AGP Executive Report

Water Security Breakthrough: Nobel Prize-winning chemist Omar Yaghi’s team is developing a device that can produce up to 1,000 litres of clean drinking water per day by pulling moisture from the air using metal-organic materials and solar heat. Toxic Pesticide Accountability: French MPs say the state shares responsibility for long-term harm from chlordecone (Kepone) used in banana plantations in Martinique and Guadeloupe, with research cited showing about 90% contamination and links to cancers and other health effects. Disaster Readiness in the Antilles: “Operation Caraïbes 26” is running until June 4, training multinational forces for a simulated major cyclone response, including engineering, rescue, and infrastructure recovery units with Martinique and Guadeloupe RSMA regiments. Climate Stress Across the Region: Caribbean islands are facing harsher drought and heat patterns in 2026, with a strong El Niño driving extreme conditions that threaten water supplies, ecosystems, and agriculture. Regional Health Supply: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS are convening a workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe medicines and health technologies across Eastern Caribbean states through better procurement and pooled purchasing.

Pesticide Accountability: French lawmakers voted to acknowledge the state’s partial responsibility for allowing chlordecone (Kepone) to be used in the French West Indies despite health warnings, with research cited by ANSES saying about 90% of people in Martinique and Guadeloupe were contaminated; the chemical has been linked to cancers and other long-term harms. Disaster Response Training: “Operation Caraïbes 26” is underway until June 4, a multinational Antilles exercise simulating a major cyclone and deploying specialized units including Martinique and Guadeloupe RSMA regiments to improve cross-border humanitarian disaster relief coordination. Climate Pressure: The Caribbean is facing major 2026 climate shifts—drought, rising seas, and extreme heat tied to a strong El Niño pattern—threatening water supplies, ecosystems, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure. Health & Medicines Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will hold a joint planning workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to launch a technical working group focused on safer, quality-assured medicines and better pooled procurement across OECS states. Trade Links With Martinique: Saint Lucia is advancing plans with Martinique through cross-ministerial talks aimed at practical export growth, including product testing, certification, traceability, and compliance under CARIFORUM-EU frameworks.

Climate & Water Stress: The Caribbean is seeing major 2026 climate swings—prolonged droughts, rising seas, and a strong El Niño pattern driving heat and erratic rainfall—threatening aquifers, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure. Disaster Readiness: In the Antilles, “Operation Caraïbes 26” is running until June 4, with multinational training for cyclone-scale humanitarian response, including Martinique’s RSMA units and specialized engineering, rescue, and route-recovery teams. Health Tech Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS are convening a regional workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies, including pooled procurement and stronger supply chains. Environment & Marine Risk: Dominica is hosting regional SARSEA meetings on sargassum management, with plans shaping field work in Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Regional Trade & Tech Partnerships: Saint Lucia is advancing practical trade and investment cooperation with Martinique, including import-export facilitation for specific product categories and work toward a more structured regional framework.

Disaster Readiness: Liberty Caribbean says it’s ready for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, highlighting network resilience and faster recovery after Hurricane Melissa. Regional Emergency Training: Armed Forces in the Antilles are running Operation Caribbean 26 through June 4, with Martinique and Guadeloupe units practicing disaster relief for a simulated major cyclone. Climate Pressure: Caribbean islands are facing harsher 2026 conditions—drought, sea-level rise, and extreme heat linked to a strong El Niño—threatening water supplies, farms, and tourism infrastructure. Health Tech Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe medicines and health technologies, including pooled procurement and stronger supply chains. Sargassum Response: SARSEA meetings in Dominica bring together regional experts to shape national sargassum plans, with field work in Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Trade & Tech Links for Martinique: Saint Lucia is pushing practical trade and investment cooperation with Martinique, including import-export facilitation for specific products and steps to meet testing, certification, and logistics needs. Culture & Vodou: International Vodou Day activities in New Orleans spotlight Afro-Caribbean rhythms and practitioners from across the region, including Martinique.

