ASEAN Diplomacy in Manila: The Philippines, as ASEAN chair, is hosting a packed foreign ministers’ run-up in Manila (July 19–24), with expected attendance from Russia’s Lavrov, China’s Wang Yi, the US’s Marco Rubio, Australia’s Penny Wong, and others, alongside East Timor’s ASEAN seat. ASEAN Integration Focus: The same ASEAN calendar includes the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, with energy security and regional issues on the agenda. Timor-Leste Financial Reform: Timor-Leste’s National Parliament approved a new General Framework for the Financial System and Banking Activities, expanding the Central Bank’s powers, setting up resolution and deposit insurance funds, and strengthening anti–money laundering and consumer protections. Human Rights Solidarity: FRETILIN urged the immediate release of Sahrawi defender Naâma Asfari and all Sahrawi political prisoners, citing health deterioration and hunger strike conditions. Diplomatic Expansion: Vietnam inaugurated its fully operational embassy office in Dili, framing it as support for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN integration.