AGP Executive Report

Health Push: HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh urged urgent, sustained action to tackle avoidable sight loss, arguing the “value of vision” is both a moral and economic case. Regional Climate Talks: OECS ministers will meet in Dominica May 27–28 for COM:ES 13 on environmental sustainability and resilience, building on the OECS roadmap to 2030. Tourism Shift: Island Routes says Caribbean travel is moving toward luxury, personalization and “do it your way” experiences, not fixed group tours. Local Governance: Antigua and Barbuda’s new Senate is taking shape after 16 of 17 senators were sworn in, with the Barbuda Council seat still pending. Crime & Safety: Three people were charged after Red Hill police seized a firearm, ammunition and cannabis during coordinated operations. Tourism Momentum: Antigua and Barbuda wrapped up CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026, highlighting visitor growth, airlift and cruise expansion. Energy Plans: PM Gaston Browne says talks are underway with St Kitts and Nevis and the EU on geothermal power to cut electricity costs. Sports Tickets: CPL 2026 tickets for Antigua and other host islands go on sale May 22, with a 48-hour Visa priority window starting May 20.

Tourism Trade Momentum: Antigua and Barbuda wrapped up the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026 at the American University of Antigua, using the event to pull in global travel buyers and media and keep the destination’s momentum going. Luxury Expansion: HQ Hotels & Residences by sbe says it will open HQ Cas En Bas Resort & Residences in Saint Lucia in November 2026, a $130m project with 178 keys and up to 300 jobs, adding major dining and lifestyle venues. Sports & Tickets: CPL 2026 match tickets for Antigua and other host islands go on sale May 22, with Visa cardholders getting a 48-hour priority purchase window starting May 20. Energy Talks: PM Gaston Browne says discussions are underway with St Kitts and Nevis and the EU on geothermal power—buying Nevis-generated electricity and transmitting it to Antigua via a subsea cable. Public Safety: Police charged three people after Red Hill operations seized a Ruger .380 pistol, ammunition and cannabis. Consumer Safety Push: Prices and Consumer Affairs stressed product safety is shared by regulators, retailers and shoppers.

Consumer Safety Push: Prices and Consumer Affairs Director Orrin Steele says safe goods are a shared job—regulators check imports and labelling, businesses must ensure products are fit, and shoppers should buy items with clear information. Police Crackdown: Three people were charged after Red Hill operations turned up a Ruger .380 pistol, ammunition and cannabis, with additional charges for larger quantities and intent to transfer. Sports & Jobs: CPL and UWI are relaunching the 2026 Sports Marketing internship (21 students, July–September) with match experience across seven host countries. CPL Ticketing: Tickets for Antigua, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis and Saint Lucia go on sale May 22, with a May 20–21 Visa priority window. Energy Talks: PM Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda is in talks with St Kitts and Nevis and the EU on geothermal power—buying Nevis-generated electricity via a subsea cable. Tourism Infrastructure: Antigua Cruise Port is advancing waterfront access ramps, parking and commercial works to better connect Heritage Quay, Redcliffe Quay and St John’s.

Tourism Momentum: Antigua Cruise Port is pushing ahead with its Waterfront Boardwalk expansion—new access ramps, improved public pathways, expanded parking, and underground infrastructure—aimed at better movement between Heritage Quay, Redcliffe Quay and the upland development. Language & Skills Push: Cabinet has approved Spanish as Antigua and Barbuda’s official second language, with curriculum restructuring from pre-school through secondary school to make Spanish a core subject. Regional Climate Pressure: PM Gaston Browne is calling for a fully funded Loss and Damage mechanism so Caribbean states can recover after disasters without sinking deeper into debt. Education & Workforce: The CPL and UWI are opening applications for the 2026 Internship Programme, placing 21 students into tournament marketing roles across seven host nations, including Antigua and Barbuda. Earthquake Aftermath: A recent 6.1 quake still has businesses assessing damage, with residents reporting shelves and goods disrupted—while tsunami readiness reminders are circulating. Tourism Trade Buzz: CHTA Marketplace continues to feed new market links, including Latin America interest for St. Kitts and Nevis.