Rum Tourism Growth: Caribbean rum is shifting from a “nice extra” to a full brand strategy, blending heritage, hospitality, education and retail as premium experience demand stays resilient even while some alcohol channels soften. Historical Reckoning in France: French port cities are debating how to publicly confront slavery and colonialism, as national moves to repeal the “Code Noir” reopen questions about memory in France and its overseas territories. Disaster-Response Drills: France’s Armed Forces in the Antilles are running Operation Caraïbes 26 until June 4, with multinational training for a simulated major cyclone response, including Martinique and Guadeloupe RSMA units. Climate Pressure Across the Caribbean: A prolonged dry spell and “Super El Niño” conditions are driving extreme heat and unpredictable rainfall, stressing water supplies, ecosystems and tourism infrastructure. Health Tech Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS are convening a regional workshop to improve access to safe medicines and health technologies, focusing on procurement, supply chains and quality assurance. Sargassum Coordination: SARSEA meetings in Dominica are shaping national sargassum plans, with field missions planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Martinique–Saint Lucia Trade Links: Talks are underway to expand practical export cooperation between Saint Lucia and Martinique, including import-export facilitation for targeted products. Martinique in the Wider World: A tall-ship training vessel (HMS Gladan) is among international sail arrivals tied to Sail 250 celebrations, highlighting ongoing maritime exchange.

Disaster Readiness: The Armed Forces in the Antilles are running “Operation Caribbean 26” until June 4, a multinational disaster-response drill simulating a major Category 4 cyclone hitting the Antilles, with Martinique and Guadeloupe’s RSMA units placed under FAA command and deploying teams for engineering reconnaissance, research/intelligence, route recovery, light intervention, protection, and rescue/unloading. Climate & Water Stress: Across the Caribbean, 2026 climate shifts are bringing prolonged drought, sea-level rise, and extreme heat linked to a strong El Niño pattern, with rainfall dropping below normal and freshwater supplies strained—raising pressure on aquifers, reservoirs, and agriculture. Health Tech Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a May 28–29 workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies, launching a regional technical working group focused on procurement, supply chains, quality assurance, and pooled purchasing. Marine Cleanup Planning: More than 60 regional professionals are meeting in Dominica under SARSEA to develop national sargassum strategic plans, with field activities in Martinique and Guadeloupe planned to start June 1. Trade & Innovation Links: Saint Lucia is pushing practical trade and investment cooperation with Martinique, including work toward import-export facilitation for 15 products and a more structured regional framework under CARIFORUM-EU.

Climate Watch: The Caribbean is seeing major 2026 shifts—drought lingering as rainfall drops below normal, aquifers and reservoirs under strain, and a strong El Niño pattern driving extreme heat and unpredictable storms—raising risks for ecosystems, farming, and tourism infrastructure. Health & Medicines: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS are convening a workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies, including a formal launch of a regional technical working group focused on procurement, supply chains, quality assurance, and pooled purchasing. Marine Cleanup Planning: More than 60 regional professionals are meeting in Dominica under SARSEA to shape national strategic plans for sargassum management, with follow-up field missions planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Trade Links: Saint Lucia is moving to strengthen practical trade, investment, and cultural cooperation with Martinique, including product testing, certification, logistics, and a more structured regional framework tied to CARIFORUM-EU. Regional Air Travel: Caribbean Airlines will cut services to Dominica and St. Kitts and reduce flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly, citing reliability and financial stability after route reviews flagged major losses.

Health Tech & Medicines: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will hold a two-day workshop in Saint Lucia (28–29 May) to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies, launching a regional technical working group focused on procurement, supply chains, quality assurance, and pooled purchasing. Sargassum Response: More than 60 regional professionals meet in Dominica under the SARSEA programme (May 26–28) to shape national strategic plans for sargassum management, with field missions planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Regional Trade Links: Saint Lucia and Martinique are pushing practical trade and investment cooperation after meetings with a French delegation, including import-export facilitation for 15 products and work toward stronger CARIFORUM-EU implementation. Aviation & Connectivity: Caribbean Airlines will cut routes to Dominica and St. Kitts and reduce Martinique and Guadeloupe service to twice weekly from June 1, citing route losses and planning concerns. Security Cooperation: A review of France’s 2025 Haiti support highlights €45m funding, including equipment and training for Haitian police units and continued Antilles-based training for Haitian soldiers in Martinique. Environment & Marine Planning: SARSEA’s regional workshops are expected to feed directly into upcoming Caribbean field activities, tying regional coordination to local action.

