ASEAN and tourism push: Timor-Leste has broken ground on a new International Convention Centre in Dili’s old port precinct, aimed at boosting the events and tourism sector ahead of the country’s 2029 ASEAN Chairmanship, with facilities including conference halls, exhibition space, and leisure attractions. State budget execution: The Council of Ministers reviewed 2026 budget performance, reporting execution at about 30% as of May 26 (around US$736 million spent from a US$2.445 billion General State Budget). Academics and globalization: President José Ramos-Horta urged Timorese universities and researchers to prepare for globalization and free trade, stressing skills like AI/data literacy, English, and stronger international academic links. Mining and exploration: Tivan (ASX:TVN) reported strong initial stream sediment assay results from its Turiscai project in Timor-Leste, including up to 434 ppm copper and 0.801 ppm gold, with work moving to prospect-scale exploration. Regional cooperation: An ASEAN-related update notes progress on Timor-Leste’s accession process to ASEAN economic agreements, discussed at an Economic Officers meeting.