors pointed to industrialization, green energy, modern infrastructure and projects like Rogun as the next growth agenda. Korea–Central Asia Deals: South Korea’s first leaders-level summit with all five Central Asian states in Seoul produced a “Seoul Declaration” and dozens of MOUs, with critical minerals, energy, AI and supply-chain cooperation at the center. Korea–Tajikistan Cooperation: A Korea–Tajikistan strategic investment forum in Seoul highlighted expanding partnership plans, while KoFIU and Tajikistan’s financial watchdog signed an MoU to strengthen anti–money laundering information exchange. Security Tech in the Region: INTERPOL’s AI-backed “Operation Shams II” identified 126 suspected foreign terrorist fighters, with Tajikistan among participating countries.

SCO Trade Talks in Dushanbe: The 25th meeting of SCO ministers for foreign economic and trade activities was held in Tajikistan, with India pushing for “Security, Connectivity and Opportunity” to cut trade costs, boost intra-SCO commerce, and speed up customs digitalisation and paperless document exchange. Korea-Central Asia Deal Push: Seoul’s first summit with all five Central Asian states wrapped with a “Seoul Declaration,” aiming to turn critical minerals and energy into supply-chain cooperation, plus a plan for leaders’ summits every two years and an industrial ministers’ mechanism. KoFIU–Tajik AML Pact: Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit and Tajikistan’s National Bank unit signed an MoU to exchange financial information and strengthen anti-money laundering work. Uranium Cleanup Update: Kyrgyzstan’s Mailuu-Suu cleanup faces higher costs after engineers found tailings inside a dam, extending remediation needs through 2032 and highlighting long-running risks in Central Asia’s uranium sites. Air Quality Watch: IQAir’s 2025 report ranked Pakistan the most polluted, with Tajikistan also listed among the countries exceeding WHO PM2.5 guidelines—an issue with clear public health and business implications. Kazakhstan Harvest Review: Kazakhstan reported harvest progress and financing for 2027 sowing, including concessional loans for producers and machinery leasing—key signals for regional grain supply planning.

Anti-Money Laundering: Korea’s KoFIU and Tajikistan’s National Bank financial monitoring unit signed an MoU to exchange information and better spot suspicious capital flows. Regional Competition Policy: Pakistan’s competition chief briefed SCO antimonopoly heads in Dushanbe on cross-border cartel detection and intelligence-led market surveillance. Tajikistan–Korea Deal Momentum: A Korea–Central Asia push is turning into business follow-through, with Tajikistan highlighted in Seoul’s investment and cooperation documents, while Korea’s rail and logistics firms expand ties with Central Asian partners including Tajikistan. Infrastructure & Industry Strategy: The Eurasian Development Bank says domestic industry, skills and innovation are the path to higher-income status, stressing state-backed infrastructure and risk-sharing. Transport Connectivity: EDB analysis points to a fast-growing Central Asia transport pipeline aimed at linking China, the Caspian, Europe and South Asia. Air Quality Watch: IQAir’s 2025 ranking puts Pakistan worst for PM2.5, with Tajikistan also listed among countries exceeding WHO limits. Cyber Security: Researchers link parts of the SilkParasite campaign’s infrastructure across Central Asia, raising risks for government and critical sectors.

Korea–Central Asia Summit Momentum: South Korea and five Central Asian states (including Tajikistan) adopted the Seoul Declaration, setting a 30-year agenda and agreeing to hold leader summits every two years, with a new C5+1 industrial ministers mechanism focused on critical minerals, energy, AI, and supply-chain value creation. Tajikistan–Korea Deal Flow: At the Korea–Central Asia Business Summit in Seoul, KOTRA brought 33 Central Asian buyers and project owners for about 200 consultations, with 16 export contracts worth around $14m signed on-site; Tajik firms were among participants. Rail Connectivity for Tajikistan: Korea Rail Network Authority signed an MoU with Tajikistan Railways to share railway project issues and expand technical exchanges, aiming to support K-railway’s global expansion. Customs & IP Enforcement: South Korea agreed with Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan to expand customs cooperation and joint action against counterfeit goods, including shared clearance communication channels. Kuwait–Tajik Labor Push: Tajikistan and Kuwait discussed recruiting qualified Tajik workers for Kuwait’s private sector, building on a 2024 workforce exchange agreement. Regional Trade Context: EDB analysts say Central Asia’s transport boom is reshaping Eurasian connectivity, with major investment in roads and rail to support new trade routes.