Health & Medicines: PAHO/WHO and the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement Service will convene a May 28–29 workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, effective health technologies across the Eastern Caribbean, including launching a regional technical working group focused on procurement, supply chains, quality assurance, and pooled buying. Marine Environment: SARSEA meetings in Dominica (May 26–28) bring together regional experts to tackle the sargassum surge, with plans for field missions starting June 1 in Martinique and Guadeloupe. Regional Trade & Tech Readiness: Saint Lucia and Martinique are pushing practical export links after meetings with a French delegation, with attention on testing, packaging, logistics, traceability, certification, and compliance—aiming to operationalize CARIFORUM-EU cooperation. Security Cooperation: France reports €45M in Haiti support for 2025, including equipment and training for the Haitian National Police and continued Antilles-based training for Haitian soldiers. Aviation Shock: Caribbean Airlines will cut routes to Dominica and St. Kitts and reduce Martinique/Guadeloupe service to twice weekly, citing losses and reliability concerns.

Eastern Caribbean Health Tech: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will hold a two-day workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies, including launching a regional technical working group to strengthen procurement, supply chains, quality assurance, and pooled buying. Sargassum Response: More than 60 regional experts meet in Dominica under the SARSEA programme to shape national strategic plans for sargassum management, with follow-up field work planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Martinique–Saint Lucia Trade: Saint Lucia and Martinique are stepping up cooperation after meetings with French delegation support, focusing on practical export growth and market-readiness needs like testing, packaging, logistics, traceability, and certification. Aging & Nutrition (France): A French research director highlights newly identified “ageing hallmarks,” while a separate report points to France’s stabilised childhood obesity rates and diet habits. Regional Air Links: Caribbean Airlines will cut some Eastern Caribbean routes and reduce service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly, citing reliability and financial losses.

Eastern Caribbean Health Tech: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a Joint Planning Workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies, including launching a PAHO/WHO–OECS Technical Working Group to coordinate procurement, supply chains, quality assurance, and pooled buying. Sargassum Response: More than 60 regional professionals meet in Dominica under the SARSEA programme (May 26–28) to shape national strategic plans for sargassum management, with follow-up field missions planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Martinique–Saint Lucia Trade Links: Saint Lucia’s government says it’s advancing practical trade and investment cooperation with Martinique after meetings with a French delegation, focusing on export readiness like testing, packaging, logistics, traceability, certification, and compliance. Aging & Biomed Research: A French longevity researcher highlights 14 hallmarks of ageing and key “pivotal” ages tied to accelerated ageing, pointing to potential lessons for healthier ageing. Regional Air Travel Shake-up: Caribbean Airlines will cut some Eastern Caribbean routes and reduce Martinique and Guadeloupe service to twice weekly from June 1, citing reliability and financial losses. Maritime Skills & Public Events: Sweden’s tall ship HMS Gladan is set to dock in New Orleans for Sail 250, with cadets training in traditional navigation and sail handling, plus public tours and events. Diaspora & Agriculture: Grenada’s diaspora homecoming will include “Spice Replanting Day” to help restore nutmeg and spice trees damaged by recent hurricanes.

Maritime Safety & Skills: A professional skipper, Vicky Ellis, describes how she managed an Atlantic emergency after broken shrouds left her with two young children onboard, including tough decisions about space for safety gear. Caribbean–Africa Trade: PM Dickon Mitchell urged deeper Africa–Caribbean trade and investment ties, pointing to tech, youth, tourism, and innovation partnerships. Health Tech Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will run a 28–29 May workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe medicines and health technologies, launching a regional technical working group focused on procurement and supply systems. Sargassum Response: More than 60 regional experts meet in Dominica under SARSEA to shape national sargassum plans, with field work planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Regional Trade Links: Saint Lucia is pushing practical export and investment cooperation with Martinique, including product testing, certification, and logistics improvements. Air Travel Shock: Caribbean Airlines will cut some Eastern Caribbean routes and reduce service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly, after losses tied to earlier network expansion. French Slavery Legacy: France moves to repeal the “Code Noir” and Macron says France and Ghana will launch an international scientific research project on the legacies of enslavement and possible reparatory paths.

