UN Diplomacy in Ashgabat: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met the newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator Xiaojun Grace Wang, with cooperation set around four priorities: people-first development, innovation and climate tech, stronger data systems for SDG monitoring, and wider UN support for national goals. Regional Security & Prevention: Turkmenistan’s MFA also met the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, stressing peace-building, confidence among neighbors, and upcoming joint events. Human Rights Watch Alarm: HRW urged Turkey to intensify its investigation into the disappearance of Turkmen activists Alisher Sakhatov and Abdulla Orusov, missing for a year after deportation paperwork—families still have no answers. Trade & Transit via Turkmenistan: A direct rail cargo route from Beijing to Afghanistan completed transit through Turkmenistan and Iran, cutting delivery times and costs and boosting the Haf-Herat corridor toward commercial operations. Energy Pressure: Rising fuel and LPG prices are squeezing households in the region, with Afghanistan reporting sharp recent increases and official price controls. Education & Science: Turkmen agricultural university lecturers published new specialized textbooks, while Turkmen schoolchildren won four medals at the International Chemistry Olympiad in Tashkent. Culture & Heritage: Turkmen artists were honored for performances at a Central Asia–Korea Silk Road festival ahead of the September summit, and the Akhal-Teke horse continues to be promoted as a national symbol.