This article is about Timor-Leste’s historic admission into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its 11th Member State, marking a new era of unity and cooperation in Southeast Asia. The Signing of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste took place during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October 2025, attended by ASEAN leaders and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. The event symbolized the fulfillment of Timor-Leste’s decade-long pursuit of regional integration since its formal application in 2011.

The article explores Libya’s historic relaunch of its oil and gas exploration sector through the Licensing Round 2025, the first in over 17 years. Led by the National Oil Corporation (NOC), the round offers 22 exploration blocks—11 onshore and 11 offshore—across key basins such as Sirte, Murzuq, and Ghadames. It introduces a new Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) model that boosts contractor returns and shortens payback periods, making Libya more attractive to global investors. Major international oil companies, including BP, Eni, Shell, TotalEnergies, Chevron, and QatarEnergy, have qualified to participate. The NOC promoted the round through a global roadshow in Houston, London, and Istanbul, engaging over 150 companies and highlighting Libya’s plans to raise production from 1.4 to 2 million barrels per day. The article emphasizes that Libya, with vast untapped reserves and a strategic position linking Africa to Europe, is emerging as a high-reward frontier for exploration and investment. The upcoming Libya–Africa International Gas Forum 2025 in Tripoli will serve as the key platform for shaping the next phase of the country’s energy growth.

Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has affirmed that AOW:Energy 2025 positions Ghana as a regional hub for dialogue, investment, and cross-border collaboration in the energy sector.

President John Dramani Mahama officially inaugurated AOW:Energy 2025 in Accra

AOW:Energy 2025 opened with a high-level gala at the Presidency of Ghana, bringing together over 450 government, industry, and investment leaders.

Morocco has discovered a significant, high-grade gold deposit in Guelmim, with estimated reserves of 3-5 million ounces. This find could transform Morocco into a major gold producer in Africa, boosting its economy and attracting investment.

5 August 2025, London (The Energy Circle) - A landmark discovery in Brazil’s Santos Basin could reshape BP’s upstream strategy and energize offshore exploration across the region.

Argentina eyes gas exports to Chile and the Pacific as Vaca Muerta remains 94% untapped. Experts call for policy clarity and infrastructure to unlock regional impact.

Argentina's oil and gas output hits a 15-year high in 2025, driven by Vaca Muerta shale. Record levels set the stage for a new export-driven energy model.

Argentina’s YPF and Italy’s ENI have signed a landmark LNG export agreement, leveraging Vaca Muerta’s vast gas reserves. The deal includes the deployment of two of the world’s largest LNG vessels, enabling large-scale exports to Europe. This partnership marks a major step in Argentina’s energy internationalisation and global LNG positioning.

YPF and Pluspetrol have expanded gas processing capacity by 20% at La Calera in Vaca Muerta, Argentina’s third-largest unconventional gas field. The plant now handles 14.5 million m³/day, supporting winter demand and energy security. Backed by US$2.2B in investment, the project strengthens Argentina’s export-ready gas infrastructure.