AGP Executive Report

Cancer Diagnostics Boost: CariGenetics Saint Lucia and Lab Services & Consultations have launched a partnership to expand access to genetic testing, advanced cancer diagnostics, and sequencing in Saint Lucia and the wider OECS, including tumour genetics and immunohistochemistry to support more personalised treatment and better disease surveillance. Regional Health Procurement: A PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS joint planning workshop in Castries focused on improving sustained access to safe, effective, quality-assured medicines and health technologies across Eastern Caribbean small island states, with Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Health highlighting affordability and supply-chain barriers. Clean Energy for Fisheries: The STAR-Fish project is scaling clean energy interventions for Caribbean fisheries and aquaculture, with St Lucia among participating countries, targeting renewable-powered cold storage and low-carbon certification to strengthen resilience and competitiveness. Climate Pressure Watch: Caribbean islands are facing worsening drought and heat stress linked to a strong El Niño pattern, threatening water supplies, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure. Local Transport Tech: The National Taxi Union is developing a local app to help drivers and riders manage trips and records digitally as Uber competition grows. Earthquake Update: A magnitude 6.0 quake rattled parts of the eastern Caribbean, with tremors felt in Saint Lucia and no immediate damage reported.

Genetic Testing Boost for St. Lucia: CariGenetics Saint Lucia and Lab Services & Consultations Ltd. have teamed up to expand access to genetic testing, advanced cancer diagnostics, sequencing and precision health across Saint Lucia and the OECS, with a strong focus on tumour genetics and immunohistochemistry to support more personalized care. Health Tech Procurement in the Eastern Caribbean: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS opened a joint planning workshop aimed at improving sustainable access to safe, effective, quality-assured medicines and health technologies, tackling barriers like affordability and supply chain gaps. Clean Energy for Fisheries: The Canada-funded STAR-Fish project is scaling clean energy interventions for Caribbean fisheries, including renewable power and cold storage to strengthen the cold chain, plus support for low-carbon certification. Taxi Sector Goes Digital: The National Taxi Union is developing an app for riders, drivers and the union to manage work, improve transparency and respond to Uber competition, alongside progress toward a taxi permit system by end-September. Regional Tourism Push in New York: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 is underway, bringing tourism ministers and officials together under “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences” to secure markets and shift toward cultural and regenerative tourism. Earthquake Update: A magnitude 6.0 quake was felt across parts of the eastern Caribbean, with monitoring ongoing by the UWI Seismic Research Centre. Climate Pressure Reminder: New reporting highlights worsening drought and heat stress patterns across the region, stressing impacts on water, ecosystems and tourism infrastructure. Local Culture & Community: Take Over Tent (TOT) marks its 45th anniversary, celebrating calypso, culture and community with a new season of events.

Genomics for cancer care: CariGenetics Saint Lucia and Lab Services & Consultations Ltd. have partnered to expand access to genetic testing, advanced cancer diagnostics, sequencing, and precision health across Saint Lucia and the OECS, with a focus on tumour genetics and immunohistochemistry to support more personalized treatment decisions. Health tech access: PAHO and OECS-PPS opened a joint planning workshop pushing for sustained access to safe, effective, and quality-assured medicines and health technologies, with Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Health highlighting affordability and supply chain barriers. Clean energy for fisheries: The Canada-funded STAR-Fish project is scaling clean energy interventions for Caribbean fisheries and aquaculture, including renewable-powered cold storage and support for low-carbon certification, with work plans set for 2026–2027. Digital taxi regulation: The National Taxi Union is developing a local app for riders and drivers to manage bookings, trip and financial history, and NTU administration as it responds to Uber competition, aiming for better regulation and accountability. Earthquake update: A magnitude 6.0 quake was felt across several islands including Saint Lucia, with monitoring continuing and residents urged to submit felt reports. Climate pressure: Caribbean islands are facing worsening drought and heat linked to strong El Niño patterns, threatening freshwater supplies, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure. Tourism beyond the resort: A new St. Lucia-based travel show, “Beyond the Resort,” spotlights village-led access around Gros Piton and questions the impact of mass all-inclusive tourism.

