ASEAN Anniversary and Timor-Leste’s Inclusion: ASEAN marked its 59th anniversary with repeated calls for unity and resilience as the bloc now includes Timor-Leste as its 11th member, with leaders stressing that ASEAN’s strength depends on closing ranks and delivering real benefits for the region’s nearly 700 million people. Regional Diplomacy: ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said the bloc must keep its central role as geopolitical and economic shocks ripple across borders, while Laos also reaffirmed commitment to ASEAN cooperation and integration. Connectivity Push for Timor-Leste and the Pacific: Australia announced the completion of a major undersea cable project, saying all Pacific Islands Forum members are now connected to global networks for the first time, with Australia also pointing to support for cable links including Timor-Leste. Digital Governance in Dili: Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister signed an order creating an interministerial committee on cybersecurity and the digitalisation of state services, tasked with coordinating public policy across key agencies. Energy and Investment Talks: In Dili, a senior government minister met Woodside’s executive vice president to discuss the Greater Sunrise project and how cooperation could support Timor-Leste’s long-term economic development.