AGP Executive Report

Climate & Resilience: Dominica is stepping up climate-resilient farming with an Integrated Soil Conservation and Soil Fertility Improvement Demonstration Project, backed by German Development Cooperation, plus technical support from Argentina’s INTA to help farmers cut erosion and protect soil and water. Agriculture Capacity: The Portsmouth Tissue Culture Laboratory is boosting local production of high-quality plants (over 500,000 a year) and strengthening disaster preparedness through secure seed storage. Food Systems Leadership: Capuchin farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste has been named among FAO’s inaugural 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems, recognized for decades of sustainable, mixed farming and rainwater harvesting. Biodiversity & Tourism: Dominica plans a 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue at the cable car top station, aiming to spotlight the island’s unique wildlife while drawing visitors. Heat Season Warning: Across the region, El Niño is expected to intensify hotter, drier conditions—raising risks for water supplies, farming, and health. Sports Infrastructure: Pointe Ronde’s new multi-purpose complex is moving toward World Athletics Class One certification, which could help Dominica host more international athletics events.

Climate Resilience & Agriculture: Dominica is strengthening climate-smart farming with a Tissue Culture Laboratory in Portsmouth that can produce 500,000+ high-quality plants yearly, while also storing seeds for faster post-hurricane recovery. Food Security Leadership: Farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste has been named among FAO’s inaugural “100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development,” recognized for decades of mixed farming, rainwater harvesting, composting, reforestation and supplying local markets. Heat & Drought Preparedness: Eastern Caribbean health officials are already seeing heat-stress cases linked to El Niño-driven hot, dry conditions, with warnings that risks extend to water supplies, farming and trade. Wildlife & Biodiversity Tourism: Dominica plans a 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue at the cable car top station, aiming to spotlight the endangered bird found only on the island. Regional Capacity Building: PAHO/WHO supported severe infection and critical care training for health professionals across seven Eastern Caribbean countries, using practical simulations to improve pandemic readiness. Sports Infrastructure: Pointe Ronde’s new multi-purpose sporting complex is progressing toward World Athletics Class One certification, boosting Dominica’s ability to host major meets and training camps. Disaster Risk Planning: Regional Red Cross partners, including Dominica, are advancing Early Action Protocols so pre-funded help can be triggered automatically when forecasts predict cyclones.

Climate Resilience & Agriculture: Dominica is strengthening climate-resilient farming with a Tissue Culture Laboratory in Portsmouth that can produce 500,000+ plants yearly and also stores seeds for faster recovery after hurricanes. Food Systems Leadership: Farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste was named among FAO’s inaugural 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems, recognized for decades of sustainable, mixed farming and rainwater harvesting. Extreme Heat Watch: Eastern Caribbean health officials are already seeing heat stress cases, with El Niño expected to intensify hotter, drier conditions that can also strain water supplies and farming. Sports & Infrastructure: Pointe Ronde’s new multi-purpose sporting complex is progressing toward World Athletics Class One certification, which could help Dominica host major meets and support winter training. Biodiversity & Tourism: Dominica plans a 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue at the cable car top station, aiming to spotlight the island’s unique wildlife through a major visitor landmark. Regional Health Capacity: PAHO/WHO supported severe infection and critical care simulation training for health professionals across seven Eastern Caribbean countries, boosting practical readiness for outbreaks.

Wildlife & Biodiversity: Dominica’s farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste (Capuchin) has been named among FAO’s inaugural “100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development,” recognized for decades of mixed, soil-friendly farming, rainwater harvesting, composting and reforestation. Climate & Resilience: Across the Caribbean, CIMH and UWI climate experts are urging urgent preparation for intensifying El Niño heat and drought, warning of hotter, drier conditions through late 2026 and into 2027 that could strain water, farming and health. Agriculture Capacity: Dominica is expanding agricultural resilience with its Portsmouth Tissue Culture Laboratory, able to produce 500,000+ high-quality plants yearly and also support disaster recovery by securely storing seed and planting material. Health & Preparedness: PAHO/WHO ran a simulation-based critical care training for severe infections for health professionals across seven Eastern Caribbean countries, building practical skills for outbreaks and pandemics. Conservation Culture: EPIC’s “Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean” photo contest is in its final week (entries due Aug 31), with US$3,000+ in prizes and a public Audience Choice vote—spotlighting Caribbean life, nature and stewardship. Sports Infrastructure: Pointe Ronde’s new multi-purpose complex is moving toward World Athletics Class One certification, which could boost Dominica’s ability to host major meets and support training camps.

