AGP Executive Report

Eye Health Push: HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh urged urgent action on avoidable sight loss, saying solutions exist but sustained funding and priority are missing. OECS Climate Talks: OECS ministers will meet in Dominica (May 27–28) to advance regional environmental sustainability and resilience planning. Tourism Momentum: Antigua and Barbuda is leaning into a luxury, tailored-travel shift while reporting strong results from CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026, including visitor growth and new connectivity. Energy Security: PM Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda are in geothermal partnership talks with St Kitts and Nevis and the EU to cut electricity costs and fossil-fuel dependence. Earthquake Readiness: After a strong Eastern Caribbean quake, climatologist Dale Destin is calling for tsunami awareness and preparedness. Spanish in Schools: Cabinet has approved making Spanish the nation’s official second language, starting from pre-school through secondary levels. Climate Finance Drive: Antigua and Barbuda continues pushing for a properly funded Loss and Damage mechanism and better access to climate grants.

Tourism Spotlight: Antigua and Barbuda wrapped up the Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026 as the second straight year it hosted CHTA’s flagship trade event, bringing global tour operators, media and airline partners to the island during Culinary Month and putting local tourism front and centre. Energy Talks: Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda is in discussions with St Kitts and Nevis and the EU on geothermal power—buying Nevis-generated electricity via a subsea cable to cut power costs and fossil-fuel dependence. Climate Readiness: Antigua and Barbuda is pushing “Early Warnings for All,” with meteorology chief Dale Destin saying stronger warning systems can prevent losses worth 3–6% of GDP and deliver big returns. Earthquake Aftershocks: A strong Eastern Caribbean quake earlier this week triggered tsunami-readiness reminders, even as officials reported no tsunami threat. Regional Finance: IFC plans a US$10m stake in a CARICOM resilience fund, targeting sustainability projects across member states. Language & Learning: Cabinet approved making Spanish the nation’s official second language, starting from pre-school through secondary school.

Geothermal push: Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda is in talks with St Kitts and Nevis and the EU to buy geothermal power from Nevis and send it to Antigua via a subsea cable, aiming to cut electricity costs and fossil-fuel dependence. Climate finance pressure: Browne also renewed calls for a fully funded Loss and Damage mechanism so Caribbean countries can recover without sliding deeper into debt. Early warning upgrade: Antigua and Barbuda is rolling out “Early Warnings for All,” with a new US$12.3m push to modernise forecasting and boost disaster readiness. Language & youth: Cabinet approved Spanish as the official second language, while an Antigua education officer represented the country at a UN FAO youth leadership programme in Rome. Sports pipeline: CPL and UWI relaunched the 2026 sports marketing internship, placing 21 students across matches in seven host countries. Earthquake follow-through: After a strong Eastern Caribbean quake, climatologist Dale Destin urged tsunami readiness even though no tsunami was expected.

Spanish in Schools: Antigua and Barbuda has approved Spanish as the nation’s official second language, with the Ministry of Education ordered to restructure the curriculum so Spanish becomes a core subject from pre-school through secondary school—aimed at boosting education, diplomacy, tourism, and jobs, and reflecting long-standing ties with the Dominican Republic. Climate Funding Push: Prime Minister Gaston Browne is calling for the Loss and Damage Fund to be fully capitalized so Caribbean countries can recover from disasters without piling on debt, arguing that “those who pollute must pay.” Earthquake Aftershocks & Readiness: A strong 6.0–6.1 earthquake shook the Eastern Caribbean, with no tsunami expected, but climatologist Dale Destin is urging tsunami awareness and better public preparedness. Sports Pathway: CPL and UWI are opening applications for a 2026 internship programme, placing 21 students into real CPL marketing work across seven host nations. Politics: Malaka Parker has returned to the Senate, bringing legal experience and a renewed focus on accountability.

