AGP Executive Report

Digital Skills Push: The Caribbean Science Foundation is rolling out the Caribbean Computer Coding Workshops (C3W) to close ICT gaps, targeting low-income youth, girls and young women, and persons with disabilities—because coding is becoming as basic for entry-level jobs as spreadsheets. Public Health Tech Upgrade: CARPHA says Saint Lucia’s new Molbio rapid PCR platform is now operational, delivering multi-disease detection in under two hours, and Dominica is among the 10 islands already installed under the Pandemic Fund rollout. Regional Tourism Meets Data: CHTA and Amadeus unveiled the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report, showing overseas demand up only 1% year-on-year, with Latin America driving growth and the region shifting toward smarter, higher-value targeting. Tech in the News, but Local Impact: Dominica’s Library Week (May 18–23) is themed around knowledge, culture and innovation—an education angle that fits the week’s broader push for future-ready skills. Earthquake Watch: A 6.0 quake shook the Eastern Caribbean on May 16, with tremors felt across multiple islands.

Digital Skills Push: The Caribbean Science Foundation has launched the Caribbean Computer Coding Workshops (C3W) to close ICT gaps, targeting low-income youth, girls and young women, and persons with disabilities—because coding is becoming as basic for entry-level jobs as spreadsheets. Public Health Tech: CARPHA says Molbio rapid PCR testing platforms are now installed across 10 countries, including Dominica and Saint Lucia, cutting outbreak detection to under two hours. Regional Tourism Tech & Data: CHTA and Amadeus unveiled the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report, pointing to a shift toward higher-value, year-round demand—Latin America is the standout growth engine. Earthquake Aftershocks: A powerful 6.0 quake rattled the Eastern Caribbean on May 16, with tremors felt across multiple islands and no major tsunami threat reported. Community & Inclusion: UNESCO highlighted classroom efforts in Dominica to bridge language barriers for students from across the region.

LGBTQ+ Reparations Push: ERAO SVG has launched a National Call for Reparations for LGBT Vincentians on IDAHOBIT, spotlighting how same-sex relations remain criminalised in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and how protections against discrimination are still missing across key areas like work, health, housing, and services. Earthquake Alert: A powerful 6.0 quake rattled the Eastern Caribbean on May 16, with strong shaking reported across multiple islands and no major tsunami threat flagged. Faster Outbreak Testing: Saint Lucia has completed a new rapid PCR system under CARPHA’s Molbio rollout, aiming to detect multiple infectious diseases in under two hours to speed up isolation and response. Tourism Tech & Growth: CHTA and Amadeus released the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report, pointing to smarter, higher-value demand—especially from Latin America—and a shift toward year-round, experience-led travel. Dominica in the Spotlight: Dominica’s Gregor Nassief is set to lead CHTA as president-elect, a first for a Dominica hotelier.

Earthquake Watch: A powerful, shallow 6.0 quake hit the Eastern Caribbean on May 16 around 10:50am AST, with initial readings later revised from 6.5 to 6.0. Residents across Antigua, Barbuda, Dominica and nearby islands reported strong shaking, though there were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries. The epicentre was about 80 km northeast of St. John’s, Antigua, at roughly 31 km depth, and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no major tsunami threat. Public Health Tech: Saint Lucia has completed a new rapid PCR testing platform, capable of detecting multiple infectious diseases in under two hours, as part of CARPHA’s Molbio rollout across 10 member states. Regional Tourism Tech: CHTA and Amadeus unveiled the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report, pointing to a shift toward higher-value, data-driven demand—plus Dominica’s continued momentum, with a Dominica hotelier, Gregor Nassief, named president-elect of CHTA. Food Security & Resilience: OECS and Dominica pushed a root-and-tuber push at a symposium aimed at reclaiming food sovereignty and strengthening climate resilience.

Earthquake Watch: A powerful 6.0 quake struck northeast of Antigua and Barbuda on Saturday morning, at about 31 km depth, with strong shaking reported across multiple islands including Dominica, St. Lucia, and the British Virgin Islands—no immediate reports of major damage or injuries. Faster Outbreak Detection: Saint Lucia says its new rapid PCR testing platform is now operational, with results for multiple diseases in under two hours, joining a 10-country Molbio rollout supported by the Pandemic Fund. Regional Health Capacity: CARPHA also confirms the wider Molbio installations across the region, aiming to speed up isolation and surveillance for threats from influenza and malaria to Nipah and norovirus. Tourism Tech & Strategy: The CHTA and Amadeus 2026 Travel Trends Report points to a shift toward higher-value, data-driven tourism—while Dominica’s Gregor Nassief is named president-elect of the regional hotel body. Food Sovereignty Push: OECS and Dominica back a root and tuber plan to cut import dependence and strengthen climate resilience.

