ASEAN & Diplomacy: East Timor President José Ramos-Horta told Japan’s Future of Asia forum that smaller, fragile economies “want to look up” to major powers for stability, urging prudent leadership amid wars and uncertainty. Defense Cooperation: New Zealand and Timor-Leste signed an updated defence cooperation arrangement, covering training, education, capacity building, humanitarian aid, disaster relief and maritime security. Blue Economy & Maritime: Timor-Leste marked National Sea Day and launched a Blue Economy website, pushing ocean-focused development priorities. Renewables & Climate Risk: A Zurich Insurance report warns most ASEAN renewable energy sites face severe climate exposure by 2030, with resilience spending potentially cutting losses—an issue Timor-Leste is watching as the region scales clean power. Regional Trade Talks: Indonesia’s BNPP and Malaka lawmakers discussed a border free trade zone with Timor-Leste to boost jobs and cross-border business, but said implementation needs studies and bilateral agreements. AI for Farming: A hackathon in Bangkok brought Timor-Leste students into AI projects aimed at solving real agricultural challenges, from farm data use to equipment and connectivity limits. Public Health Note: While not Timor-Leste-focused, the week’s coverage also highlighted dengue declines in Davao City, underscoring the value of mosquito control programs.