Genomics for Cancer Care: CariGenetics Saint Lucia and Lab Services & Consultations Ltd. have teamed up to expand access to genetic testing, tumour genetics, immunohistochemistry, and sequencing—aiming to build local diagnostic capacity and support more personalised cancer decisions across Saint Lucia and the OECS. Health Tech Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS opened a joint planning workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, effective, quality-assured medicines and health technologies, focusing on procurement, supply chains, demand forecasting, quality assurance, and pooled purchasing. Clean Energy for Fisheries: The STAR-Fish project (CRFM) is ramping up clean energy interventions for Caribbean fisheries, including renewable cold storage and support for low-carbon certification, with implementation planned across multiple countries including St Lucia. Local Tech in Transport: Saint Lucia’s National Taxi Union is developing an app to help drivers and riders manage bookings and payments digitally as Uber grows, with features for transparency and trip/financial history. Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 6.0 quake was felt across the eastern Caribbean, including Saint Lucia, with monitoring ongoing by the UWI Seismic Research Centre. Climate & Agriculture Data: Taiwan’s technical mission supported a greenhouse gas inventory validation workshop in Micoud, strengthening crop emissions data work under regional climate-smart agriculture efforts.

Clean Energy for Fisheries: Canada-backed STAR-Fish is scaling clean energy interventions across Caribbean fisheries, including renewable tech for cold storage and support for low-carbon certification, with St. Lucia among participating countries. Health Tech Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS launched a joint technical working group in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies, focusing on procurement, supply chains, quality assurance, and pooled purchasing. Regional Sargassum Response: OECS partners met in Dominica to strengthen coordinated sargassum management and coastal resilience, sharing practical approaches to protect biodiversity. Local Transport Tech: Saint Lucia’s National Taxi Union is developing an app to help drivers and riders manage trips and payments digitally as Uber competition grows. Justice System Upgrades: Government continues Swift Justice and backlog reduction efforts, expanding virtual court operations and upgrading courthouse infrastructure to speed cases. Climate Pressure Watch: New reporting highlights drought and extreme heat risks across the Caribbean as El Niño conditions intensify. Tourism Leadership in New York: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 is underway, with ministers and industry leaders pushing connectivity and resilience, while a Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase finals event spotlights student business proposals. Agriculture & Data: Taiwan’s technical mission supported greenhouse gas inventory validation and climate-smart agriculture data work in Saint Lucia. Earthquake Alert: A magnitude 6.0 quake was felt across parts of the eastern Caribbean, with monitoring ongoing.

Caribbean Week in New York 2026: Tourism leaders from across the region, including expected participation from Saint Lucia, are meeting in Manhattan under the theme “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences” to push stronger connectivity, resilience, and a unified Caribbean tourism voice. Regional Environment & Resilience: OECS partners gathered in Dominica for a SARSEA workshop focused on coordinated sargassum management and coastal resilience, backed by AFD funding. Earthquake Update: A magnitude 6.0 quake rattled parts of the eastern Caribbean, with tremors felt in Saint Lucia and no immediate damage reported. Health Tech & Medicines Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will launch a technical working group in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies. Climate & Agriculture Pressure: Coverage highlights worsening drought conditions and climate extremes across the Caribbean, with knock-on effects for water and farming. Local Governance & Justice: Saint Lucia continues justice reforms, including Swift Justice and virtual court operations, aiming to reduce delays and improve court efficiency. STEM/Climate Data: Taiwan’s technical mission supported greenhouse gas inventory validation in Micoud, strengthening crop emissions data work.

