ASEAN 59th Anniversary: ASEAN marked its 59th birthday in Jakarta with calls for unity and resilience as the bloc faces geopolitical, economic and climate pressures, and highlighted Timor-Leste’s accession as a new step toward a more inclusive community. Timor-Leste in the spotlight: The anniversary theme “Navigating Our Future Together” repeatedly pointed to Timor-Leste’s first year in ASEAN, while regional partners also tied cooperation to practical benefits like jobs, food security and connectivity. Regional connectivity push: Australia says it has helped deliver more than 10,300km of undersea cables so every Pacific Islands Forum member is now connected, including support for Timor-Leste. Human rights campaign: Timor-Leste is among countries backing proposals to recognize “gender apartheid” as an international crime, with negotiations expected to start in 2028. Culture on the move: The ASEAN Film Festival 2026 in Hong Kong runs from Aug 20, featuring Timor-Leste for the first time with short films on intangible musical heritage. Sports (regional): Singapore booked ASEAN Championship semi-finals after a 1-1 draw with Indonesia, setting up a last-four clash.