Korea–Central Asia Deal-Making: South Korea used its first leader-level summit in Seoul to lock in a 30-year cooperation plan with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, adopting the “Seoul Declaration” and agreeing to biennial summits (next in Astana in 2028) plus industry-minister talks, with a clear business focus on critical minerals, energy, trade, logistics, AI and digitalization. Tajikistan–Korea Commercial Push: At the same summit, Korea signed 17 agreements with Tajikistan covering railways, transport and logistics, customs and police cooperation, IP, energy and industrial safety, while also laying groundwork for AI/digital industries and exploring critical minerals and green transition. Customs & Anti-Counterfeit: South Korea’s customs agency signed MOUs with Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan to share data and run joint enforcement against counterfeit Korean goods, including plans for customs clearance communication channels. KOTRA Supply-Chain Outreach: KOTRA hosted a Korea–Central Asia Business Partnership in Seoul, bringing 33 Central Asian buyers and suppliers and 90 Korean firms for about 200 consultations, with 16 export contracts worth $14m and a “supply chain lounge” aimed at stabilizing key raw-material flows. Kuwait Labor Talks: Tajikistan and Kuwait moved to expand labor cooperation, with Dushanbe seeking recruitment of “qualified” Tajik workers for Kuwait’s private sector under a 2024 workforce exchange agreement. Tajikistan Climate Early Warning: Tajik authorities reported 741 natural emergencies in early 2026 and are working with UK-backed tools like GIS, drones and early warning systems to reduce disaster losses.

Korea–Central Asia Deal-Making: South Korea and five Central Asian states (including Tajikistan) adopted the Seoul Declaration at their first leaders’ summit in Seoul, setting a 30-year agenda and agreeing to biennial summits (next in Astana in 2028) while pushing cooperation on critical minerals, energy, trade, logistics, AI and digital transformation. Tajikistan–Korea Partnership: In a separate bilateral meeting, President Emomali Rahmon and South Korea’s Lee Jae-myung upgraded ties to a “comprehensive partnership,” signing 17 agreements covering railways, critical minerals, digital industries, AI groundwork, energy and customs/security cooperation. Business Summit MoUs: A Korea–Central Asia Business Summit gathered about 520 officials and business leaders, with deals aimed at industrial and supply-chain value chains rather than raw-material exports, plus plans to streamline customs via digital systems. Tajikistan Climate Resilience: Tajikistan is turning to early warning systems after deadly mudflows and avalanches, discussing with the UK tools like GIS, drones, risk mapping and remote monitoring. Afghanistan Security Watch: The UN says anti-Taliban groups claimed 88 attacks across 21 provinces, warning that apparent stability masks worsening human rights and security risks.

South Korea–Tajikistan Deal: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon agreed to upgrade ties to a “comprehensive partnership,” with Seoul pointing to cooperation in critical minerals, railways, and digital technology as the two sides signed 17 cooperation documents ahead of the first Korea–Central Asia Summit in Seoul. Regional Summit Push: The summit brings leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to set a shared agenda on trade, supply chains, innovation, and connectivity, with a Seoul Declaration expected to frame future projects. Business Linkages: Tajikistan’s TGEM signaled interest in Kyrgyzstan’s major hydropower and infrastructure projects after talks with Kyrgyz investment officials, citing experience from Rogun HPP and CASA-1000. Energy & Investment Framework: South Korea also signed an investment protection agreement with Turkmenistan, aiming to give legal safeguards for Korean investors across sectors like gas, chemicals and fertilizer—an approach likely to matter for regional dealmaking. Tech & Consumer Services: Apple expanded iCloud+ bundles in 100+ countries by adding Apple TV and Apple Arcade at no extra charge, with some markets also getting “Apple Music Select.”

Korea-Central Asia Summit: South Korea is set to host the first leaders’ summit with all five Central Asian states on Sept. 16, upgrading the 2007 forum to a heads-of-state format focused on critical minerals, energy, digital tech and transport, with Seoul pushing a “Seoul Declaration” and business deals expected to follow. Investment & Legal Protection: South Korea signed an investment protection agreement with Turkmenistan, offering national treatment and dispute-settlement rules to support Korean firms in sectors like gas, chemicals and city construction. Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan Projects: Kyrgyzstan’s National Investment Agency met Tajik TGEM to explore TGEM’s role in major hydropower and infrastructure projects, including potential collaboration beyond Tajikistan’s Rogun HPP and CASA-1000 experience. AI Infrastructure Push: Moody’s says AI investment could boost growth across Central Asia, but will require major spending on power, telecoms, water and computing—highlighting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan among the most advanced. Cyber Fraud Alert: Researchers report hundreds of fake government/news websites targeting Uzbekistan and Tajikistan with bogus cash-payment offers to steal personal data and money. Regional Security: SCO-RATS condemned fresh military attacks on Iran and urged de-escalation, with Tajikistan among participating member states.

