AGP Executive Report

Regional Justice Training: A cohort of 20 Eastern Caribbean law enforcement officers and prosecutors has completed an RSS Criminal Practice and Procedure course, mixing online learning with face-to-face training to boost prosecution skills across seven member states. Weather & Health: Dominica’s Meteorological Office reports partly cloudy to cloudy skies with a few showers, breezy conditions, and continued moderate-to-poor air quality from Saharan dust—warning people with asthma and allergies to take precautions. CARICOM Talks: Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew is set to attend CARICOM’s 51st Regular Meeting in St Lucia, with discussions expected to cover climate resilience, food security, regional security, and trade. Marine Conservation: Dominica’s new Sperm Whale Reserve Board has started stakeholder engagement with watersports operators to support protection of the globally significant sperm whale population while sustaining marine-based livelihoods. Community Tourism Skills: Sixteen Kalinago residents have graduated as certified tour guides through a UNDP-supported programme, aiming to strengthen indigenous tourism and community resilience. Climate Outlook: CariCOF warns El Niño is strengthening and warming seas may raise heatwave and drought risks across the Caribbean, with irregular hurricane activity expected into August.

Marine Life Protection: Dominica’s newly formed Sperm Whale Reserve Board has started consultations with watersports operators, aiming to protect a globally significant sperm whale population while keeping marine-based livelihoods sustainable. Climate Risk: CariCOF warns El Niño is strengthening and Caribbean seas are warming, raising the odds of heatwaves, lingering drought in the Lesser Antilles, and heavier rainfall risks later in the wet season. Community-Led Tourism: OECS is pushing community-based tourism as a growth engine, training member states to build policies that put local communities at the centre and keep tourism benefits in-country. Indigenous Tourism Skills: Sixteen Kalinago residents graduated as certified tour guides through a UNDP-supported programme, designed to boost indigenous tourism and community resilience. Regional Climate-Resilience Talks: Prime Minister Skerrit heads to Martinique and St Lucia for CARICOM meetings focused on disaster preparedness, climate resilience, renewable energy, and regional security. Health & Environment Link: Dr. Velda Wade says Dominica has about 300 people living with cancer, calling it an “epidemic” level concern that demands urgent action. Sustainable Arts: The Alwin Bully Foundation will host a public forum on strengthening Dominica’s sustainable arts and cultural industries.

Climate Watch: CariCOF warns El Niño is strengthening and Caribbean seas are warming, raising the odds of heatwaves, longer drought in parts of the Lesser Antilles, and heavier downpours later in the wet season. Marine Conservation: Dominica’s new Sperm Whale Reserve Board has started consultations with watersports operators to align livelihoods with protection of the globally significant sperm whale population. Community Tourism: OECS tourism officials met in St Lucia to push community-based tourism as a people-centred growth engine, with policies meant to keep benefits, culture, and natural assets in local hands. Health & Environment Link: Dr. Velda Wade says cancer cases in Dominica are “alarming” (about 300 people), urging prevention and stronger public action. Regional Resilience: PM Skerrit heads to CARICOM meetings focused on disaster preparedness, climate resilience, renewable energy, and sustainable development. Local Capacity Building: UNDP-backed training has certified 16 Kalinago Territory residents as professional tour guides, supporting indigenous, community-driven tourism. Arts for Sustainability: The Alwin Bully Foundation plans a public forum on strengthening Dominica’s creative industries through sustainable approaches.

Marine Conservation & Tourism Governance: Dominica’s newly formed Sperm Whale Reserve Board has started consultations with watersports operators in Goodwill, aiming to protect the globally significant sperm whale population while keeping marine livelihoods viable. Community Resilience Through Skills: Sixteen Kalinago residents graduated as certified tour guides after a UNDP-supported programme, strengthening indigenous tourism and local economic opportunities in the Territory. Sustainable Tourism Policy (Regional): OECS officials met in Saint Lucia to push community-based tourism as a people-centred growth engine, with training focused on turning assessment into action plans that keep benefits inside communities and protect natural and cultural assets. Health & Public Awareness: Dr. Velda Wade told the Dominica Cancer Society AGM that about 300 people in Dominica are living with cancer—calling it an alarming wake-up call for prevention and action. Climate-Ready Agriculture (Regional): IICA training in St Vincent and the Grenadines supported soil-health and climate-resilient farming for 49 farmers and agricultural officers, using soil testing to guide better land management. Local Capacity Building (Arts): The Alwin Bully Foundation will host a public forum on strengthening Dominica’s sustainable arts and cultural industries sector at UWI Global Campus on July 8.