Earthquake Aftershock Focus: A strong magnitude 6.1 quake rattled the Eastern Caribbean, with tremors felt in St Kitts and Nevis; no damage or injuries were reported, but officials are urging calm as people watch for any coastal changes and stick to verified updates. Tsunami Readiness: Climatologist Dale Destin is pushing Antigua and Barbuda to treat tsunami awareness as a must-do, even though Saturday’s quake did not trigger a tsunami—because stronger regional quakes can still bring dangerous consequences. Local Politics: Malaka Parker has returned to the Senate for the UPP, saying she’s coming back with more maturity and warning that accountability standards may be slipping amid rising polarization. Tourism Momentum: Barbados is set to host the Caribbean Travel Marketplace in 2027, while Antigua keeps the spotlight on growth and language upgrades—Cabinet has approved Spanish as the official second language to boost education, trade, and regional ties. Climate Finance: Antigua and the region are also moving to unlock climate loss-and-damage funding and strengthen early warning systems.

Tourism Momentum: Barbados has been named host for the 45th Caribbean Travel Marketplace in May 2027, with the event running May 18–21—while Antigua and Barbuda prepares for the next round after hosting CTM 2026 (May 12–15). Global Partnerships: Tourism Minister of State Michael Freeland is set to fly to London to represent Prime Minister Gaston Browne at the Global Partnerships Conference (May 19–20), focused on climate, development, health, and gender-based violence. Language & Integration: Antigua and Barbuda will make Spanish the official second language, with Spanish rolled into pre-school through secondary curricula to strengthen trade, tourism, and regional ties. Climate Resilience: Antigua and Barbuda is moving ahead with “Early Warnings for All,” backed by the Green Climate Fund, aiming to cut climate-related losses through better forecasting and alerts. Health Focus: A new regional cervical cancer elimination compendium highlights Antigua and Barbuda’s HPV screening and digital systems as a small-island model. Earthquake Alert: A magnitude 6.0 quake rattled the Leeward Islands, including Antigua and Barbuda, with no tsunami expected.

LGBTQ+ Reparations Push: Equal Rights, Access and Opportunities SVG Inc. (ERAO SVG) launched a National Call for Reparations for LGBT Vincentians on IDAHOBIT, spotlighting how same-sex relations remain criminalised in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and how protections against discrimination are still missing. Education & Integration: Antigua and Barbuda is moving to make Spanish its official second language, with Cabinet-approved plans to embed Spanish across pre-school, primary and secondary schooling. Tourism Diplomacy: Two tourism ministers from Antigua and Barbuda are heading to London for the Global Partnerships Conference, with climate and development cooperation on the agenda. Caribbean Tourism Momentum: Dominica reported a 10% rise in stayover arrivals in Q1 2026, building on strong 2025 growth. Earthquake Alert: A magnitude 6.0 quake rattled the Leeward Islands, including Antigua and Barbuda, with no tsunami expected. Climate Resilience Funding: The region continues gearing up for climate loss-and-damage grants, with early warning systems and preparedness projects highlighted across recent coverage.

Earthquake Update: A magnitude 6.0 quake struck Saturday off the Leeward Islands, with light shaking reported across several islands including Antigua and Barbuda; no tsunami threat was expected. Tourism Momentum: Dominica says stayover arrivals rose 10% in the first quarter of 2026, building on 2025 growth, as the island pitches nature-and-wellness travel at the CHTA Marketplace. Air Connectivity Push: Jamaica announced it will host the second CTO Air Connectivity Summit in Kingston in Feb. 2027, aiming to tackle capacity gaps and high travel costs. Health Spotlight: A new report highlights Commonwealth progress toward cervical cancer elimination, noting Antigua and Barbuda’s HPV-based screening and digital systems. Plastics & Water: MPs passed legislation restricting single-use plastics, while APUA says Potworks Reservoir extraction has stopped due to drought, shifting supply to reverse osmosis plants. Early Warning for All: Antigua and Barbuda launched a major early warning initiative backed by the Green Climate Fund.