Climate & Disaster Watch: Catastrophic flash flooding along the China–Nepal border has killed more than 150 people, with hundreds missing, after a landslide blocked the Bhote Koshi River and triggered a surge downstream. Agrifood Resilience: Dominica is boosting farm resilience with a Tissue Culture Laboratory in Portsmouth that can produce over 500,000 high-quality plants yearly, while also storing seeds for faster recovery after hurricanes. Local Recognition in Food Systems: Dominican farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste has been named an FAO “Women Hero in Agrifood Systems,” praised for decades of sustainable, mixed farming and rainwater harvesting. Biodiversity & Tourism Branding: Dominica plans a 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue at the top of its cable car station, aiming to make it the world’s tallest and biggest parrot landmark. Regional Heat & Drought Preparedness: Caribbean partners are urging action as El Niño strengthens, with hotter, drier conditions expected through late 2026 into 2027. Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis has taken up her PAHO/WHO role for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, bringing 25 years of public health experience. Energy Policy (Regional): Barbados’ $350m Harrow hybrid energy project is awaiting a tariff ruling expected by September 15, a key step before construction can begin.

Agrifood Recognition: Dominican farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste of Capuchin was named an inaugural FAO “Women Hero in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development,” praised for decades of farming and sustainable practices like green manuring, rainwater harvesting, composting and reforestation. Agriculture Resilience: Dominica’s Portsmouth Tissue Culture Laboratory is ramping up production of over 500,000 high-quality plants a year, boosting access to healthy planting material and acting as secure seed storage to speed recovery after hurricanes. Climate Watch: CIMH and UWI researchers warn El Niño is strengthening, with hotter, drier conditions likely through late 2026 into 2027—raising risks of drought, water shortages and wildfires. Wildlife & Tourism: Dominica plans a 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue at the cable car top station, aiming to make it the world’s tallest and biggest parrot landmark. Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis assumed the PAHO/WHO role for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, bringing 25 years of public health experience to support resilient health systems.

Wildlife & Tourism: A new roundup spotlights remote wildlife destinations, underscoring how rare truly wild encounters are becoming as wilderness shrinks. Biodiversity Spotlight: Dominica plans a 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue at the cable car top station, aiming to make it the world’s tallest and biggest parrot landmark and tie tourism directly to national natural heritage. Climate Risk Watch: Caribbean partners are urging urgent preparation for hotter, drier conditions as El Niño strengthens, with drought, water shortages and wildfire risks flagged for the coming months. Sustainable Agriculture: Dominica is pushing climate-resilient farming via an Integrated Soil Conservation and Soil Fertility Improvement project, supporting farmers to cut erosion and protect soil and water. Health & Resilience: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis has started as PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, bringing 25 years of public health experience to help strengthen resilient health systems. Disaster Readiness: Regional Red Cross groups are finalizing Early Action Protocols to trigger pre-funded help before disasters hit. Local Economy & Tourism: Work is set to begin on Dominica’s Cruise Village at Woodbridge Bay, with foreign direct investment and new opportunities for local vendors and businesses.

Climate Watch: CIMH and UWI researchers are urging Dominica and the wider Caribbean to brace for intensifying El Niño-driven heat and drought, with August to October flagged as the peak Heat Season and below-normal rainfall raising risks of water shortages and wildfires into 2027. Biodiversity & Tourism: Dominica is planning a 23-foot brass Sisserou Parrot statue at the top station of its new cable car, aiming to make it the world’s tallest and biggest parrot landmark while spotlighting the endangered bird that’s found only on the island. Resilient Agriculture: Dominica is strengthening climate-resilient farming through an Integrated Soil Conservation and Soil Fertility Improvement project, helping farmers reduce erosion, improve soil fertility, and manage soil and water more sustainably. Disaster Preparedness: The Dominica Red Cross joined regional partners to finalize Early Action Protocols—pre-agreed, pre-funded steps that trigger before disasters hit. Science & Nature: Freediving research led by a team including University of Auckland scientists is spotlighting how the body responds at extreme depths, with fieldwork carried out in Dominica. Power Reliability: DOMLEC apologized for widespread outages linked to geothermal disconnections and vegetation/weather impacts, saying it’s reviewing how it communicates during prolonged blackouts. Culture & Heritage: “Women of Dominica,” a documentary by environmental scientist Farrah La Ronde-Hutchison, is set for its first public screening at Miami’s Urban Film Festival on Sept. 5.

