AGP Executive Report

Community-Based Tourism: OECS officials met in Saint Lucia (June 9–11) to help member states move “from assessment to action” on community-based tourism, supported by the 11th EDF RIGHT programme—aiming to keep tourism benefits in local communities and protect culture and natural assets. Food Allergy Health: A Spain study of 502 IgE-mediated patients found women faced worse food-allergy quality of life, with multiple allergies and past severe reactions linked to poorer outcomes. Montserrat Emergency Care: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing the Legislative Assembly to back a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, noting service stopped in 2019 over aircraft safety margins and that key requirements still aren’t met. Regional Tech & Youth Skills: ECCB is set to launch its 2026 STEM Camp on July 6, a free four-week programme for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, focused on turning youth into digital creators using modern tech and leadership training. Earthquake Watch: UWI-SRC reported a magnitude 3.9 quake northeast of Antigua and Barbuda (10 km deep), with no immediate damage reports. Public Service Focus: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week 2026 (June 21–26) with calls for innovation and a culture of efficiency, accountability, and people-centered service. Music & Culture: CASA CUPRA Raval kicked off July’s Raval Music Sessions in Barcelona, starting with experimental rap/electronic artist Erik Urano (July 2) and Maria Arnal (July 9).

Food Allergy Health: A Spain-based study of 502 people with IgE-mediated food allergy found women reported worse food-allergy quality of life than men, with the poorest scores among those with multiple food allergies and a history of severe reactions. Earthquake Watch: The UWI Seismic Research Centre urged calm but preparedness after major Venezuela earthquakes, noting stress changes can ripple across the Caribbean while direct fault links between events are hard to prove. Montserrat Community: Six Montserrat centenarians were honoured at a Brades ceremony, celebrating 100+ years of service and local legacy. Local Safety & Health Access: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo pushed for urgent restoration of safe, continuous night-time medical evacuation flights, pointing to remaining regulatory and operational gaps since flights stopped in 2019. STEM for Youth: The ECCB announced a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, focused on tech creation skills including AI and design thinking. Critical Materials: A public exhibition highlights how demand for “critical” minerals used in tech and clean energy is accelerating, raising questions about mining, recycling, and supply security.

STEM for Montserrat and the region: The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank is set to run a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6, targeting ages 14–18 across ECCU member territories, with training that blends AI skills (Python) and design thinking with leadership and collaboration. Disaster readiness after quakes: UWI’s Seismic Research Centre urged calm but preparedness after major earthquakes in Venezuela, saying there’s no clear link to a single fault system, while noting the region’s active seismic zone can see stress changes. Montserrat emergency services push: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is calling on Montserrat’s Legislative Assembly to back a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, after service suspension in 2019 over safety margins. Critical materials spotlight: A new public exhibition highlights 34 “critical raw materials” and why demand is rising fast for clean energy, tech, and defence—raising questions about mining, recycling, and product design. Local milestone: Montserrat honoured six living centenarians at a Brades ceremony, celebrating their long service and contributions to island life.

STEM & Digital Skills: ECCB is set to run a free 2026 STEM Camp (July 6 onward) for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to turn young people into creators using AI-focused Python, design thinking, and collaboration. Public Service Modernization: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week 2026 (June 21–26) with a push for innovation and people-centered service, stressing efficiency, accountability, and professionalism. Critical Materials Spotlight: A new public exhibition highlights 34 “critical raw materials” needed for clean energy, tech, and defence—plus the need for smarter mining, recycling, and product design. Montserrat Health Priority: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is urging support to restore safe, continuous night-time medical evacuation services, noting flights stopped in 2019 due to safety margins and that key requirements still need work. Earthquake Monitoring: UWI’s Seismic Research Centre says a 3.9 quake northeast of Antigua (10 km deep) caused no immediate damage, while also urging preparedness after major Venezuela quakes. Volcano Tech Loss: Geoff Wadge obituary remembers a remote-sensing pioneer who used radar to track ground movement ahead of eruptions. Local Heritage: Montserrat honoured six living centenarians at a Brades ceremony celebrating their lifelong contributions.