Sperm Whale Reserve: Dominica’s newly formed Sperm Whale Reserve Board has started stakeholder talks, meeting watersports operators to share its mandate and push for shared responsibility—aiming to protect a globally significant whale population while supporting sustainable marine livelihoods. Community-Based Tourism: OECS tourism officials met in Saint Lucia to strengthen community-based tourism policies, using EU-funded support to help member states put local communities at the centre of planning and benefits—an approach that ties culture and natural assets to resilient local economies. Kalinago Tourism Skills: Sixteen residents of the Kalinago Territory graduated as certified tour guides after a UNDP-supported programme, coordinated with the Kalinago Council and Dominica State College, boosting indigenous tourism and community resilience. Marine Conservation Awareness: Dominica’s Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve Day highlighted marine protection through school outreach, radio programmes and public awareness activities. Health & Environment Link: Dr. Velda Wade warned that cancer cases in Dominica are “alarming,” urging prevention and community action. Disaster Readiness (Regional): A CARICOM-backed “anticipatory action” model is set to release funds to fisherfolk before hurricanes hit, shifting support from response to preparedness.

Marine Conservation: Dominica’s newly formed Sperm Whale Reserve Board has started stakeholder talks, meeting watersports operators to roll out the reserve with shared responsibility for protecting a globally significant whale population while supporting sustainable livelihoods. Marine Protected Areas: The Fisheries Division marked Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve Day 2026 with school presentations, radio programmes and an inter-school debate under the theme “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet.” Climate & Resilience: A regional push for climate-smart action continues as CARICOM and partners back preparedness and resilience work, including youth capacity building and disaster-ready planning approaches. Biodiversity & Community Tourism: Sixteen Kalinago residents graduated as certified tour guides after a UNDP-supported programme aimed at strengthening indigenous tourism, boosting local incomes and building community resilience. Health: Dr. Velda Wade warned that cancer cases in Dominica are “alarming,” urging prevention and community action as the Dominica Cancer Society convenes. Bilateral Sustainability Links: Dominica welcomed New Zealand’s new High Commissioner, with both sides pointing to cooperation that supports sustainable development and climate adaptation.

Marine Conservation: Dominica’s newly formed Sperm Whale Reserve Board has started consultations with watersports operators, meeting in Goodwill to share progress, explain its mandate, and stress that protecting sperm whales must go hand-in-hand with supporting marine-dependent livelihoods. Regional Climate & Resilience: CARICOM and Canada reaffirmed a renewed action plan with pillars including climate action and climate resilience, while also focusing on regional security—showing how environment work is increasingly tied to broader stability. Disaster Preparedness: A Caribbean-wide push highlights “anticipatory action” insurance that can release funds to fisherfolk before hurricanes hit, helping communities secure boats and reduce losses. Marine Protected Areas: Dominica’s Fisheries Division marked SSMR Day 2026 with school and community activities aimed at strengthening awareness of marine conservation and sustainable use. Agriculture & Soil Health: In St Vincent and the Grenadines, 49 farmers and agricultural officers trained under a soil-health project to boost climate-resilient farming. Weather & Public Safety: Dominica Meteorological Service warned of tropical-wave showers, flood/landslide risks, and worsening air quality from Saharan dust, with small-craft caution for rougher seas.

Marine Conservation: Dominica’s Fisheries Division marked Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve (SSMR) Day 2026 with school presentations, radio programmes and an inter-school debate under the theme “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet,” renewing calls for stewardship and sustainable use. Climate Resilience & Food Security: A regional ADOPT Caribbean soil-health push trained 49 farmers and agricultural officers in St Vincent and the Grenadines, combining classroom learning with field soil testing to support climate-resilient agriculture. Biodiversity & Climate Policy: A new scientific push argues wildlife’s ecological roles should be built into climate strategies and nature-based solutions, not treated as an afterthought. Health & Capacity Building: The Rotary Club of Portsmouth and Medical Ministry International completed over 60 cataract surgeries in Dominica, with a focus on training and sustainable healthcare development. Digital Resilience: Dominica and St Lucia regulators urged backup communication plans after a Flow outage left customers without service for nearly 19 hours, while requesting a detailed report and resilience measures. Youth & Skills: ECCB’s free 2026 STEM Camp (starting July 6) targets ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to grow digital creators and innovators.