Sinovac Court Battle: Delaware’s Chancery Court tossed a shareholder fight over Sinovac Biotech’s control, saying the dispute belongs in Antigua and Barbuda where the company is incorporated. Earthquake Disruption: A 6.1 quake toppled supermarket shelves and scattered goods, with businesses cleaning up and some temporarily closing while NODS tallies damage. Education Under Strain: Teacher burnout is being called a “systemic crisis,” with union leaders and researchers warning it’s being left unaddressed. Senate Return: Malaka Parker is back in the Senate after being designated a senator for the UPP, as she flags rising polarization and accountability concerns. Tourism Push: CTO says it will launch a scholarship for emerging Caribbean women in tourism during Caribbean Week, while regional leaders keep spotlighting air connectivity as the next big growth lever. Public Finance: Antigua and Barbuda raised US$30m in a 365-day Treasury bill auction, drawing strong investor demand. Medicinal Cannabis: UWIFIC and the Medicinal Cannabis Authority formalised a research and education partnership to move the industry toward more formal medicinal development.

Earthquake Aftermath: Antigua and Barbuda’s disaster team is tallying damage after a 6.4 quake shook the island Saturday morning, with no injuries reported so far and community coordinators checking homes and businesses. Tourism & Diplomacy: New Tourism Minister of State Michael Freeland is set to represent Prime Minister Gaston Browne at London’s Global Partnerships Conference, while Antigua also pushes multilingual education by making Spanish an official second language. Health & Research: UWIFIC and the Medicinal Cannabis Authority have signed a partnership to expand medicinal cannabis research and training, and the CTO is rolling out a scholarship fund for Caribbean women in tourism. Sports & Community: CTO-backed regional momentum continues with a new scholarship dinner in New York and local football debate over youth-player caps; meanwhile, West Indies cricket gears up with a 10-day high-performance ODI camp in Antigua. Business & Tech: TriCelX files an FDA IND for its CTE therapy XytriX™, and the Caribbean Travel Marketplace keeps growing—Barbados is confirmed to host CTM 2027. Governance & Public Life: Opposition MPs Pringle and Walker apologize for missing the first House sitting due to travel and family matters.

Language Policy Push: Antigua and Barbuda is set to make Spanish its official second language, with Cabinet approving a multilingual education and integration strategy that will embed Spanish across pre-school, primary and secondary schooling. Tourism & Connectivity: Jamaica’s Edmund Bartlett says Kingston will host the CTO Air Connectivity Summit on Feb. 23, 2027, building on last year’s Bermuda meeting aimed at fixing capacity gaps and boosting intra-Caribbean air links. Disaster Readiness: Antigua and Barbuda is rolling out a US$12.3m “Early Warnings for All” project to modernise early warning and weather forecasting systems, with UNDP support and Green Climate Fund financing. Energy Costs: APUA is increasing the fuel variation charge for May, raising electricity bills as global fuel costs bite. Sports Spotlight: West Indies cricket preparations continue in Antigua with a 10-day high-performance ODI camp, while the region’s CPL draft keeps reshaping squads ahead of the Aug 7–Sep 20 season.

Early Warning Push: Antigua and Barbuda is rolling out a major “Early Warnings for All” initiative, with officials saying stronger weather and disaster alerts could help the country avoid losses of up to 3–6% of GDP each year, and that every dollar spent can return about $10–$15 in benefits. Electricity Cost Pressure: At the same time, APUA is set to raise the fuel variation charge for May by 70 cents per kWh, pushing bills higher as global fuel costs bite—an issue opposition figures link to slow progress on reducing fossil-fuel dependence. Tourism Momentum Regionwide: Dominica reported a 10% jump in stayover arrivals in Q1 2026, and the wider CHTA Marketplace buzz continues as regional destinations chase new demand. Connectivity & Safety: Jamaica announced it will host the CTO Air Connectivity Summit in Feb 2027, while UNESCO is running cybersecurity and media-literacy workshops across the islands, including for older adults.