Climate-Resilient Farming: Dominica is stepping up sustainable agriculture with a regional Integrated Soil Conservation and Soil Fertility Improvement Demonstration Project, backing farmers to boost soil health, cut erosion, and manage water better as climate pressures rise. Community Resilience & Preparedness: The Dominica Red Cross joined regional partners in an Early Action Protocol push, aiming to trigger pre-agreed, pre-funded disaster support before storms hit. Youth & Wellbeing: Educator Beverly LeBlanc praised the Girls Leadership Summer Camp Bootcamp for creating a safe space where young women build confidence, emotional intelligence, and digital citizenship skills. Stargazing Moment: Skywatchers get a rare treat: a partial lunar eclipse on Friday night, with about 93.9% of the Moon obscured at maximum. Tourism & Local Business: Government plans to move ahead with a Cruise Village at Woodbridge Bay, expected to start construction in October and create new opportunities for Dominican vendors, farmers, fishers, and artisans. Health Systems Support: PAHO/WHO named Dr. Eva Jané Llopis as its new Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, strengthening regional health cooperation.

Climate-smart farming: Dominica is stepping up sustainable agriculture with an Integrated Soil Conservation and Soil Fertility Improvement Demonstration Project, backed by German Development Cooperation and supported by specialists from Argentina’s INTA, aiming to help farmers boost yields while cutting erosion and protecting soil and water. Disaster readiness: The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Society is helping finalize sub-regional Early Action Protocols with the Dominica Red Cross Society and others, so pre-agreed, pre-funded help can be triggered before disasters hit. Tourism with local benefits: Construction is set to begin in October on Dominica’s Cruise Village at Woodbridge Bay, funded through foreign direct investment and designed to create opportunities for vendors, farmers, fishers, artisans and tour operators. Energy reliability: DOMLEC has apologized for widespread outages between Aug. 14–15, citing geothermal disconnects and weather/vegetation impacts, and says it’s reviewing how it communicates during prolonged blackouts. Science & nature: Freediving research led from Dominica is earning major recognition for new findings on how the body responds at extreme breath-hold depths. Skywatching: Dominicans are being urged to watch for a dramatic partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 28, weather permitting.

Cruise & Coastal Development: Dominica is set to move ahead with the Cruise Village at Woodbridge Bay, with construction expected to start in October after two years of groundwork and negotiations for a foreign direct investment public-private partnership. Climate-Resilience & Disaster Readiness: The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Society is strengthening hurricane preparedness through Early Action Protocols, with Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis Red Cross teams joining a regional workshop in Guadeloupe to pre-plan and trigger pre-funded aid before disasters hit. Tourism Research & Health Science: Freediving research led by a team backed by Inkfish Expeditions in Dominica is earning major recognition for studying why elite divers black out at extreme depths, including rare arterial blood sampling up to 80 metres. Environment & Public Safety: Work is underway to improve security at Dominica’s Botanical Gardens, including strengthening fencing around washroom facilities. Local Infrastructure: Construction continues on Dominica’s international airport passenger terminal, with steelwork, masonry, roofing, waterproofing and climate-resilient design features progressing. Regional Economy Watch: ECLAC forecasts Dominica’s growth at 3.1% in 2026 and 2.8% in 2027, while highlighting how Guyana’s surge is widening the Caribbean economic gap. Culture & Heritage: “Women of Dominica,” a documentary by environmental scientist Farrah La Ronde-Hutchison, is preparing for its first public screening at the Urban Film Festival in Miami on September 5.

Marine Science: A Dominica-based freediving study on why elite divers black out at extreme depths has been spotlighted by the American Physiological Society, with arterial blood samples taken during open-water dives to 80 metres—work led by University of Auckland researchers and supported by Inkfish Expeditions. Climate Resilience & Disaster Readiness: The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Society joined a regional Early Action Protocol workshop in Guadeloupe to pre-plan and pre-fund cyclone response, with Dominica’s Red Cross among the participants. Tourism & Coastal Development: Dominica is set to push ahead with a Cruise Village at Woodbridge Bay via public-private partnership, with construction expected to start in October and new opportunities for local vendors, farmers, fishers and artisans. Environment & Public Safety: The Ministry is upgrading fencing at the Botanical Gardens washrooms to improve security for visitors and staff. Weather Watch: Dominica’s meteorology office reports fairer, drier conditions with Saharan dust affecting air quality, while a tropical wave is expected to bring showers to the southern Lesser Antilles.

