Turkmen-Japan Economic Push: Turkmenistan’s FM Rashid Meredov met Japan’s State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kenji Yamada, focusing on expanding trade and business ties and bringing Japanese tech into energy, industry, transport and chemicals, with added emphasis on digitalization and a circular economy. CIS Chairmanship Momentum: In Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s FM met CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev as CIS members prepared October high-level meetings in Avaza and discussed practical cooperation priorities under Turkmenistan’s 2026 CIS chairmanship. Regional Security & Trade: CIS Economic Council talks in Ashgabat backed funding for a joint air defense system starting in 2027 and approved a 2026–2030 transport security action plan, alongside steps to reduce trade barriers. Korea-Central Asia Summit: South Korea will host the first Korea-Central Asia Summit in Seoul on Sept. 16, with Turkmenistan among the five leaders, aiming to deepen cooperation on critical minerals, energy and supply chains under a “Seoul Declaration.” Turkmen Expo Abroad: “Turkmen Expo” will organize Turkmenistan’s national pavilion at Poland’s FAST TEXTILE 2026 (Nov. 17–19), linking local manufacturers with foreign buyers and partners. Securities Market Skills: UNDP and Turkmenistan’s finance and economy ministry ran a professional course with Ashgabat Stock Exchange staff on securities market regulation, investor protection and market integrity. IMF Snapshot: Uzbekistan reported $101.2m in outstanding IMF loans (73.64m SDRs); Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan were not listed as having outstanding IMF obligations.