AGP Executive Report

Waste-to-Energy Push: Antigua and Barbuda is accelerating waste management with a regional Waste-to-Energy initiative, backed by a May 19 workshop under the Zero Waste in the Caribbean Project and new landfill tech—officials say a Eurodeck weighbridge will sharpen data on waste volumes and disposal trends. Business & Payments: CIBC Caribbean’s Business Banking Seminar at Sandals Grande Antigua drew strong interest, with a tech spotlight on “Tap on Phone,” letting vendors take card payments via an Android NFC smartphone. Forensics Funding: The US announced US$8M for Caribbean forensic labs, including support for Antigua and Barbuda’s forensic services to boost synthetic drug detection and training. Health Security: With Ebola concerns rising, Antigua and Barbuda is moving to enhanced airport screening and port health surveillance for incoming travelers. Regional Context: The week also included major earthquake follow-ups and ongoing regional climate talks through the OECS.

Public Health Watch: Antigua and Barbuda is stepping up incoming-traveler health screening and port monitoring after the WHO flagged Ebola as a Public Health Emergency, with expanded checks expected to start this weekend and travellers asked to share their travel history for the past 21 days. Education & Community: Five University of Illinois Springfield students helped build a home in Pastores, Guatemala, through a partnership with ImagininGuatemala—bringing electricity, running water and secure doors to a family. Regional Policy: OECS ministers will meet in Dominica May 27–28 for COM:ES 13, focusing on environmental sustainability and resilience. Tech & Inclusion: A new UNESCO cybersecurity workshop for older adults is underway across the region, aiming to boost media literacy and safer digital participation. Local Spotlight: Antigua and Barbuda’s Cabinet has approved Spanish as the nation’s official second language, with curriculum changes planned from pre-school through secondary school.

Global Leadership Shift: Panama just named its first-ever female administrator for the Panama Canal—engineer Ilya Espino de Marotta—starting Oct. 1 as traffic rises and El Niño risks loom. Regional Tech & Skills: Antigua and Barbuda is also pushing capability-building, from a Waste-to-Energy training workshop (NSWMA/UNEP) to a UNESCO cybersecurity push for older adults across the islands. Local Governance & Policy: The Senate’s new minority leader, Chester Hughes, says opposition will be research-led, not political theatre, while the Cabinet approved Spanish as the nation’s official second language, starting with curriculum changes. Health & Inclusion: Antigua researchers presented an accessibility audit on barriers for people with physical disabilities, and the country continues to back medicinal cannabis research via a new UWIFIC partnership. Earthquake Aftermath: A recent 6.1 quake left shelves toppled and businesses assessing damage, with tsunami risk ruled out.

OECS Climate Push: OECS ministers will meet in Dominica May 27–28 for COM:ES 13, focusing on practical climate and resilience solutions for Small Island States. Accessibility Spotlight: Antigua and Barbuda researchers presented an accessibility audit of St. John’s public spaces at UWI Mona, mapping barriers in high-traffic areas and setting up an island-wide assessment. Senate Showdown: Opposition Minority Leader Chester Hughes says the new Senate will be “research-driven,” promising principled debate and constructive bill reviews. Tourism Talent: The CTO is launching a scholarship fund for Caribbean women in tourism, backed by proceeds from a June 1 leadership dinner in New York. Waste-to-Energy Skills: Antigua and Barbuda is building capacity to assess waste-to-energy proposals through regional training with UNEP and partners. Tech & Safety for Seniors: UNESCO’s SIM Caribbean cybersecurity workshop for older adults ran across St. Kitts, Grenada, and Antigua. Earthquake Aftermath: A recent 6.1 quake shook shops and homes, with damage checks underway and tsunami risk reported as low.

Regional Climate Talks: OECS ministers will meet in Dominica May 27–28 for COM:ES 13, focusing on practical ways to boost environmental sustainability and resilience across Small Island States. Education & Skills: Antigua Girls’ High School alum Aayana Evanson is celebrating a master’s in computer science from NYU, with training across Python, C++, JavaScript and even Unreal. Tourism & Connectivity: Barbados is pushing deeper Africa links—resuming monthly Nigeria charters and expanding its tourism presence via a Kenya office—while the wider region keeps debating how to adapt to rising costs and a more digital travel market. Local Impact Watch: Antigua and Barbuda is still processing the recent 6.1 quake’s disruption, with disaster teams assessing damage and tsunami readiness advice circulating. Language Policy: Cabinet has approved Spanish as the nation’s official second language, starting with curriculum changes from pre-school through secondary school.

Spanish Push in Schools: Antigua and Barbuda has approved Spanish as the nation’s official second language, with the curriculum set to be restructured so Spanish becomes a core subject from pre-school through secondary levels, aiming to boost education, diplomacy, tourism, and regional ties. Earthquake Aftermath: A strong 6.1 quake (felt across the Eastern Caribbean) toppled supermarket goods and forced temporary closures and clean-ups, while officials continue damage-cost assessments and tsunami readiness reminders. Tourism Pressure & Digital Shift: Caribbean hotel leaders are warning that rising costs and inflation will squeeze margins, while independent properties are being pushed to strengthen direct booking and adapt to a more digital marketplace. Health & Work Stress: New research highlights how many people can’t fully switch off on holiday—mirroring a wider burnout conversation that’s also hitting teachers, with calls for urgent action. Medicinal Cannabis Research: A new partnership links the Antigua and Barbuda Medicinal Cannabis Authority with the University of the West Indies to expand research, training, and education in the medicinal sector.

