Labour Mobility: Australia’s PALM scheme has confirmed 10 eligible countries for legal work placements, including Timor-Leste, aiming to plug labour shortages via official labour-sending channels. Offshore Energy Contracts: Fugro won new Timor-Leste Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources awards for Greater Sunrise TLNG and Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway planning—adding heavy geotechnical and metocean surveys starting Q1 2027 after earlier geophysics. Diplomacy & Trade Links: Timor-Leste and Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations via a joint communiqué, with cooperation flagged across trade, education, tourism and agriculture. ASEAN Integration: Timor-Leste is preparing 60 legal instruments to implement ASEAN commitments, including trade facilitation, competition and customs reforms, while also reviewing RCEP requirements for domestic industry impact. Women & Local Production: The government is pushing women-led enterprises to move from small-scale trading into local processing and production, targeting higher value and less import reliance. Regional Business & Skills: SPE Western Australia and Australian Energy Producers ran an energy education seminar at UNTL’s Hera Engineering Campus, drawing 300+ students in Dili. UN Engagement: President José Ramos-Horta backed India’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat and reiterated Timor-Leste’s positions on major global issues.