ASEAN Tech & Trade: The 23rd China-ASEAN Expo opened in Nanning (Sept 17–21), with Timor-Leste debuting as a full ASEAN co-organizer and all 11 members represented, while organizers push CAFTA 3.0 opportunities and an AI-focused exhibition area. Digital Payments: Timor-Leste’s central bank signed a MoU with Cambodia’s National Bank to boost cross-border digital payments, financial innovation, and research/training, including support for local-currency settlement. Health Systems in Dili: WHO South-East Asia member states adopted the Dili Declaration on Health Equity, backing stronger access to medical devices, diagnostics and assistive technologies, plus renewed action on TB and wider digital health and AI collaboration. TB & Medical Access: The WHO region also committed to closing TB gaps with earlier detection, wider prevention and treatment, and financial protection—alongside steps to improve equitable access to quality-assured medical devices. Energy & Investment Linkages: Timor-Leste’s commerce minister used the Belt and Road Summit to argue ASEAN integration should build capacity and attract quality investment, highlighting e-commerce and digital trade to overcome market and geography limits.