Tourism & Coastal Development: Dominica is moving ahead with the Cruise Village at Woodbridge Bay, with construction expected to start in October after two years of prep, aiming to expand the Roseau cruise pier and create new opportunities for local vendors, farmers, fishers, artisans, musicians and tour operators. Climate-Resilience & Disaster Readiness: The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Society, with regional partners including the Dominica Red Cross Society, is strengthening hurricane preparedness through Early Action Protocols that trigger pre-funded help before disasters hit. Environment-Smart Infrastructure: Work continues on Dominica’s international airport passenger terminal, with contractors saying the design will withstand a changing climate, including safety systems like lightning protection. Public Safety in Nature Spaces: The Ministry is upgrading fencing at the Botanical Gardens washrooms to improve security for visitors and staff. Weather Watch: A tropical wave is expected to bring showers to parts of the Lesser Antilles, including Dominica, while a high-pressure system rebuilds and dust may affect air quality. Regional Trade & Services: OECS, UNCTAD and ECLAC wrapped up a project to improve evidence-based policymaking for trade in services, using better services statistics to support economic resilience.

Tourism & Coastal Development: Dominica is set to kick off construction in October on a new Cruise Village at Woodbridge Bay, backed by foreign direct investment and aimed at expanding opportunities for local vendors, farmers, fishers, artisans and tour operators. Climate Resilience & Disaster Readiness: The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Society, with the Dominica Red Cross Society, helped finalize sub-regional Early Action Protocols that trigger pre-funded help when forecasts predict disasters—shifting aid from after the storm to before it hits. Marine & Community Safety: Dominica’s Ministry of Environment says fencing upgrades are underway at the Botanical Gardens to improve security for visitors and staff. Weather Watch: Meteorological updates warn of rough seas and gusty conditions tied to tropical waves, with advisories for mariners and coastal residents. Local Food Security: UNDP’s SCR-K project, funded by India, is supporting Kalinago households with seedlings, tools and water storage to boost backyard gardening and resilience. Regional Health Supply & Power: Direct Relief shipments include PPE and medicines for the DRC Ebola response, while solar power support is strengthening a hospital in Haiti. Digital Skills for MSMEs: A CDB-backed initiative launched in Barbados will support at least 150 MSMEs across Dominica and other islands to adopt digital solutions and improve competitiveness.

Urban Film Festival: “Women of Dominica,” a debut documentary by environmental scientist and cultural advocate Farrah La Ronde-Hutchison, is set for its first public screening in Miami on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 3:05 p.m. EDT, spotlighting 10 Dominican women across generations and how land, culture, and mentorship shape identity. Disaster readiness: The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Society joined a regional Early Action Protocol workshop in Guadeloupe to pre-plan and pre-fund humanitarian response when cyclone forecasts trigger action—Dominica Red Cross and St. Kitts and Nevis also took part. Digital push for resilience: The Caribbean Development Bank and Barbados’ Small Business Association launched a CDB-supported digital transformation initiative for MSMEs, targeting at least 150 firms across Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with special focus on women-led and underserved businesses. Climate-smart food security: UNDP’s SCR-K project, funded by India, delivered seedlings, tools, tarpaulins, and water storage to 36 Kalinago households to expand backyard gardens and strengthen climate resilience. Weather watch: Meteorologists report a new tropical wave bringing showers to the Lesser Antilles, with impacts expected to be localized and weakening as it moves through.

Climate-Resilient Rebuild: Dominica’s post-Hurricane Maria approach is highlighted as a shift from “recovery” to rebuilding bigger—aiming for a climate-resilient island rather than a return to the old normal. Disaster Preparedness: The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross is advancing anticipatory action with Early Action Protocols, with Dominica and St. Kitts & Nevis Red Cross societies joining regional partners to trigger pre-funded help before disasters hit. Digital Push for Resilience: The Caribbean Development Bank and Barbados Small Business Association launched a CDB-supported digital transformation initiative for at least 150 MSMEs across Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent—prioritising women-led and underserved businesses. Weather Watch: Dominica continues to face tropical-wave impacts and rough seas, with repeated advisories for flood-prone areas, coastal safety, and securing loose items. Marine Conservation & Tourism Rules: The Dominica Watersports Association calls for clearer, more transparent regulations—especially around the Sperm Whale Reserve Act—to protect the marine environment while giving operators workable licensing guidance. Health Supply Security: OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement Service marks 40 years of pooled buying, reporting savings and stronger access to essential medicines and diagnostics across the Eastern Caribbean.