Council of Ministers Update: In Dili, the Council of Ministers met on Sept. 2 and heard a review of how rising heavy-equipment rental and fuel costs are affecting highway and other infrastructure execution, with possible updates to reference prices flagged. It also received a presentation on the 2027–2030 Medium-Term Plan, the final phase of the 2011–2030 Strategic Development Plan, aimed at accelerating national economic and social development. UAE–Timor-Leste Cooperation: The UAE’s Minister of State Noura Al Kaabi met President José Ramos-Horta and Timor-Leste officials to push cooperation on digitising government services, plus water management, food security, and investment, with talks on finalising economic agreements. ASEAN Integration Talk: In a wide-ranging interview, President José Ramos-Horta discussed ASEAN’s legal and institutional requirements for new members, stressing the need to align domestic laws with treaty obligations. Regional Climate Diplomacy (Timor-Leste named): Australia’s pre-COP31 push in Fiji and Tuvalu is drawing scrutiny over turnout and cost, but Fiji’s foreign minister says leaders from Timor-Leste and others have confirmed attendance, while ministers from Germany, Mexico, and South Korea are also set to attend. Digital Verification Link: Cambodia’s digital verification platform is being exported to Timor-Leste, as the region moves toward more centralised identity systems amid fraud concerns.