Mandatory Mediation in Kyrgyzstan: From Jan 1, 2026, Kyrgyz citizens will have to meet a mediator before filing a lawsuit, with training and “conflict coaching” for mediators ramping up. CIS Volunteer Forum in Astana: Azerbaijan’s Union of Volunteer Organizations joined the two-day CIS forum on volunteering for sustainable development, with sessions touching environment-related community work and youth/corporate volunteering. Archaeology Digital Atlas: Turkic-world researchers are pushing a shared digital infrastructure and electronic atlas to study archaeological heritage across today’s borders as one connected historical space. Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan Alliance: President Ilham Aliyev says ties with Uzbekistan have reached an “alliance” level, with fast-growing trade and cooperation framed as a wider Eurasian connectivity push. Karabakh Development Shift: Reconstruction is increasingly moving toward industrial, logistics and investment zones in Aghdam and Jabrayil, using renewables and digital mapping approaches for longer-term planning. SOCAR Innovation Call: SOCAR opened applications for its WIN Open Innovation Program, including HSE and low-carbon/energy-transition pilots with up to $20,000 testing support. UK–Azerbaijan Partnership: New UK Ambassador Duncan Norman highlighted Azerbaijan as a regional hub for transport, infrastructure, finance and data, while stressing support for energy transition and education links.