ASEAN and diplomacy: East Timor President José Ramos-Horta told the “Future of Asia” conference that smaller, fragile economies like Timor-Leste often “want to look up” to major powers, urging China, the US and Japan to act as prudent leaders that can bring stability. Regional integration push: Timor-Leste’s leaders continued to use ASEAN-linked forums to deepen ties with Vietnam, with Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão wrapping up a Vietnam visit that included meetings with top Vietnamese officials and renewed focus on Timor-Leste’s full and effective participation in ASEAN. Defence cooperation: New Zealand and Timor-Leste signed an updated defence cooperation arrangement covering training, education, capacity building, humanitarian and disaster relief, and maritime security. Blue economy and infrastructure links: Timor-Leste’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, highlighted plans under the South Coast development strategy, including a Suai supply base and highway, and said discussions with Chinese firms are underway. Climate risk for energy: A regional report warns that most ASEAN renewable energy sites face severe climate exposure by 2030, with Timor-Leste excluded from the assessment.