Energy Outlook: At the close of OGT 2026 in Ashgabat, officials forecast annual output of about 80 billion cubic meters of gas and 8 million tons of oil in 2026 and 2027. Turkmenistan is preparing for possible gas exports to Afghanistan via TAPI and remains interested in a Trans-Caspian route. New Deals: Turkmennebit and Turkmengaz signed agreements covering Caspian cooperation with China’s CNOOC, oil and gas services with Malaysia, and pipe purchases from Chinese, Kazakh and Uzbek firms. Regional Links: Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and his Georgian counterpart discussed trade and transport ties in Batumi, including making better use of transit corridors. Food Security: A new Dashoguz plant will process up to 60,000 tons of cottonseed annually to produce vegetable oil. Education: Four Oguz Han University students began a year-long program at Japan’s University of Tsukuba, studying fields including AI and electronics. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky reported a BlackX malware campaign targeting diplomatic organizations in Turkmenistan and two neighboring countries; it said its products prevented an attempted compromise.