ASEAN-CAEXPO Trade Boost: The 23rd China-ASEAN Expo opened in Nanning, Guangxi, with Timor-Leste attending as a full ASEAN member and co-host, as organisers push CAFTA 3.0 deals and an “AI Marketplace” featuring hundreds of AI products. Energy Deal for Timor-Leste: Ashurst Perkins Coie backed IFC, ADB and JICA on Timor-Leste’s first utility-scale solar plus battery storage project—73.7MW solar and 80.2MWh storage—aimed at cutting diesel reliance. Regional Security & Humanitarian Law: Timor-Leste officially signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions accession declaration in Vientiane, strengthening global disarmament efforts. Sports With a Timor-Leste Link: The Philippines’ Mindanao Youth Games (2027) will include Timor-Leste as a guest team, with world-class venues in Lanao del Norte. Diplomacy Watch: Malaysia signalled it may host Myanmar’s military-appointed president to speed refugee returns, while ASEAN-Qatar ties continue to expand.