SCO Summit in Bishkek: China, Russia, India, Iran and other SCO leaders met under the “SCO at 25” theme, with security, trade, energy and connectivity on the agenda as the bloc marks its 25th anniversary and discusses regional stability and Afghanistan. Afghanistan Governance: SCO leaders backed an inclusive Afghan government with broad ethnic and political participation, while reiterating support for a neutral, terrorism-free Afghanistan. Turkmenistan Methane Watch: UN satellite monitoring flagged Turkmenistan as a major methane hotspot, issuing 192 alerts over the past year; some major leaks were reported stopped after repairs, with new EU gas rules tying market access to methane footprints. Turkmenistan–Japan Push: Japan’s FM Toshimitsu Motegi visited Ashgabat, signaling continued interest in expanding ties; Japan also discussed potential circular economy and waste-recycling cooperation. ECO Trade Zones: Turkmenistan’s initiative for joint trade zones in the ECO region advanced, with a proposed site designated in Iran’s Incheh Borun Free Trade and Industrial Zone. Turkmenistan Trade Flows: Turkmenistan’s SCRMET auctions recorded $7.274m in foreign-currency sales (cottonseed oil, wheat flour, textiles and raw silk), while domestic buyers purchased cotton yarn worth 8.212m manats. Turkiye–OTS Trade: Türkiye reported OTS trade hitting $10.1bn in Jan–Jul 2026 (+6.6% y/y), with Turkmenistan listed among observer-country partners.