Minerals & Industry: Tajikistan says it has officially identified and registered 259 mineral deposits after approving 259 exploration reports, with the national geology program now 96.4% implemented—aimed at expanding strategic resources for sectors like metallurgy. Energy Crunch: Tajikistan is also cutting electricity exports and building water reserves ahead of winter after last year’s seasonal shortages, as regional fuel and power pressures keep returning. Civil Society Under Pressure: A new IPHR snapshot warns Tajikistan’s civil society and independent media face growing constraints in practice—intimidation, politically motivated prosecutions, self-censorship, and limited accountability for 2021–2022 GBAO abuses. Regional Security & Borders: Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have started installing border pillars along their shared frontier, marking the final stage of a long-running delimitation process. US-Tajikistan Corridor Politics: The Guardian reports Konstantin Sokolov will chair the U.S. State Department’s TRIPP+ fund (over $200m) for a Central Asia trade corridor spanning transport, energy infrastructure, and critical minerals. Gender Policy: Tajikistan is drafting a 2027–2036 gender equality strategy with UNICEF support, targeting social norms and expanding women’s economic and public participation. Media & Tech: A Central Asia “Connect for Peace Festival 2026” brought journalists together to discuss AI in newsrooms, disinformation, and digital safety.