Vatican Leadership Shake-Up: Pope Leo XIV named Bishop Marco Mellino secretary of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts and Father Lucio Adrián Ruiz secretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, with layman Massimo Ralli as undersecretary—roles starting Sept. 1. Human Development Office Changes: Leo also appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli as prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, with Cardinal Fabio Baggio as pro-prefect and Father Jozef Barlaš as secretary, also effective Sept. 1. Earthquake Watch (Caribbean): UWI’s Seismic Research Centre recorded a magnitude 3.9 quake northeast of Antigua and Barbuda at 10:37am local time (10 km deep); no damage reported. Regional Preparedness: UWI-SRC urged calm but readiness after major Venezuela quakes, saying there’s no clear direct link between events even as stress shifts across the Caribbean plate boundary zone. Montserrat Health Priority: Donaldson Romeo called for urgent restoration of safe, continuous night-time medical evacuation services, citing unresolved regulatory and safety requirements since flights stopped in Nov. 2019. STEM for Youth (ECCB): ECCB announced a free four-week STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU member territories, including Montserrat. Critical Materials Spotlight: A new public exhibition highlights “critical raw materials” needed for clean energy, tech, and defence, and the push for smarter mining and recycling.

Disaster Preparedness: UWI’s Seismic Research Centre urged calm but readiness after major Venezuela earthquakes, noting the Caribbean Plate was disrupted by released energy and that there’s no clear link to a single fault system, though stress changes can affect the wider region. Public Service Delivery: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week 2026 with a push for innovation and a people-centered culture of efficiency, accountability, and professionalism across government operations. Critical Materials Spotlight: A new public exhibition highlights 34 “critical” raw materials vital to clean energy, digital infrastructure, and defence, stressing the need for smarter mining, recycling, and product design as demand rises fast. Emergency Health Access: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo called for urgent restoration of Montserrat’s night-time medical evacuation service, saying key regulatory and operational gaps still block returns after flights stopped in 2019. Regional STEM Pipeline: The ECCB announced its 2026 STEM Camp (July 6, free for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, including Montserrat) to build AI and tech skills alongside design thinking and leadership. Health Policy Updates: WHO’s World Health Assembly recognized multiple disease-elimination wins and extended negotiations on the Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing annex, with Montserrat listed among countries achieving mother-to-child transmission elimination.

Seismic Preparedness: UWI’s Seismic Research Centre urged calm but readiness after major earthquakes in Venezuela, saying the events likely reflect different tectonic processes within the Caribbean–South American boundary and noting a small uptick in regional quakes. Public Service Efficiency: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week 2026, with Minister Stephenson King pushing innovation and a people-centered culture of efficiency, accountability, and professionalism. Critical Materials Spotlight: A new public exhibition highlights 34 “critical” raw materials tied to clean energy and defence supply risks, stressing the need for smarter mining, recycling, and product design. Night Medical Evacuation Push: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo called for urgent restoration of Montserrat’s night-time medical evacuation service, pointing to safety stoppage since 2019 and arguing remaining fixes could be done quickly. Regional STEM Pipeline: ECCB announced a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to build AI and tech creator skills. Health Policy Update: WHO’s World Health Assembly daily update covered progress awards (including mother-to-child HIV/HBV/syphilis elimination for Montserrat) and continued talks on the Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing annex.

Seismic Preparedness: UWI’s Seismic Research Centre urged calm after major earthquakes in Venezuela, saying the Caribbean Plate saw disruption from a large energy release and noting a small rise in regional quakes—while stressing there’s no clear link to a single fault system and that people should stay prepared. Public Service Modernization: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week 2026, with Minister Stephenson King calling for innovation and a culture of efficiency, accountability, professionalism, and people-centered service delivery. Critical Materials Spotlight: A new exhibition highlights “critical raw materials” essential to tech and security, warning that demand for inputs like lithium, cobalt, rare earths, and graphite is rising fast and that mining, recycling, and product design decisions now will shape long-term supply. Montserrat Emergency Services: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing for urgent restoration of safe, continuous night-time medical evacuation flights for Montserrat, citing outstanding regulatory and operational requirements since the 2019 suspension. Regional STEM Push: The ECCB announced its 2026 STEM Camp (July 6 onward), a free four-week program for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to build youth skills in AI, design thinking, and collaboration. Health Policy Update: WHO’s World Health Assembly daily update covered progress on disease elimination awards and continued negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing annex for the Pandemic Agreement.