Earthquake Aftermath: Antigua and Barbuda are still tallying impacts after a strong Eastern Caribbean quake (reported around 6.1–6.4) shook shelves and businesses, with NODS coordinating community checks and business damage estimates. Disaster Readiness: Climatologist Dale Destin is pushing tsunami awareness and preparedness even though no major tsunami threat was flagged. Language Policy: Cabinet has approved Spanish as the nation’s official second language, with the curriculum set to be restructured from pre-school through secondary. Tourism Pressure: CHTA treasurer Jim Hepple warns inflation and rising operating costs will squeeze hotels, especially independents, as the industry leans harder into direct booking and digital change. Health & Research: A new partnership between UWIC Five Islands Campus and the Medicinal Cannabis Authority formalises research and training for Antigua’s medicinal cannabis sector. Agriculture Focus: Barbados’ new agriculture chief points to praedial larceny, labour shortages, higher inputs, water scarcity and climate pressures—issues the wider region will recognize.

Court Ruling: The Delaware Chancery Court has sent a Sinovac Biotech shareholder dispute to Antigua and Barbuda, arguing the fight over control should be handled where Sinovac is incorporated—an immediate win for local jurisdiction in a case that could still ripple through global vaccine investors. Education Pressure: A teacher burnout warning is getting louder, with union leadership and researchers describing teachers “dropping down dead” and feeling unsupported when they ask for relief. Disaster Watch: The recent 6.1 earthquake left businesses cleaning up after shelves toppled, while NODS continues damage-cost estimates and climatologist Dale Destin pushes tsunami readiness even when no major tsunami threat is expected. Health & Research: UWI Five Islands Campus and the Medicinal Cannabis Authority formalised a research partnership, aiming to move the industry toward credible medicinal products. Language & Skills: Cabinet policy moves Spanish toward a core subject in schools, betting on stronger regional ties and tourism and trade benefits.

Earthquake Aftermath: A strong 6.1 quake shook Antigua and Barbuda and toppled grocery items off shelves, with businesses cleaning up and NODS still tallying damage costs; no injuries were reported, but officials are assessing impacts across the region. Teacher Burnout: A master teacher and the teachers’ union say burnout is becoming a “systemic crisis,” with claims that committed educators are dying and relief from authorities is too slow. Disaster Readiness: Climatologist Dale Destin is pushing tsunami awareness after the quake, stressing preparedness even when no tsunami threat is expected. Health & Research: TriCelX filed an FDA IND for XytriX™ for adults with confirmed or probable CTE, while UWIFIC and the Medicinal Cannabis Authority formalised a research and education partnership. Language Policy: Cabinet approved a plan to make Spanish an official second language, expanding Spanish across the education system. Sports: Cricket West Indies announced a 10-day high-performance ODI camp in Antigua ahead of the Sri Lanka series.

FDA Breakthrough for CTE Therapy: TriCelX has filed an FDA Phase 1/2 IND for XytriX™—positioning it as the first CTE-directed biotherapeutic to move under the Blast Overpressure Safety Act, with RMAT and Breakthrough Therapy requests in the same package. Medicinal Cannabis Research: UWI Five Islands Campus and Antigua and Barbuda’s Medicinal Cannabis Authority formalised a research-and-training partnership via an MOU signed during the ABC Festival. Earthquake Aftermath: A strong Eastern Caribbean quake shook Antigua and Barbuda again, with NODS now tallying damage costs; reports say no injuries, but residents felt intense shaking across multiple islands. Tourism in Motion: Antigua is pushing Spanish as the official second language, while CHTA and Amadeus continue spotlighting a “new strategic phase” for Caribbean tourism—more higher-value, year-round demand. Cricket Build-Up: CWI announced a 10-day high-performance ODI camp in Antigua starting May 21. Digital Safety for Seniors: UNESCO’s SIM Caribbean cybersecurity workshop for older adults ran as a regional hybrid event, including Antigua.

Earthquake Watch: A powerful 6.0 quake hit the Eastern Caribbean on May 16, with Antigua and Barbuda residents reporting strong shaking; the epicentre was about 80 km northeast of St. John’s at roughly 31 km depth, and officials say there’s no major tsunami threat. Language Policy: Antigua and Barbuda’s Cabinet has approved a push to make Spanish the official second language, with Spanish built into pre-school, primary and secondary curricula to boost regional ties and tourism. LGBTQ+ Rights & Justice: In SVG, ERAO SVG launched a National Call for Reparations for LGBT Vincentians on IDAHOBIT, pointing to criminalisation of consensual same-sex relations and gaps in anti-discrimination protections. Tourism & Tech: CHTA’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace is getting a digital boost, with a virtual “digital twin” making the event accessible year-round. Health: A new Commonwealth compendium highlights progress toward cervical cancer elimination, including Antigua and Barbuda’s HPV screening and digital systems.

