Tashkent–Belgrade Mobility Deal: Uzbekistan and Serbia signed an agreement to boost mobility and labor migration, alongside a wider strategic partnership covering trade, transport, energy, digitalisation, customs, and even film co-production—plus a 2026–2028 culture cooperation programme. Terror Alert Ahead of Summit: South Korea plans to raise its terror alert levels as the first Korea–Central Asia summit approaches, with stronger immigration checks and patrols in Seoul and nationwide. Issyk-Kul Games Start: Kyrgyzstan kicked off the International Issyk-Kul Games on the lakeshore, featuring 21 sports and athletes from Uzbekistan and beyond, running through Sept. 12. Nomadic Culture on Stage: At Kyrgyzstan’s World Nomad Games, traditional music and ethnofestivals wrapped with awards for storytelling, instrumental and vocal-instrumental performances—highlighting regional heritage and cross-border cultural ties. Contemporary Arts in Tashkent: Uzbekistan’s Centre for Contemporary Arts Tashkent opened in a preserved 1912 industrial building, with Qatar Museums backing exhibitions and residencies to plug the new hub into global museum networks. Chess Olympiad Countdown: Samarkand is preparing for the 46th Chess Olympiad (Sept. 15–27) with a record 398 teams expected, blending sport with Silk Road cultural diplomacy.