Presidential Transition: São Tomé and Príncipe’s Constitutional Court has officially declared incumbent President Carlos Vila Nova president-elect after certifying the July 19 vote, with Vila Nova winning in the first round on 31,613 votes (55.88% of valid ballots) versus Nito d’Abreu’s 23,457 (41.46%), following provisional results released on July 20. International Diplomacy: Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Vila Nova, saying China–São Tomé and Príncipe ties are building momentum and pledging to work with him to advance the Beijing FOCAC outcomes and deepen the strategic partnership. Heritage & Governance: UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee concluded its 48th session in Busan by inscribing 25 new sites worldwide, bringing the total to 1,273; crucially for this country, the Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe were added, marking a first World Heritage listing for São Tomé and Príncipe. Regional Security & Justice: Separate reporting from Nigeria highlights calls for faster judicial reforms to speed prosecution of crude oil theft suspects, after the Nigerian Navy arrested 12 crew members on a São Tomé and Príncipe-flagged tanker (MT FILIA) allegedly carrying about 650 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil worth over N660 million.