Roseau North By-Election: Ashma McDougall’s campaign liftoff has DLP firmly in focus, with the party pitching youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and community wellbeing as the route to “lasting change” in the constituency. Independent Challenge: Sherman Boston has also entered the Roseau North race as an independent after saying he declined an alleged invitation to rejoin the ruling Labour Party, framing his run around integrity and practical solutions. Marine Conservation: The Fisheries Division marked Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve Day 2026 with school presentations, radio programmes, and an inter-school debate under the theme “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet.” Climate-Resilient Farming: In St Vincent and the Grenadines, 49 farmers and agricultural officers completed training for soil-health climate-resilient agriculture, including soil sampling to guide future management. Regional Climate & Energy Push: CARICOM and Canada renewed cooperation with a results-focused action plan spanning climate action and resilience, while regional energy leaders urged a faster, coordinated renewable transition. Telecom Resilience: Dominica and St Lucia regulators asked Flow for a detailed report after a major outage, citing a fibre fault between Guadeloupe and Antigua and pushing for stronger backup plans.

Marine Conservation: Dominica’s Fisheries Division marked Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve (SSMR) Day 2026 with school presentations, radio programmes and an inter-school debate under the theme “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet,” renewing focus on stewardship and sustainable use of coastal and ocean resources. Climate & Resilience: Dominica Meteorological Service warned of a tropical wave bringing scattered showers and possible thunderstorms, plus Saharan dust and low visibility at sea, urging caution for flooding, landslides and respiratory sensitivity. Biodiversity & Learning: Five Arkansas State University students returned after a first-of-its-kind environmental management research trip, working on field mapping and ecology studies tied to benthic habitat change. Regional Partnerships: Canada and CARICOM renewed cooperation with a results-focused action plan spanning climate action, resilient economies and regional security, while Dominica also welcomed New Zealand’s new High Commissioner, with renewable energy and climate-smart development highlighted. Energy Transition: Caribbean leaders pushed for bolder, coordinated renewable energy action, and an anticipatory action insurance scheme aims to release hurricane funds before landfall to protect fisherfolk livelihoods. Connectivity: Dominica and St Lucia regulators asked Flow for a detailed report after a major fibre-linked outage, and urged customers to keep backup communication plans.

Roseau North By-Election: PM Roosevelt Skerrit backed Labour candidate Ashma McDougall at the campaign lift-off, pitching youth empowerment, entrepreneur support and “bread-and-butter” services ahead of a by-election expected before mid-September. Sports Infrastructure: Skerrit also shared progress on an EC$14 million synthetic athletics track project in Pointe Ronde, Portsmouth, aimed at a World Athletics Class 1 facility and keeping elite athletes training at home. Marine Conservation: The Fisheries Division marked Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve Day 2026 with school and community activities under the theme “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet.” Climate-Smart Farming: A regional ADOPT Caribbean soil health programme trained 49 farmers and agricultural officers in St Vincent and the Grenadines, pairing soil testing with field learning to boost climate-resilient agriculture. Connectivity & Resilience: Dominica and St Lucia regulators urged backup communication plans after a Flow outage, saying the disruption was linked to a fibre fault between Guadeloupe and Antigua. Diplomacy for Sustainability: Dominica welcomed New Zealand’s new High Commissioner, with both sides flagging cooperation on renewable energy and climate-smart development.

Research & Environment Education: Five Arkansas State University students returned from Dominica after a first-of-its-kind environmental management field research trip led by Dr. Jason Post, with work on ecology and benthic habitat mapping. Climate-Resilient Farming: IICA training in St. Vincent and the Grenadines reached 49 farmers and agricultural officers under the ADOPT Caribbean soil-health project, combining soil testing with practical climate-resilient farming skills. Marine Conservation: Dominica’s Fisheries Division marked Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve Day 2026 with school presentations, radio programmes and an inter-school debate under the theme “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet.” Renewables & Resilience Policy: Canada and CARICOM renewed a strategic partnership with a new action plan focused on climate action and resilience alongside regional security. Early Action for Disasters: A new anticipatory insurance mechanism will release funds to fisherfolk up to three days before hurricanes to protect livelihoods. Connectivity & Preparedness: Dominica and St Lucia regulators urged backup communication plans after a Flow outage, while requesting a detailed report on the fibre fault. Weather Watch: Dominica’s Met Service warned of tropical wave showers, possible thunderstorms, and Saharan dust affecting air quality.