Cybersecurity for Seniors: UNESCO’s SIM Caribbean “Cybersecurity for Older Adults” hybrid workshop ran across St Kitts & Nevis, Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda, with officials stressing basic digital skills, media literacy and protection from misinformation. CPL Draft Fallout: The Republic Bank CPL draft is set the stage for Aug 7–Sep 20, with major roster moves including Gudakesh Motie leaving Guyana for the Barbados Tridents and the Trinbago Knight Riders keeping their championship core via right-to-match options. West Indies ODI Build-Up: Cricket West Indies confirmed a 10-day high-performance camp in Antigua (May 21–31) at Coolidge Cricket Ground to prepare for the Sri Lanka ODI series, led by Daren Sammy with Ottis Gibson joining as fast-bowling consultant. Early Warning Push: Antigua and Barbuda launched “Early Warnings for All,” backed by a US$12.3m initiative, aiming to cut climate-related losses and modernise forecasting. Power Bills Up: APUA raised the May fuel variation charge by 70 cents per kWh, drawing opposition criticism over slow progress on reducing fossil fuel dependence.

Early Warning Push: Antigua and Barbuda has launched a US$12.3m “Early Warnings for All” project with UNDP to modernise forecasting and disaster preparedness, with officials saying stronger systems could cut national losses by up to 6% of GDP and deliver big economic returns. Cost-of-Living Pressure: The same week, APUA raised the May fuel variation charge by 70 cents per kWh, pushing bills higher and drawing renewed criticism over slow progress on reducing fossil-fuel dependence. Tourism Momentum at CHTA: Antigua hosted the 44th Caribbean Travel Marketplace, with Saint Lucia and Dominica using the event to pitch growth plans and new campaigns, while CHTA also confirmed a virtual marketplace upgrade and named Barbados as host for 2027. Regional Climate Funding: A CDB/FRLD workshop in Barbados helped 15 eligible countries prepare submissions for a US$250m loss-and-damage grant window. Cricket & CPL Buzz: CPL draft fallout continues—Knight Riders retained key West Indies stars, while Jamaica targets diaspora fans and the next CTO air connectivity summit is set for 2027.

Climate Finance Push: CDB and FRLD ran a Bridgetown workshop to help 15 eligible Caribbean states prepare “bankable” loss-and-damage grant proposals, with a June 15 deadline for the US$250M Barbados Implementation Modalities pilot. Early Warning Payoff: Antigua and Barbuda’s meteorology chief says stronger early warning systems could cut climate losses by 3–6% of GDP annually and deliver big returns on investment. Cost of Power: APUA is raising the May fuel variation charge by 70 cents per kWh, drawing fresh criticism that progress on renewables has lagged. Plastic Policy: MPs approved the Single-Use Plastics Act 2026, setting a phased transition with customs relief for alternatives before bans kick in. Tourism Momentum: CHTA’s Travel Marketplace continues to spotlight regional growth, with Barbados named host for 2027. Football & Community: A&BUT marks its 100th year by calling out school conditions, while Rotary renovates a youth intervention classroom. CPL Draft Buzz: Trinbago Knight Riders retained key West Indies stars for CPL 2026, while other franchises made major roster moves.

Climate Finance Push: Caribbean governments are lining up to access the US$250M loss-and-damage grant, after a CDB and Fund workshop in Barbados guided 15 eligible countries on building “bankable” project pipelines ahead of a June 15 deadline. Tourism Fight Over Fees: CHTA is pushing back on Booking.com’s proposed commission rules, warning the policy could cost hotels millions and add pressure to an already high-cost sector, while also calling for Airbnb to face the same tax treatment as hotels. Antigua Sports Spotlight: Cricket West Indies is bringing a 10-day high-performance ODI camp to Antigua (May 21–31) as West Indies gear up for Sri Lanka in Jamaica. Local Governance & Services: Rotary renovated a refurbished classroom at Antigua’s Youth Intervention Centre, and Cabinet approved a national Safe Haven for women and children needing care and protection. Language & Integration: Antigua and Barbuda is set to make Spanish an official second language, with curriculum changes and a new Spanish Desk planned.