Earthquake Alert: A magnitude 6.0 quake struck Saturday morning about 52 miles east of Antigua and Barbuda, with light shaking reported across nearby islands; the U.S. tsunami warning centre says there’s no tsunami danger for the U.S. east coast, Gulf states, or eastern Canada. Disaster Readiness: Antigua and Barbuda is also moving ahead with a major early warning push, including a US$12.3m “Early Warnings for All” project to modernise forecasting and alert systems. Climate Finance: Caribbean countries are preparing for the next loss-and-damage grant window after a CDB/FRLD workshop in Barbados, with guidance aimed at turning resilience plans into fundable projects. Plastics Policy: Bermuda’s single-use plastics restrictions are being phased in, with customs duty relief planned for alternatives. Tourism Momentum: Antigua’s tourism calendar stays busy as the region leans into higher-value travel, while Dominica reports strong visitor growth and major infrastructure plans.

Tourism Momentum at CHTA: Dominica used the Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026 to spotlight fast growth and big upgrades, reporting 496,635 total visitors in 2025 (up 15%) and stayover arrivals up 19% to 99,846, with cruise gains too as the island leans into nature, wellness and sustainability. Antigua Early Warning Push: Antigua and Barbuda launched a major “Early Warnings for All” initiative, backed by the Green Climate Fund and UNDP, with a US$12.3m plan to modernise forecasting and cut climate losses—officials say strong systems can avoid 3–6% of GDP in damage. Climate Finance Access: Across the region, CDB and the Loss and Damage fund helped 15 eligible countries prepare for the US$250m grant window due June 15. Plastic Policy Move: MPs passed the Single-Use Plastics Act 2026, with phased restrictions and customs duty relief for alternatives. CHTA Goes Virtual: For the first time in 44 years, CHTA Marketplace is now available as a permanent virtual digital twin, keeping the trade event “on” year-round.

Climate Finance Push: CDB and the FRLD just wrapped a Bridgetown workshop to help 15 eligible Caribbean states prepare “bankable” loss-and-damage grant requests under the US$250M Barbados Implementation Modalities, with a June 15 deadline—aimed at turning hurricane and slow-onset losses into locally-led resilience projects. Early Warning Payoff: Antigua and Barbuda’s meteorology team says stronger early warning systems could prevent losses of up to 6% of GDP each year, with global studies pointing to big returns on investment. Plastics Law Moves: MPs passed Bermuda’s Single-Use Plastics Act 2026, setting phased restrictions and customs duty relief for alternatives. Tourism Momentum: At CHTA Marketplace in Antigua, ministers and partners highlighted a new tourism phase—higher-value targeting, Latin American demand, and concerns about “leakage” from imported goods. Water Stress: APUA says Potworks Reservoir extraction has stopped due to drought, with supply shifting to reverse osmosis plants. Health Focus: SLBMC launched Project Bloom after data showed nearly 3 in 10 pregnant women aren’t getting adequate prenatal care.

Climate Finance Push: Caribbean governments are moving closer to accessing the US$250M loss-and-damage grant, after a two-day workshop in Barbados helped 15 eligible countries—including Antigua and Barbuda—prepare “bankable” project pipelines ahead of a June 15 deadline. Tourism Strategy Shift: At CHTA’s Marketplace in Antigua, the region’s tourism message is getting sharper: less “arrivals at any cost,” more higher-value, year-round demand—especially as Latin America demand rises and premium travel accelerates. Local Water Stress: APUA says extraction from the Potworks Reservoir has stopped due to drought and low levels, with some customers facing temporary service disruptions while supply is rerouted to reverse osmosis facilities. Health Watch: Health officials say hantavirus risk remains low in Antigua and Barbuda, while regional port surveillance is being stepped up. Language & Integration: Cabinet approved making Spanish Antigua and Barbuda’s official second language, starting with curriculum changes from preschool through secondary school.