Climate Action & Resilience: Canada and CARICOM renewed a strategic partnership with a new results-focused action plan built around climate action, competitive economies, and regional security—pushing for clear timelines, measurable outcomes, and sustainable financing. Marine Conservation: Dominica’s Fisheries Division marked Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve Day 2026 with school presentations, radio programmes, and an inter-school debate to boost public stewardship of marine resources. Climate-Smart Agriculture: IICA training in St Vincent and the Grenadines reached 49 farmers and agricultural officers under the ADOPT Caribbean soil health project, using soil testing and field learning to strengthen climate-resilient farming. Early Disaster Finance: A new anticipatory action insurance mechanism will release funds to fisherfolk up to three days before hurricanes, helping communities secure boats and livelihoods before impacts hit. Renewables Push: Caribbean leaders at the CDB urged a faster, coordinated renewable energy transition, warning that fragmented efforts won’t deliver clean, affordable, reliable power. Digital Resilience: Regulators in Dominica and St Lucia urged backup communication plans after a major Flow outage, while UWI’s Five Islands Campus launched a Blue Finance and Ocean Innovation side event ahead of CHOGM. Maritime Sustainability: Saudi Arabia launched a two-year maritime sustainability project with IMO support for 14 Caribbean states, including Dominica, to strengthen maritime laws and policy capacity. Weather & Health: Dominica Meteorological Service warned of tropical wave showers, flooding/landslide risk, and Saharan dust affecting air quality, advising extra care for respiratory conditions.

Climate resilience & food systems: IICA says 49 farmers and agricultural officers in St Vincent and the Grenadines completed training under ADOPT Caribbean’s Soil Health for Climate Resilient Agriculture project, combining soil testing with field learning to help farms adapt to climate impacts. Marine conservation: Dominica’s Fisheries Division marked Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve Day 2026 with school presentations, radio programmes and an inter-school debate under the theme “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet.” Early action for disasters: A new anticipatory action insurance scheme will release funds to fisherfolk up to three days before hurricanes, aiming to protect boats and livelihoods before damage happens. Renewables push: Caribbean leaders at the CDB annual meeting urged a faster, coordinated renewable energy transition, including blended finance and climate-resilient grids. Digital resilience: Grenada co-hosted a regional cell broadcast emergency warning validation workshop with Dominica and others, supporting multi-hazard early warnings. Local governance & services: Dominica and St Lucia regulators urged Flow customers to plan backups after a fibre-route fault caused a major outage. Diplomacy for sustainability: PM Skerrit welcomed New Zealand’s new High Commissioner, Linda Charlotte Te Puni, citing cooperation on geothermal, renewable energy and climate-smart agriculture. Blue economy: UWI Five Islands launched a Blue Finance and Ocean Innovation side event ahead of CHOGM 2026.

Marine Conservation: Dominica’s Fisheries Division marked Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve (SSMR) Day 2026 with school talks, radio programmes and an inter-school debate under the theme “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet,” aiming to boost stewardship of the island’s coastal and ocean resources. Climate-Smart Agriculture: IICA’s ADOPT Caribbean soil health project trained 49 farmers and agricultural officers in St Vincent and the Grenadines, combining soil testing with classroom and field learning to support climate-resilient farming. Early Action for Disasters: A new anticipatory action insurance mechanism will release funds to fisherfolk up to three days before hurricanes, using forecast triggers to help protect boats and livelihoods before damage occurs. Renewables Push: Caribbean leaders at the CDB annual meeting urged a faster, coordinated renewable energy transition, calling for regional portfolios, blended finance and climate-resilient grids. Digital Resilience & Skills: CARICOM launched a youth capacity programme for strategic, sustainable action; meanwhile, the ECCB’s free STEM Camp is set to train 14–18-year-olds across ECCU territories, and UWI’s Five Islands Campus backed a Blue Finance and Ocean Innovation side event ahead of CHOGM. Regional Cooperation: OECS marked 45 years of integration, with renewed calls for bold implementation on climate resilience, food and energy security. Weather Watch: Dominica Meteorological Service warned of tropical wave showers, possible thunderstorms, flood/landslide risk, and Saharan dust affecting air quality.

Youth & Capacity Building: CARICOM has launched a new regional online programme to strengthen youth development leadership across member states, targeting about 180 youth professionals over two years with training in project design, grant writing, monitoring, leadership, mental health first aid, and youth engagement. Disaster Readiness & Early Action: A new anticipatory action insurance mechanism will release funds to vulnerable fisherfolk up to three days before hurricanes, helping communities secure boats and livelihoods before damage hits. Renewables Push: Caribbean leaders at the CDB meeting urged a faster, coordinated renewable energy transition, calling for regional portfolios, blended finance, and climate-resilient grids. Marine Conservation in Dominica: Dominica’s Fisheries Division marked Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve Day 2026 with school presentations, radio programmes, and an inter-school debate under the theme “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet.” Climate-Smart Farming: In St Vincent and the Grenadines, 49 farmers and agricultural officers completed training under ADOPT Caribbean’s soil health project, including soil sampling to guide future climate-resilient practices. Regional Tech & Resilience: Grenada co-hosted a validation workshop for a cell broadcast emergency warning system, while Dominica and St Lucia regulators urged backup communication plans after a major Flow outage.