Turkmenistan–UN diplomacy: Ashgabat laid out its priorities for the 81st UN General Assembly, stressing restoring trust, preventive diplomacy, transport connectivity, depoliticized energy dialogue, climate and humanitarian cooperation, and a responsible approach to new technologies including AI. Cotton forced-labor pressure: Reports say public employees in Turkmenistan are paying monthly fees (20–380 manats) to avoid being sent to cotton fields, with “voluntary” paperwork and disciplinary threats used to enforce quotas. WTO and global trade: The MFA updated diplomats on Turkmenistan’s WTO accession push, noting observer status since 2020 and a 2026 acceleration of preparations, including plans for a national negotiating group and a designated chairing state. Customs modernization: More than 30 customs specialists trained in Ashgabat on advanced risk management for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, including pre-arrival data analysis and post-clearance audits. Energy cooperation: Afghanistan’s power utility reported progress on the 500-kilovolt Turkmenistan-linked transmission project under TAPI talks, aimed at boosting electricity supplies. Regional culture and ties: Turkmenistan joined the wider Turkic cultural push as the Turkic Union of Composers was established in Baku under the Baku Declaration.