Regional Energy & Industry: The TAPI gas pipeline has reached the outskirts of Herat city, with plans to extend supply into the city and the provincial industrial park, supporting regional trade and industrial activity. Agriculture & Livestock Development: Afghanistan’s agriculture ministry met UNDP’s new representative, discussing expanded cooperation in farming, irrigation, livestock and better marketing for agricultural products. Cross-Border Security Impacting Trade: Pakistan carried out air strikes on Kunar and Helmand near the Afghan border, with conflicting casualty claims from both sides—another reminder of how instability can disrupt livelihoods and supply routes. Mining & Jobs Risk: A gold mine collapse in northern Afghanistan trapped miners, underlining the urgent need for safer extraction and faster rescue capacity. Logistics Innovation: FPT and ZEBOX launched a three-year partnership to build AI solutions for shipping, ports and logistics, aiming to improve operations and clean energy use. Trade Connectivity Planning: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the UAE agreed to study a CASA railway corridor through Afghanistan to Pakistan’s seaports, targeting major freight volumes. Policy & Markets: UNDP and Afghan officials again flagged market access as a key bottleneck for farmers—turning “production” into “income” remains the core industrial challenge.