Regional Diplomacy & Membership: ASEAN marks its 59th anniversary with a deeper Qatar partnership and the spotlight on Timor-Leste joining as the newest member, expanding the bloc to 11 states. Labour Mobility & Worker Rights: Timor-Leste’s Council of Ministers reviewed Australia’s PALM scheme, aiming to grow Timorese participation to 10,000 by 2028 while tackling ongoing challenges around rights protection and coordination. Security & Education Cooperation: Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste discussed regional election security, with a proposal for Timor-Leste to supply 200 defence personnel for PNG’s 2027 election, plus a dollar-for-dollar scholarship plan for Timorese students. People-to-People Culture: Indonesia’s arts and culture scholarship brings participants including Timor-Leste to promote youth exchange through cultural programs. Tourism & Lusophone Links: CPLP tourism ministers in Dili set up a business and investment forum focused on youth entrepreneurship, women, and MSMEs, with tourism routes and connectivity across Portuguese-speaking countries. Faith & Community Links: A Timor-Leste mission story highlights ongoing Catholic ministry work and relationship-building through prayer and local leadership.