Emergency Medical Evacuation: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is urging Montserrat’s Legislative Assembly to back a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable, continuous night-time medical evacuation services, marking 29 years since the 1997 volcanic disaster; he says key regulatory and operational requirements still block the service, but some fixes could be done quickly. STEM for Regional Youth: The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) will run a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6, targeting ages 14–18 across ECCU member territories including Montserrat, with training aimed at turning young people into tech creators and innovators. Digital Skills & Industry Links: A U.S. Embassy and CETYS Universidad launched the CaliBaja Innovation Center in Tijuana as a Microsoft-certified academy offering training and certifications in AI, cybersecurity, digital citizenship, and cloud computing. Volcano Tech Legacy: Geoff Wadge obituary highlights his pioneering remote-sensing radar work to detect ground movement before eruptions, helping reduce risky field visits. Climate Adaptation in the Caribbean: A regional look at how islands are adapting to more frequent extreme weather and volcanic risk, including Montserrat’s question of whether volcanic activity could support recovery energy needs. Public Service Culture: Saint Lucia’s Public Service Week 2026 focused on efficiency, accountability, professionalism, and people-centered service delivery. Global Health Updates: WHO’s World Health Assembly daily update includes Montserrat’s recognition for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, HBV, and syphilis, plus continued work on the Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system.

Public Service Week 2026: Saint Lucia’s public service leaders pushed a “people-centered” push for efficiency, accountability, professionalism, and innovation during June 21–26, tying the message to International Public Service Day. Critical Materials Exhibition: A new public exhibition spotlights 34 “critical” raw materials—linking mining, recycling, and product design to rising demand from clean energy and digital infrastructure. Night Medical Evacuation: Montserrat’s Donaldson Romeo is urging the Legislative Assembly and the public to back urgent restoration of safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation services, citing gaps since flights stopped in 2019. STEM Camp (ECCB): The ECCB announced a free four-week STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, with AI-focused Python and design-thinking training. Global Health (WHO): The World Health Assembly highlighted major elimination milestones, including Montserrat’s recognition for mother-to-child transmission elimination, and continued work on the Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system. Caribbean Resilience: A regional look at climate adaptation across the Lesser Antilles connects extreme weather and volcanic risk to energy, water, food, and tourism planning.

Public Service Week 2026: Saint Lucia marked June 21–26 with a push for more efficient, accountable, people-centered public service, with Minister Stephenson King calling for innovation and stronger collaboration across government. Critical Materials Spotlight: A new UK exhibition highlights 34 “critical” raw materials—key for clean energy, tech, and defence—and warns that today’s choices on mining, recycling, and design will shape supply for decades. Night Medical Evacuation Urgency: Montserrat’s former Premier Donaldson Romeo is urging the Legislative Assembly to back a resolution to urgently restore safe, continuous night-time medical evacuation services, citing gaps since flights stopped in 2019. Regional STEM Boost: The ECCB is set to launch a free 2026 STEM Camp on July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to turn youth into tech creators using AI-focused Python and design thinking. WHO Health Updates: The World Health Assembly recognized multiple disease-elimination milestones, including Montserrat among countries achieving mother-to-child transmission elimination for HIV, HBV, and syphilis, while continuing talks on the Pandemic Agreement’s PABS annex. Caribbean Climate Resilience: A regional look at how extreme weather and volcanic and geothermal opportunities are reshaping adaptation plans across islands, including Montserrat’s recovery questions.

Critical Materials Spotlight: A new public exhibition in the UK highlights 34 “critical” raw materials behind phones, hospitals, clean energy and defence, linking rising demand to choices on mining, recycling and product design. Night Medical Evacuation Push: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo urges Montserrat’s Legislative Assembly to back a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, after service stopped in 2019 over safety margins. Regional STEM Boost: The ECCB announces a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to turn youth into creators using tech skills including AI-focused programming. Cross-Border Tech Training: The U.S. Consulate and CETYS Universidad open the CaliBaja Innovation Center in Tijuana, offering certified training in AI, cybersecurity, cloud and more via a Microsoft-certified academy. Volcano Monitoring Loss: Geoff Wadge obituary notes his pioneering radar-based remote sensing work to detect ground movement before eruptions. Health Policy Update: WHO’s World Health Assembly daily coverage includes progress on disease elimination certificates and continued talks on the Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system. Caribbean Climate Resilience: A regional feature connects extreme weather and island vulnerability to adaptation efforts, including geothermal and volcano-linked recovery research in the Eastern Caribbean.

