Digital Government & Anti-Fraud: Timor-Leste officially launched verify.gov.tl in Dili on June 1, a Cambodian-supported portal to verify driver’s licences and other transport documents online, aiming to cut document fraud and reduce licence issuance costs. ASEAN Diplomacy: President José Ramos-Horta told ERIA in Jakarta that forgiveness and dialogue are the keys to regional stability, highlighting Timor-Leste’s reconciliation success with Indonesia. ASEAN Membership Impact: Ramos-Horta also said full ASEAN membership is already speeding up Timor-Leste’s infrastructure and investment, with legal alignment work targeted to be finished before 2029. Regional Security Talk: At the Shangri-La Dialogue’s close in Singapore, participants stressed ASEAN centrality and dialogue amid bloc-based security concerns, while Japan’s defence posture shift drew scrutiny. Maritime Law in Focus: Cambodia formally notified Thailand and the UN to begin compulsory UNCLOS conciliation over overlapping maritime claims after Thailand ended a 25-year framework. Local Development: Timor-Leste’s digital push and ASEAN readiness come alongside practical nation-building themes, as the region watches how governance choices translate into services and jobs.