SCO Spotlight: Uzbekistan is pushing its priorities inside the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as the bloc marks 25 years, with focus on security, trade, industry, culture and regional integration. Rail Connectivity: Work on the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan corridor keeps moving—Manas’ longest bridge (1,017.8m) is nearing completion, and the “Kosh-Dobo Northern No. 2” tunnel was finished in 87 days; a new Manas station (“Jalal-Abad South”) is planned to be completed by end-2027 with real-time train control. Worker Safety Tech: Tunnel crews are using helmet GPS tracking plus continuous monitoring and emergency alert buttons to manage underground risks during construction. AI Policy Clash: A US push to limit Central Asian access to advanced AI know-how is meeting resistance, while Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan explore science-focused AI cooperation. Islamic Tech & Media: Tashkent’s Islamic Civilization media forum highlighted using AI for digital preservation of manuscripts and heritage, while warning about misinformation and fake content. Green Drylands: Uzbekistan, China and Mongolia discussed green technologies for pasture restoration and desertification control under UNCCD COP17. Finance Innovation: Uzbekistan is advancing Islamic finance and cross-border payment cooperation, including a new MoU with Cambodia’s central bank. Textile Push: Tashkent will host CAITME 2026 and Global Textile Days, bringing advanced textile machinery makers to boost productivity and tech adoption.