Medical Evacuation Priority: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing Montserrat’s Legislative Assembly to back a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, noting they stopped in November 2019 after safety concerns with the Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander; he argues many regulatory and infrastructure fixes could be done quickly. STEM & Digital Skills: The ECCB announced its 2026 STEM Camp (July 6–four weeks) for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, including Montserrat, aiming to turn youth into tech creators using AI-focused Python and design thinking. Regional Innovation Hubs: A U.S.-backed cross-border tech hub in Mexico (CaliBaja Innovation Center) opened with Microsoft-certified training in AI, cybersecurity, cloud, and digital citizenship. Volcano Monitoring Legacy: Geoff Wadge, a remote-sensing pioneer who used radar to detect ground movement before eruptions, has died. Global Health Updates: WHO’s World Health Assembly highlighted progress including Montserrat’s recognition for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, HBV, and syphilis, while continuing talks on the Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing annex. Climate Resilience Lens: A Caribbean-focused report ties extreme weather and volcanic risk to practical adaptation needs across energy, water, land, and tourism.

Health & Safety: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing the Legislative Assembly to back an urgent resolution to restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, noting the service stopped in November 2019 after safety concerns with the BN-2 Islander aircraft and arguing key regulatory and infrastructure fixes could be done quickly. STEM & Youth Tech: The ECCB will run a free, four-week 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to turn young people into digital creators using AI-focused Python training plus design thinking and collaboration. Regional Innovation Hubs: A U.S. Consulate and CETYS Universidad have launched the CaliBaja Innovation Center in Tijuana as a Microsoft-certified training academy, offering programs in AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and digital citizenship. Volcano Monitoring Research: The week also marked the legacy of Geoff Wadge, a remote-sensing pioneer who used radar to detect ground movement before eruptions, helping reduce risky field visits. Global Health Policy: WHO’s World Health Assembly highlighted progress on disease elimination (including Montserrat’s recognition for mother-to-child HIV/HBV/syphilis elimination) and continued talks on the Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing annex.

STEM & Skills: The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) will run a free, four-week 2026 STEM Camp from July 6 for ages 14–18 across all ECCU territories, aiming to turn young people into tech creators through Python, user experience, design thinking, and leadership training. Cross-Border Tech Training: The U.S. Consulate in Tijuana and CETYS Universidad opened the CaliBaja Innovation Center, a Microsoft-certified academy offering training and certifications in AI, cybersecurity, digital citizenship, and cloud computing, with Qualcomm support. Public Health Policy: WHO’s World Health Assembly highlighted progress on trachoma, leprosy, malaria, and HIV/HBV/syphilis elimination, while continuing talks on the Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) annex. AI in Education & Ethics: Marywood University President Lori met Pope Leo XIV, who urged educators to grapple with AI’s rapid acceleration and its impact on Catholic learning. Regional Governance & AI: Bermuda’s Overseas Territories summit focused on workforce shortages and how emerging technologies, including AI, can be integrated into public administration. Climate Resilience (Caribbean): A new look at the region’s rising extreme weather risk ties adaptation to energy, water, land, and tourism—spotlighting efforts like Dominica’s geothermal push and Montserrat’s recovery questions.

Cross-border tech training: The U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana and CETYS Universidad opened the CaliBaja Innovation Center, a Microsoft-certified academy offering AI, cybersecurity, digital citizenship, and cloud computing training, plus English and cross-cultural support to boost regional employability. Montserrat in global health: WHO’s World Health Assembly daily update highlighted Montserrat among countries recognized for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, HBV, and syphilis, while Member States continued talks on the Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing annex. Regional public service tech: Bermuda wrapped up an Overseas Territories summit that included Montserrat, with leaders discussing workforce shortages, public service reform, and how to integrate emerging technologies like AI into government. Caribbean climate resilience: A feature on the Lesser Antilles connects rising extreme weather to island vulnerability and adaptation, including geothermal and volcano-linked recovery ideas relevant to Montserrat’s science and resilience planning. Local agriculture spotlight: Montserrat farmer Shanyon McPherson received the island’s inaugural Governor’s Award for work supporting agriculture, food security, and community development. Remembering a volcano radar pioneer: An obituary honors Geoff Wadge, a remote sensing pioneer who used radar to detect ground movement before eruptions, reducing the need for risky close-up monitoring.