Maritime Safety & Skills: A professional skipper, Vicky Ellis, describes how she handled a transatlantic emergency after broken shrouds while sailing with two young children, balancing family needs with critical gear like an EPIRB. Trade & Innovation Links: PM Dickon Mitchell calls for deeper Africa–Caribbean trade and investment cooperation, highlighting opportunities in arts, education, tourism, youth engagement and technology partnerships. Health Tech & Medicines 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, launching a technical working group focused on procurement and supply systems. Environment & Marine Risk: Dominica hosts SARSEA meetings as regional experts push national strategic plans to manage sargassum, with field activities planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Regional Air Travel Shock: Caribbean Airlines will cut routes to Dominica and St. Kitts and reduce service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly, after losses tied to earlier network expansion. Local Science Policy & History: France moves to repeal the “Code Noir” and Macron says reparations for slavery legacies must be addressed, alongside a planned international scientific research project with Ghana. Regional Trade Facilitation: Saint Lucia and Martinique are advancing practical steps to strengthen trade and investment, including import-export facilitation for specific product categories.

Sargassum Management: More than 60 regional environmental professionals met in Dominica under the SARSEA programme to shape National Strategic Plans for tackling the growing sargassum problem, with follow-up field work planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Regional Air Links: Caribbean Airlines will cut routes, ending services to Dominica and St. Kitts and reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly, citing losses of over US$18.84 million and concerns about earlier route planning. Trade & Logistics: France’s ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean says stronger trade ties between Saint Lucia and Martinique are in the works, including import-export facilitation for 15 products. Aging & Health Research: A French longevity researcher highlights 14 hallmarks of ageing and points to key ages linked to accelerated decline, while discussing lifestyle factors. Science, History & Policy: France moves to repeal the “Code Noir” and Macron calls for addressing slavery legacies, including an international scientific research project with Ghana on possible reparatory recommendations.

Sargassum Response in the Region: More than 60 environmental professionals are meeting in Dominica for SARSEA talks on managing the growing sargassum problem, with plans to shape field work starting June 1 in Martinique and Guadeloupe. Air Travel Shock for the Eastern Caribbean: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes—ending Dominica and St. Kitts services and reducing Martinique and Guadeloupe flights to twice weekly—citing losses topping US$18.8 million and questions about earlier expansion planning. Trade Links Could Tighten: France’s ambassador says Saint Lucia and Martinique are working to boost imports and exports, including a plan to streamline trade for 15 products. Culture & Heritage: A Hanukkah lamp tied to a once-thriving Jewish community on St. Eustatius highlights the islands’ overlooked role in the American Revolution. France’s Slavery Reckoning: French MPs back repealing the “Code Noir,” while Macron says reparations for slavery’s legacy must be addressed—without promising a specific financial fix.

Sargassum Response in the Spotlight: More than 60 regional environmental professionals are meeting in Dominica under the SARSEA programme to shape national plans for tackling the growing sargassum problem, with field missions for Martinique and Guadeloupe set to begin June 1. Regional Air Travel Shock: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes—ending services to Dominica and St. Kitts and reducing the Ogle, Guyana-to-Suriname link—while trimming flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly, after losses topped US$18.8 million and lawmakers questioned the earlier expansion’s planning. Trade Talks for Martinique and Saint Lucia: France’s ambassador says import-export facilitation is in motion for 15 product categories between the islands, aiming to turn proximity into real market growth. Culture & Community: A Hanukkah lamp tied to a once-thriving Jewish community on St. Eustatius is being highlighted as a reminder of Caribbean links to the American Revolution. Caribbean Life, Too: Tall ships and navy vessels are set to bring public tours and events to New Orleans for Sail 250.