Regional Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 6.0 quake struck the eastern Caribbean Saturday at 5:27 p.m., with tremors felt in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines; the UWI Seismic Research Centre is urging residents to submit felt reports as monitoring continues. Coastal Resilience & Sargassum: OECS partners met in Dominica for a SARSEA workshop to strengthen regional technical collaboration on sargassum management, biodiversity protection, and coastal resilience, supported by AFD and implemented with Expertise France and the OECS Commission. Health Tech & Medicines Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS convene a Saint Lucia workshop to launch a Technical Working Group focused on improving access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies across the Eastern Caribbean, including better procurement, forecasting, and pooled purchasing. Climate & Water Stress: New reporting highlights 2026 climate swings—drought, sea-level pressure, and extreme heat linked to a strong El Niño—raising risks for freshwater supplies, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure. Agriculture Trade & Fair Pricing: St Lucia’s agriculture ministry marked the passing of Renwick Rose, a WINFA and Fairtrade leader credited with helping small farmers secure fairer global trade terms. Local Energy & Skills: LUCELEC held its 2025 Staff Awards, recognising teams and staff for performance gains and progress on reliability amid changing economic and regulatory conditions. Youth & Tourism Innovation: Students from Saint Lucia and other CTO member states advanced to the Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase finals in New York, pitching investment-ready, sustainable tourism proposals. Justice System Upgrade: Government updates point to continued Swift Justice Project work, backlog reduction, expanded virtual court operations, and courthouse upgrades to improve court efficiency and public confidence. GHG Data for Farming: Taiwan Technical Mission staff joined a national greenhouse gas inventory validation workshop in Micoud, supporting better emissions data analysis for crop production through CCMRVH-linked projects. Sports Tech & Community: The Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League kicks off its third season June 27 with higher pay, new leadership, and added technology, plus a revised second-division format.

Regional Environment & Resilience: In Dominica, the SARSEA project held an OECS workshop to boost coordinated action on sargassum management, coastal resilience and biodiversity protection, bringing together governments, experts and partners under AFD funding and OECS implementation. Agriculture & Fair Trade: St. Lucia’s Ministry of Agriculture marked the passing of Renwrick Rose, a WINFA and Fairtrade leader credited with helping small farmers secure fair pricing and community-funded premiums during major banana-market shocks. Tourism & Regional Strategy: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 opens June 1 with a strong turnout of Caribbean tourism ministers and commissioners, aiming to strengthen market share and economic resilience under the “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences” theme. Health Tech & Medicines Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to launch a technical working group focused on improving access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies across the Eastern Caribbean. Climate & Public Health: New research from WRI and the Rockefeller Foundation says early climate health investments can deliver major returns—up to US$68 per US$1—by strengthening heat and disaster preparedness. Earthquake Update: A magnitude 6.0 quake was felt across parts of the eastern Caribbean, including Saint Lucia, with monitoring ongoing and no immediate damage reported. Local Governance & Justice: Government continues justice reforms, including Swift Justice Project steps to reduce criminal backlogs and expand virtual court operations. Trade & Regional Links: Saint Lucia is pushing practical trade cooperation with Martinique, including work on import-export facilitation for specific product categories.

Regional Tourism & Youth Innovation: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 kicks off June 1 with a strong turnout of Caribbean tourism ministers and commissioners, including Saint Lucia’s representation, as the CTO pushes “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences.” Tourism Showcase: Saint Lucia and other Caribbean territories advance to the finals of the CTO’s 2026 Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase, with live presentations June 4 in New York focused on investment-ready, sustainable tourism proposals. Climate & Health Tech: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to launch a technical working group aimed at improving access to safe medicines and health technologies across the Eastern Caribbean. Greenhouse Gas Data Work: Taiwan’s technical mission in Saint Lucia supported a national greenhouse gas inventory validation workshop in Micoud (May 22), strengthening crop emissions data under CCMRVH. Disaster Preparedness: GEM will host a Hurricane Preparedness Summit June 1 to align regional readiness and response planning. Local Governance & Justice: Saint Lucia continues justice reforms, including the Swift Justice Project and virtual court expansion at Bordelais Correctional Facility. Sports & Community: The Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League season starts June 27 with new leadership, higher pay, and a revised second-division format. Earthquake Update: A magnitude 6.0 quake rattled parts of the eastern Caribbean, with tremors felt in Saint Lucia and no immediate damage reported. Climate Pressure: Caribbean islands face worsening drought and heat linked to a strong El Niño pattern, threatening water supplies, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure.

