Digital Government: Timor-Leste officially launched verify.gov.tl in Dili, a national portal to verify government documents using Cambodia’s verify.gov model and QR-based authenticity checks, marking a milestone under a 2025 digital transformation cooperation deal. ASEAN Momentum: President José Ramos-Horta said full ASEAN membership is already speeding up infrastructure and investment—hotels, conference venues, road expansion and urban renewal—while Timor-Leste prepares to align laws with ASEAN rules ahead of its 2029 rotating chair role. Regional Security Debate: At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Ramos-Horta pushed back on the idea that hardware matters most, arguing prevention and dialogue are key to peace. Maritime Diplomacy: Cambodia moved to start compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS in its maritime dispute with Thailand after Thailand terminated a 2001 hydrocarbon MoU, citing international law and pointing to Timor-Leste–Australia’s 2018 maritime settlement as a reference point. Energy & Investment Pipeline: Finder Energy reported progress on the KTJ oil fields in the Timor Sea, submitting its environmental impact statement and field development plan as approvals continue.