BRICS Summit Watch: India’s 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit opens in New Delhi on Sept. 12–13 with trade, finance, cross-border payments, energy and “Global South” priorities in focus, as leaders including Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian gather under heightened Middle East tensions. Local-Currency Push: Pezeshkian urged BRICS to shift toward national currencies and expand New Development Bank financing for infrastructure, while India’s Piyush Goyal called for linking payment systems and expanding local-currency trade. Development Finance Pitch: Putin proposed an NDB-based investment platform to mobilize private capital for BRICS projects in trade, logistics and technology, stressing it is “not against anyone.” Uzbekistan IMF Snapshot: Uzbekistan’s outstanding IMF loans reached 73.64 million SDRs (about $101.2m), placing it second in Central Asia, tied to COVID-19 emergency financing. Reserves Update: Uzbekistan’s international reserves rose above $72bn, with gold holdings increasing sharply. Customs & Security: Uzbekistan hosted the WCO Global Canine Forum and highlighted customs modernization, while authorities discussed expanding bodyguard-style security services for foreign tourists. Alphabet Reform: Uzbekistan’s Senate approved Latin alphabet changes to standardize letters and improve digital usability. Belt and Road Results: Hong Kong’s 11th Belt and Road Summit concluded with over $3.1bn in MOUs and deals, featuring Uzbekistan’s participation.