Government Swearing-In: Senator Joel Anderson Rayne was sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary at Government House, with Governor General Sir Rodney Williams stressing discipline and service after Rayne’s May 8 senator swearing-in. Education & Public Services: The A&BUT says patience is running out over Ottos Comprehensive School’s long-delayed promised wing and inadequate conditions, while SLBMC pushes Project Bloom to tackle weak prenatal care. Tourism Push: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett urged CARICOM to treat tourism as the region’s top economic priority, warning of major “leakage” and calling for a regional logistics/supply-chain push. Sports & Culture: Cricket West Indies announced a 10-day high-performance ODI camp in Antigua ahead of Sri Lanka, and a young gospel artist Enoch Thomas wowed at a Mother’s Day banquet. Governance & Policy: Cabinet approved making Spanish Antigua and Barbuda’s official second language, alongside a Dominican Republic integration programme and a Spanish Desk. Finance Watch: Reports say BOI Bank has been placed under an official administrator, reviving memories of the Banco del Orinoco collapse.

Tourism Supply Push: Caribbean tourism leaders at the CHTA Marketplace in Antigua unveiled a plan for a regional logistics and supply-chain framework to keep more visitor spending inside the region, with ministers saying the sector can’t keep relying on imports. Leakage Concern: Antigua and Barbuda’s Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez flagged “leakage” as a major worry, noting much of what the industry uses is imported and that ministers are now coordinating ways to cut the outflow. Momentum for A&B: Fernandez also urged Antigua and Barbuda to capitalize on record arrivals, leaning on MICE marketing, expanded airlift and cruise growth, and higher-end developments to lift value—not just visitor numbers. Tech for Small Business: CIBC Caribbean is promoting a “Tap on Phone” contactless payments tool for merchants using Android phones. Water & Power Updates: APUA says Potworks Reservoir extraction has stopped due to drought, while electricity has been restored after a blackout linked to a fault near the Cassada substation. Health: SLBMC launched Project Bloom to tackle late or missing prenatal care.

Tourism Supply Chain Push: Antigua and Barbuda is hosting the CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace as regional leaders lean into a “new strategic phase” for tourism—smarter targeting, higher-value visitors, and more year-round demand—while Jamaica’s Edmund Bartlett urges CARICOM to treat tourism as the region’s economic backbone and backs a Caribbean tourism logistics hub to keep more of the tourism dollar at home. Power & Roads: APUA says electricity is restored after an island-wide blackout tied to a fault near the Cassada Gardens substation, and the Ministry of Works warns of overnight single-lane detours on All Saints Road for major infrastructure works. Local Safety Watch: A massive fire on Wehner Road destroyed a two-storey building; investigations continue. Regional Politics: St Kitts and Nevis faces fresh debate over cannabis rollout as a candidate criticises slow progress toward a fully functioning regulated market. Global Spotlight: Former UNGA president Maria Fernanda Espinosa’s UN secretary-general bid gains Antigua and Barbuda backing, adding to a crowded race.

ECCB Pivot: The ECCB has quietly suspended DCash 2.0 development, signaling a shift away from “new money” experiments toward more practical payment upgrades for the region. Tourism Deal-Making: Antigua is pulling big crowds for the 44th CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace, with hundreds of delegates and media in town as the island pushes business links and visitor growth. UN Spotlight: Antigua and Barbuda has nominated former UNGA president María Fernanda Espinosa for UN secretary-general, adding fresh momentum to a five-candidate race. Local Economy & Skills: AT&LU is set to draw 10 scholarship recipients for UWI Global Campus CPE courses, while the tourism authority rolls out a Culinary Crawl to boost food tourism. Road & Safety: All Saints Road detours are in effect for works, and police are investigating a fatal bus crash on the same road. Regional Connectivity: LIAT Air adjusts flight operations amid higher fuel costs and continues expanding routes, including its Guadeloupe service.