Tourism Momentum: Dominica is reporting another jump in visitors, with total arrivals rising to 496,635 in 2025 (up from 432,989 in 2024) and stayover growth of 19%—plus cruise passengers up 23% between Oct 2025 and Apr 2026—showcasing a major infrastructure push at CHTA Marketplace 2026 in Antigua. Regional Tourism Strategy: Antigua’s Tourism Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez says the region must tackle “leakage” (estimated at 80% of visitor spend) and move fast to convert record arrivals into wider local benefits. Climate Finance Push: Caribbean countries are strengthening access to loss-and-damage funding after a CDB workshop in Bridgetown ahead of a US$250M grant window (applications due June 15, 2026). Water & Health: APUA says extraction from Potworks Reservoir has stopped due to drought and low levels, while health officials continue reinforcing low hantavirus risk and preparedness at ports. Education Reform: Antigua and Barbuda plans to make Spanish an official second language, starting with curriculum changes from pre-school through secondary school.

Tourism Supply Leak Alarm: Caribbean tourism ministers are tackling “leakage” after estimates suggest about 80% of visitor spending leaves the region, largely because key goods and services are imported—Antigua’s Charles “Max” Fernandez says the goal is to keep more tourism dollars circulating locally. Tourism Momentum, Now With Value: Fernandez also urged Antigua and Barbuda to capitalize on record-breaking arrivals by pushing higher-quality, higher-value experiences, not just more beds—cruise growth, luxury developments, and added airlift are part of the push. Water Stress Update: APUA says extraction from Potworks Reservoir has stopped due to drought and low levels, with supply shifting to reverse osmosis plants—some customers may see temporary interruptions. Maternal Health Focus: Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre launched Project Bloom after data showed nearly 1 in 3 pregnant women aren’t getting adequate prenatal care, aiming to get more women into antenatal services earlier. Food & Tourism Link: CTO chief Dona Regis-Prosper will keynote the Caribbean Food Forum on May 21, spotlighting regenerative tourism and sustainable food systems.

Tourism Supply Chain Push: The Caribbean Tourism Organization is betting on a “logistics hub” to keep more tourism money in the region, with Jamaica’s Edmund Bartlett leading talks at Sandals Antigua and support flagged from the IDB and World Bank. The goal is simple: Caribbean countries currently keep under 20 cents of every tourism dollar while relying heavily on imports. Caribbean Travel Demand Shift: At the Caribbean Travel Forum in Antigua, CHTA and Amadeus say the region is moving into a new phase—less about bouncing back, more about targeting higher-value travellers and growing beyond peak season, with Latin America demand rising. Marketplace Momentum in Antigua: Antigua’s tourism marketplace is drawing a big turnout of delegates and media as industry leaders line up deals and partnerships. Health Watch: Health officials reiterated that hantavirus risk in Antigua and Barbuda remains low, while ports keep reinforcing precautions. Local Service Focus: Health Minister Michael Joseph personally delivered gift baskets to nurses during Nurses Week, while plans continue to ease pressure at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre’s emergency room.

Tourism Momentum: Antigua is buzzing as the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Marketplace opens today, with organizers expecting well over 500 delegates and media in town—an early sign of confidence in regional travel despite global uncertainty. Luxury & Lifestyle: From a spotlight on Oil Nut Bay’s standout private estate to a breezy, uncrowded beach bar story, the week’s coverage keeps pointing to Antigua’s “slow luxury” appeal. Regional Business Push: Antigua’s tourism leadership is also moving—Brian Murphy has been named incoming chairman of the Hotels and Tourism Association, as the destination leans into partnerships and resilience. Public Health Watch: Health authorities say hantavirus risk remains low, while another reminder lands on water safety: rooftop rainwater may be contaminated and needs treatment. Global Diplomacy: Antigua and Barbuda has nominated Ecuador’s María Fernanda Espinosa for UN Secretary-General, adding a major Caribbean-linked voice to the race. Youth Development: YLAI participants in Antigua report week-by-week skills building as they return learning into real business systems.