Pacific Health Aid: Australia says its COVID-19 vaccine donations to Pacific nations topped 1 million doses, including about 278,000 for Timor-Leste, as Fiji races to inoculate amid a Delta outbreak and Canberra pushes faster bilateral delivery beyond COVAX. ASEAN Diplomacy: East Timor President José Ramos-Horta used Japan’s “Future of Asia” forum to warn that smaller, fragile economies “want to look up” to major powers for stability, while Timor-Leste’s leaders also featured in the ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi, underscoring ASEAN unity and resilience. Defence Cooperation: New Zealand and Timor-Leste signed an updated Defence Cooperation Arrangement, refreshing priorities from training and maritime security to humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Infrastructure & Industry Links: At the 17th IIICF in Macao, Timor-Leste’s petroleum minister said the country is pursuing South Coast projects (including a Suai supply base and highway) and is seeking connections with Chinese firms. Energy & Climate Policy: A Global Peace Index 2026 roundup places Timor-Leste among Asia-Pacific’s more peaceful countries, while a separate regional report flags climate risk to renewable energy across ASEAN—an issue Timor-Leste will likely watch as it integrates further.