Caribbean Tourism Power Move: Jamaica will host the second CTO Air Connectivity Summit in Kingston on Feb. 23, 2027, with Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett announcing it at Antigua’s CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace—aimed at tackling capacity gaps, high taxes and fees, and boosting both intra-regional and long-haul links. Cybersecurity for Seniors: UNESCO’s SIM Caribbean Cybersecurity for Older Adults hybrid workshop ran May 13 across St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda, focusing on safe navigation online, media literacy, and fighting misinformation. Health Tech Meets Prevention: The Commonwealth Secretariat launched a compendium of country case studies on cervical cancer elimination, highlighting how HPV-based screening and digital systems are improving coverage in small island settings—including Antigua and Barbuda. Cricket Build-Up in Antigua: CWI confirmed a 10-day high-performance ODI camp at Coolidge (May 21–31) as West Indies sharpen for the Sri Lanka series. Earthquake Jolt: A powerful 6.0 quake rattled the Eastern Caribbean on Saturday, with strong shaking reported across multiple islands but no immediate major damage.

Cricket & National Pride: Cricket West Indies is bringing a 10-day high-performance ODI camp to Antigua (May 21–31) at Coolidge Cricket Ground as West Indies sharpen for next month’s Sri Lanka series in Jamaica, with Daren Sammy leading and Ottis Gibson starting his fast-bowling consultant role. CPL Momentum: The CPL draft has already triggered major roster shake-ups, including Gudakesh Motie leaving the Warriors for the Barbados Tridents and Narine anchoring TKR, setting the tone for a blockbuster 2026 season. Tourism Tech: CHTA’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace is going virtual for the first time, with a permanent digital twin letting global buyers explore the Antigua event year-round. Digital Literacy in the Region: UNESCO’s SIM Caribbean workshops in St. Kitts and across the islands are pushing safer online skills for older adults and youth amid misinformation fears. Local Education Pressure: In Antigua, the teachers’ union is publicly calling out the Ministry over long-delayed school upgrades and unpaid entitlements.

Cybersecurity for Seniors: UNESCO’s SIM Caribbean workshop in St. Kitts (May 13) pushed media and information literacy for older adults, framing digital safety as a right—not a luxury. Tourism Goes Always-On: Antigua hosted the 44th Caribbean Travel Marketplace (May 12–15), now getting a global boost via a permanent virtual “digital twin” so the event can be explored 24/7. Regional Tourism Push: Ahead of the show, CTO and local leaders—including Minister Edmund Bartlett—urged CARICOM to treat tourism as the region’s top economic engine and tackle leaks, skills gaps, and supply-side shortfalls together. Cricket Focus: West Indies named Alzarri Joseph among 17 for a 10-day high-performance ODI camp in Antigua (May 21–30) as the Sri Lanka series approaches. Local Education Pressure: A&BUT’s 100th-anniversary push put Ottos Comprehensive School’s long-promised new wing and teacher conditions back in the spotlight.

Caribbean Tourism Power Play: The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and Amadeus just unveiled the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report in Antigua, signaling a shift from “recovery mode” to smarter, higher-value growth—overseas demand rose just 1% year-on-year, while Latin America surged (Latin America +24%, premium South America +117%). Regional Leadership in Focus: At the same time, CHTA confirmed Dominica hotelier Gregor Nassief as president-elect, a first for a Dominica hotelier, as the region pushes for stronger integration and tourism as a top CARICOM priority. Antigua on the Sports Map: Cricket West Indies is running a 10-day high-performance ODI prep camp in Antigua (May 21–31) ahead of the West Indies series vs Sri Lanka. Local Pressure Points: Antigua’s teachers’ union marks 100 years while calling out education conditions and delays, and the government is also dealing with emergency-room overcrowding plans at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.

Tourism Strategy Shift: Antigua is hosting the Caribbean Travel Marketplace as CHTA and Amadeus roll out the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report, showing overseas demand up only 1% year-on-year but Latin America surging (24% overall; premium South America up sharply), pushing the region toward smarter targeting, higher-value visitors, and year-round demand. Regional Leadership Push: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is urging CARICOM to treat tourism as the region’s top economic priority and tackle leaks, skills gaps, and supply-side readiness together. Local Governance Pressure: The A&BUT president marked teachers’ week by calling out stalled promises at Ottos Comprehensive School—especially a long-delayed new wing and unpaid salary entitlements—warning patience with the Ministry is running out. Sports & Training: Cricket West Indies is running a 10-day high-performance ODI camp in Antigua (May 21–31) ahead of the Sri Lanka series, with senior players and new coaching support. Health System Fixes: Health Minister Michael Joseph says changes are coming to Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre’s emergency room to ease overcrowding, including moving dialysis and shifting other services.