Caspian Focus: Turkmenistan marked Caspian Sea Day on 12 August with a presidential address at a scientific conference on protecting the Caspian ecosystem, stressing the sea’s role in regional trade and cooperation and recalling major Ashgabat-led milestones. Health, Education & Sport Expo: Ashgabat will host an international exhibition and scientific conference on healthcare, education and sport from 10–12 October 2026, aiming to bring foreign experts, companies and partners for technology, knowledge exchange and cooperation. Transport & Logistics: The ITTC 2026 forum and expo will run in Ashgabat from 24–26 November, positioning the city as a hub for discussions on transport and transit corridors, multimodal logistics and digitalization, with a focus on the Middle Corridor and Caspian routes. Energy Rules Tightened: Turkmenistan cut the diesel allowance for vehicles leaving the country from 300 to 150 liters and raised the fee for extra fuel, citing ongoing fuel shortage pressures. Diplomatic Outreach: A meeting at Turkmenistan’s foreign ministry with Saudi Arabia’s ambassador reviewed prospects for Turkmen-Saudi relations, trade ties and cooperation in international organizations. Regional Connectivity: Iran proposed deeper transport links by integrating Turkmenbashi port capabilities with Iranian Caspian ports to boost multimodal trade.