Culture & Community: Take Over Tent (TOT) is marking its 45th anniversary, kicking off with a church service in La Clery and celebrating “excellence in calypso, culture and community,” with long-serving member Herb Black also hitting 40 years in calypso. Earth & Disaster Watch: A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Saturday afternoon, with tremors reported across Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines; the UWI Seismic Research Centre is monitoring and urged residents to submit felt reports. Climate Resilience: The wet season is arriving as drought lingers, with 2026’s extreme heat and rainfall swings linked to a strong El Niño pattern—raising pressure on reservoirs, aquifers, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure. Greenhouse Gas Data: Taiwan’s Technical Mission and CCMRVH are supporting national greenhouse gas inventory validation, focusing on crop emissions data and training at a workshop in Micoud. Health Tech Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a regional workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies, including pooled procurement and better supply planning. Sports Tech & Funding: Saint Lucia’s semi-pro football league season 3 starts June 27 with higher pay, new leadership, and added technology, plus a revised second-division format. Regional Security Science: The U.S. announced $8M for Caribbean forensic labs, targeting synthetic drug detection, training, and faster lab turnaround through DEA-linked collaboration.

Climate Data & Agriculture: Taiwan’s Technical Mission (TTM) and CCMRVH supported a National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Validation Workshop in Micoud (May 22), focusing on improving greenhouse gas emissions data from crop production under the Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative. Health Tech & Medicines Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a 28–29 May workshop in Saint Lucia to launch a Technical Working Group aimed at strengthening procurement, supply chains, quality assurance, and pooled purchasing for essential medicines and health technologies across the Eastern Caribbean. Forensics & Public Safety: The U.S. announced over US$8M for Caribbean forensic labs at a summit in Saint Lucia (May 20–22), including synthetic drug detection equipment, training, and closer DEA collaboration to speed fentanyl testing and support court-admissible evidence. Justice System Reform: Government continues Swift Justice Project and Criminal Backlog Reduction Court work, expands virtual court operations at Bordelais Correctional Facility, and upgrades court infrastructure including Soufriere Courthouse refurbishment. Regional Tourism Innovation: Students from Saint Lucia advanced to the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 2026 Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase finals in New York on June 4 with investment-ready, sustainable tourism proposals. Sports & Community: The Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League season 3 kicks off June 27 with new leadership, higher stipends tied to discipline and attendance, and a revised second-division format. Local Science/Tech in Housing: A Saint Lucian architect and researcher’s paper on housing terminology has been accepted for presentation at the Caribbean Urban Forum 2026 in Jamaica. Community & Culture: Lu City, a Saint Lucian pop/R&B/hip-hop duo, is making waves with a homegrown French Caribbean twist ahead of regional spotlight moments.

Tourism & Innovation: Students from the British Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia and Turks and Caicos advanced to the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 2026 Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase finals in New York on June 4, pitching investment-ready, sustainable tourism proposals. Disaster Preparedness: Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) will host a Hurricane Preparedness Summit on June 1, bringing together regional and U.S. emergency, utility and humanitarian partners to coordinate readiness and recovery planning. Regional Health Tech: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe medicines and health technologies, including pooled procurement and stronger supply chains. Public Finance & Governance: The Commonwealth Secretariat highlights Saint Lucia’s debt management reforms, citing a drop in debt-to-GDP from over 90% (2020) to 74.5% (2024) supported by modernized legislation and technology. Justice System Modernisation: Government justice reforms continue, including the Swift Justice Project’s Criminal Backlog Reduction Court and expanded virtual court operations. Forensics & Security: The U.S. announced $8M+ for Caribbean forensic labs to boost fentanyl detection, cut backlogs and strengthen court-admissible evidence, alongside a new regional forensic working group. Local Science-in-Action: An Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre planning grant will support research and design for what’s set to be Saint Lucia’s largest solarised aquaponics facility. Sports & Tech in Sport: The Saint Lucia Semi-Pro Football League season kicks off June 27 with new leadership, higher pay and added technology, plus a revised second-division format. Community & Safety: Police are investigating a homicide in Sunny Acres, Castries, and urge anyone with information to contact investigators.

