Offshore Energy & Engineering: Dutch surveyor Fugro won a contract for offshore site characterization surveys supporting Timor-Leste’s Greater Sunrise and Bayu Undan developments, using geophysical, seismic and autonomous underwater vehicle work in deepwater over 3,000m, with planning and mobilization starting Q3 2026 and offshore operations in Q4 for about three months. Food Security & Agriculture: Vietnam’s chargé d’affaires met Timor-Leste’s deputy prime minister in Dili to deepen cooperation on food security, fisheries, rural development and training, noting Timor-Leste meets only about 40% of domestic food demand and discussing Vietnam’s role in supplying rice while expanding support for local production. Labour & Agribusiness Links: New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme opened to Timor-Leste this year, with thousands applying and workers expected to fill orchard and vineyard labour needs as the programme expands. Maritime Trade Resilience: Japan plans high-precision nautical charts for key straits across the region, including the Ombai Strait and the Surigao and Balabac Straits, with partnership including Timor-Leste to publish updated navigation information for safer shipping. Regional Diplomacy: ASEAN foreign ministers’ meetings in Manila draw major partners including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, China’s Wang Yi and Russia’s Lavrov, with energy security and trade disruption risks on the agenda. Cybercrime Spillover: A UNODC report warns Asia-Pacific scam losses hit at least $88bn in 2025, with gangs relocating operations including to Timor-Leste as enforcement pressure grows.