C5+1 Trade & Transport: Ashgabat hosted a U.S.-Central Asia C5+1 Secretariat meeting focused on expanding cooperation in critical minerals, trade and transport, with plans for upcoming events and tighter links between agencies and experts. Public Health & Industry Readiness: A Turkmenistan working group met in Ashgabat to draft national guidance for antimicrobial resistance epidemiological surveillance, aiming to strengthen roles across health institutions. Border Health Systems: IOM ran a two-day training in Ashgabat on early detection of health risks at border crossing points, improving inter-agency information exchange and continuity of essential services for migrants and local communities. Transport & Logistics Pressure: The shrinking Caspian Sea is already cutting Middle Corridor shipping capacity, forcing lower cargo loads and raising dredging and port upgrade costs. Digital Corridor Pilot: Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan completed a cross-Caspian eTIR customs pilot, moving a shipment using one electronic transit process instead of repeated paper stamps. Transport Diplomacy Leadership: Turkmenistan was elected next chair of the UN Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, prioritizing energy and transport connectivity under the Awaza Programme of Action. Energy & Gas Flows: Gazprom said gas supplies to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are up nearly 70% in 2026, with Uzbekistan increasingly relying on Russian and Turkmen volumes. Offshore Engineering: ABS issued Basic Design Review certification to Hanwha Ocean for a standardized FPSO design for deepwater markets in South America and West Africa. Agribusiness Output: A Balkanabat private producer “Altyn nur zamany” is scaling fruit and vegetable processing, including jams and juices, using modern greenhouse and equipment. Diplomatic Links: New EU and France ambassadors presented credentials in Ashgabat, with both sides pointing to cooperation in trade, energy, transport and logistics.