Tourism & Youth Innovation: Students from the British Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia and Turks & Caicos advanced to the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 2026 Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase finals, with “Live Finals” set for June 4 in New York as teams pitch investment-ready, sustainable tourism proposals. Disaster Preparedness: Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) will host a Hurricane Preparedness Summit on June 1, bringing together officials, emergency managers, utilities and humanitarian partners to coordinate readiness and recovery planning across the region. Health Tech & Medicines Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a two-day workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe medicines and health technologies, including launching a regional technical working group. Forensics & Public Safety: The U.S. announced over US$8M for Caribbean forensic labs, targeting better synthetic drug detection, reduced backlogs and stronger court-admissible evidence, with Saint Lucia hosting the May 20–22 summit. Local Governance & Finance: Saint Lucia was highlighted by the Commonwealth Secretariat for debt management progress, cutting debt-to-GDP from above 90% (2020) to 74.5% (2024). Digital Transformation: Liberty Caribbean’s Amplify Summit urged faster regional digital transformation, focusing on connectivity, cybersecurity, AI, cloud and modernising tourism and public services. Sports & Community: The Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League season 3 starts June 27 with new leadership, higher pay and updated second-division format. STEM & Climate-Smart Agriculture: A planning grant supports the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre’s move toward Saint Lucia’s largest solarised aquaponics facility, including research, consultations and business planning.

Tourism & Innovation: Students from the British Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia and Turks and Caicos advanced to the finals of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 2026 Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase, with “Live Finals” set for June 4 in New York as teams pitch investment-ready, sustainable tourism proposals. Digital Transformation: The second Amplify Summit wrapped with a push for faster Caribbean digital transformation, spotlighting AI, cybersecurity, digital policy, resilient infrastructure and workforce development. Health Tech & Access to Medicines: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a two-day workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies, including pooled procurement and better supply systems. Forensics & Public Safety: The U.S. announced over US$8M for Caribbean forensic labs, targeting improved fentanyl detection, reduced lab backlogs and stronger court-admissible evidence, with a new regional forensic working group launched. Sustainable Food Systems: A planning grant supports research and design for what’s expected to be Saint Lucia’s largest solarised aquaponics facility at the Archbishop Kelvin Felix Pastoral Centre. Sports & Community: The Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League season 3 starts June 27 with new leadership, higher pay and updated second-division format.

Health Tech & Medicines: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a 28–29 May workshop in St. Lucia to launch a technical working group focused on improving access to safe, effective health technologies across the Eastern Caribbean, including pooled procurement, supply chains, and quality assurance. Public Safety & Justice Tech: The Government continues justice reforms under the Swift Justice Project, including the Criminal Backlog Reduction Court and expanded virtual court operations, aiming to speed up older cases and modernise court infrastructure. Forensics & Drug Detection: The US announced over US$8M for Caribbean forensic labs, including advanced synthetic drug detection equipment and training to improve fentanyl testing and court-admissible evidence, with regional coordination via a new forensic working group. Regional Digital Transformation: The Amplify Summit in Miami pushed for faster Caribbean digital transformation, covering AI, cybersecurity, digital policy, cloud, and modernising tourism and public services. Youth & Skills in Tourism: Students from BVI, St. Lucia and Turks & Caicos reached finals of the CTO’s 2026 Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase in New York on June 4 with investment-ready, sustainable tourism proposals. Sports & Community: The Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League season 3 kicks off June 27 with new leadership, higher pay, and a revised second-division format.

Tourism & Youth: The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 2026 Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase is heading to New York, with finals on June 4 at InterContinental New York Times Square. Student teams from BVI, St. Lucia and Turks & Caicos will pitch investment-ready, sustainable tourism proposals judged on innovation, feasibility and impact. Digital Transformation: The Amplify Summit wrapped with a push for faster Caribbean digital transformation, focusing on AI, cybersecurity, digital policy, cloud upgrades and modernising tourism and public services. Health Tech & Medicines: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will hold a two-day workshop in St. Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe medicines and health technologies, including launching a regional technical working group. Forensics & Public Safety: The US announced over US$8M for Caribbean forensic labs to boost synthetic drug detection, cut lab backlogs and strengthen court-admissible evidence, with a new Caribbean forensic scientific working group. Justice Reform: Government continues justice sector upgrades, including Swift Justice Project measures, virtual court expansion and courthouse refurbishment. Local Governance & Finance: Saint Lucia is highlighted as a sub-regional leader in debt management, citing reforms and a Commonwealth Meridian system. Energy & Food Systems: A planning grant supports a major solarised aquaponics facility at the Archbishop Kelvin Felix Pastoral Centre. Youth Policy: The 2025–2030 National Youth Policy is now in effect, with plans to move from document to action.