Korea-Central Asia Summit Push: South Korea is set to host the first leaders’ summit with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on Sept. 16, with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun framing it as a long-term platform for critical minerals, supply chains, AI and defense. Ahead of the summit, Lee Jae-myung held bilateral talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, exchanging 13 agreements spanning high-speed rail, genome/biobank, AI, critical minerals and defense. Regional Industry Link-Up: Seoul also hosted a C5+1 industry ministers’ meeting focused on building integrated industrial complexes, expanding Korean participation in smart infrastructure, and strengthening critical-mineral supply chains. Tajikistan Tech for Soil Protection: Tajikistan is using smart tech with UNICEF help to protect soil and manage environmental risks, including AI mapping of contamination and pesticide impacts on children. Cyber Fraud Alert: Researchers report hundreds of fake government/news websites targeting people in Uzbekistan, Belarus and Tajikistan with bogus cash offers and data theft. AI Investment Outlook: Moody’s says AI could drive growth across Central Asia and the Caucasus, but requires heavy investment in power, telecoms and computing.

AI & Infrastructure Investment: Moody’s says AI rollouts across Central Asia and the Caucasus could boost growth, but will sharply raise demand for electricity networks, telecoms, water resources and computing capacity, with Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan flagged for faster AI-infrastructure progress. Tajikistan-UNICEF Smart Soil Protection: Tajikistan is using smart technology to protect its soil with UNICEF support, tying digital tools to environmental risk management and child-focused climate priorities. South Korea–Central Asia Summit Push: Seoul is hosting the first Korea–Central Asia heads-of-state summit on Sept. 16–17, after a run of bilateral talks; the agenda centers on critical minerals, AI, digital transformation, transport and resilient supply chains, with Tajikistan’s Emomali Rahmon among the leaders attending. Uzbekistan–South Korea Deals: During President Mirziyoyev’s Seoul visit, 13 agreements were signed, including feasibility work for eight high-speed train sets and a national genome/biobank center, plus cooperation on AI, data centers, pharmaceuticals and defense. CSTO Focus on Afghanistan Border Security: Russia-led CSTO drills “Rubezh 2026” (Sept. 12–19) are framed around Afghanistan-linked cross-border threats, with Tajikistan repeatedly calling for more support for its frontier forces. Aral Sea Basin UN Mechanism: Central Asian states advanced the UN Special Program for the Aral Sea Basin, adopting a summary on the format, legal framework, operating mechanisms and financing for the initiative. Labor Migration Watch: Nearly 100,000 Uzbeks returned from Russia (Aug 25–Sep 5), while work-related entries into Russia fell in the first half of the year, pointing to a slowdown in labor migration.

Korea-Central Asia Summit Prep: South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung kicks off a three-day relay of bilateral summits with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan ahead of the inaugural Korea–Central Asia Summit in Seoul on 16 Sep, aiming to turn supply-chain and critical-minerals cooperation into leader-level deals. Supply-Chain & Minerals Push: A Seoul ministerial meeting with the five Central Asian states agreed to expand South Korea’s role in industrial complexes, smart infrastructure and plant modernization, pairing Central Asia’s mineral resources with Korean processing tech and smart factory adoption. Kazakhstan’s Tech Pivot: Kazakhstan’s foreign minister says ties with South Korea should move beyond autos into AI, critical minerals and advanced sectors, with 2025 trade already at $3.17bn. Middle Corridor Outlook: Analysis highlights the Middle Corridor’s growing economic weight as firms seek routes bypassing Russia, with improved banking conditions supporting non-oil lending and diversification in corridor-linked economies. Tajikistan Trade Link: Pakistan’s food security minister met Tajikistan’s ambassador to discuss reviving bilateral trade and expanding agri, food processing, livestock and value-add cooperation ahead of an ECO meeting. CIS Economic Council: CIS states met in Ashgabat and approved programmes to deepen practical economic cooperation, with transport security and digitalization among priorities.

Korea-Central Asia Summit: South Korea will host the first Korea–Central Asia summit in Seoul on Sept. 16, with leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, aiming to boost cooperation on critical minerals, energy, supply-chain diversification, AI/digital tech, climate and water, and to adopt a “Seoul Declaration.” Trade & agriculture ties: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain met Tajik Ambassador Yusuf Sharifzoda to push up bilateral trade and revive cooperation in agriculture, food processing, livestock and farm technology ahead of an ECO meeting in September. Regional economic coordination: The CIS Economic Council held its 111th regular meeting in Ashgabat, approving programmes and concepts to strengthen practical economic cooperation, with transport and digitalization among key themes. Tourism integration: CAREC’s Tourism Working Group met in Tashkent to advance regional tourism initiatives, including upgrading the “Visit Silk Road” portal, deploying AI travel tools and adopting GSTC standards for smoother cross-border travel. Water diplomacy in focus: Turkmenistan hosted a second consultative meeting on implementing a UN special programme for the Aral Sea Basin, with Tajikistan among participating states. IMF debt snapshot: IMF data shows Tajikistan has the region’s largest outstanding IMF loans (111.36m SDR, about $153m), while Uzbekistan is second (73.64m SDR, about $101.2m).

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.