Rapid PCR Rollout: CARPHA says Saint Lucia’s new Molbio rapid PCR platform is now operational, delivering multi-disease results in under two hours—covering threats from COVID-19 and influenza to malaria, TB, cholera, rabies, and even pandemic-potential pathogens like Nipah and norovirus. Regional Health Capacity: The same Pandemic Fund push has completed Molbio installations across 10 CARPHA member states, aiming to speed isolation and strengthen real-time surveillance. Tourism Strategy Shift: CHTA and Amadeus unveiled the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report, showing overseas demand growth cooling to 1% year-on-year, while Latin America and premium travel surge—driving a move toward smarter targeting and year-round demand. Dominica Tech & Community: Dominica’s Library Week 2026 runs May 18–23 under “Empowering Communities through Knowledge, Culture and Innovation,” and fintech coverage highlights how small digital ecosystems are getting more policy-led. Food Sovereignty Push: OECS and Dominica are using a root-and-tuber symposium to reposition ground provisions as climate-resilient, economic drivers.

Rapid Response Upgrade: Saint Lucia has officially finished installing a new Molbio rapid PCR testing platform, now able to detect multiple infectious diseases in under two hours—aimed at speeding outbreak detection and isolation. Regional Health Capacity: CARPHA says the same Molbio rollout is already completed across 10 Caribbean member states under the Pandemic Fund Project, with targets ranging from flu and COVID-19 to malaria, TB, cholera, and even pandemic-potential pathogens like Nipah. Tourism Tech & Strategy: In Antigua, CHTA and Amadeus unveiled the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report, pointing to a shift toward higher-value, year-round demand—especially from Latin America and premium South American travel. Dominica Spotlight: Dominica’s Library Week 2026 runs May 18–23 under “Empowering Communities through Knowledge, Culture and Innovation,” while Dr. Adis King used International Nurses Day to spotlight the role of nurses in patient care. Food Sovereignty Push: OECS and Dominica also set plans to strengthen root and tuber crops as a climate-resilient path to food sovereignty.

Tourism Leadership: Gregor Nassief has been named president-elect of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, a first for a Dominica hotelier, after a unanimous CHTA board vote in Antigua—coming as Dominica posts record growth and leans harder into nature-and-adventure travel. Library Week 2026: Dominica’s Library and Information Service is gearing up for May 18–23 with “Empowering Communities through Knowledge, Culture and Innovation,” pushing reading, creativity, and public use of library services across Roseau and the branches. Nurses in Focus: Former minister Dr. Adis King praised nurses at the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital for their courage and bedside impact on International Nurses Day. Travel Tech Watch: Across France, EU EES biometric border checks are still rolling out unevenly, with travellers reporting queue problems depending on airport and route. Regional Health Tech: CARPHA’s Molbio rapid testing rollout is expanding diagnostic speed across 10 countries, including Dominica, to help spot outbreaks faster.

Caribbean Tourism Strategy: CHTA and Amadeus just unveiled the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report, saying the region is moving into a smarter, higher-value phase—overseas demand is up only 1% year over year, so growth now depends on data-driven targeting, new markets, and turning traveler interest into bookings beyond peak season. Public Health Tech: CARPHA completed a Molbio rapid testing rollout across 10 countries, including Dominica and Saint Lucia, cutting multi-disease PCR turnaround to under two hours and feeding results into weekly regional surveillance. Climate + Food Systems: OECS and Dominica launched a “root and tuber” push to reclaim food sovereignty, positioning ground provisions as climate-resilient, high-value economic drivers. STEM for Local Industry: Dominica’s national STEM Fair opens today under “STEM at Work,” spotlighting student projects meant to solve real-world problems. Intra-Caribbean Travel Push: St. Kitts Tourism Authority visited Dominica to strengthen regional partnerships and boost island-to-island arrivals.

Mid-Year Budget Focus: Economist Amrita Deonarine says any energy “breathing room” should be used for productivity upgrades, labour formalisation, and real fiscal and FX reforms—not just higher current spending. Tourism Tech Shift: A new Caribbean Travel Trends Report from CHTA and Amadeus points to a strategic pivot: slower overall overseas growth, but big momentum from Latin America and a push toward higher-value, experience-led travel powered by smarter targeting. Health Diagnostics Upgrade: CARPHA has rolled out Molbio rapid testing platforms across 10 countries, cutting turnaround to under two hours and strengthening outbreak detection for multiple diseases. Dominica Food Sovereignty: OECS and Dominica used the Root and Tuber Crop Symposium to reposition ground provisions as climate-resilient, high-value drivers—backed by EU funding. STEM in Schools: Dominica’s national STEM Fair opens today, spotlighting student projects on solving real-world problems.

Travel Tech & Tourism: CHTA and Amadeus just released the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report, saying the region is moving into a smarter, higher-value growth phase as overseas demand rises only 1% year over year—while Latin America demand climbs 24% and South America premium travel jumps sharply. Public Health Diagnostics: CARPHA has finished rolling out Molbio rapid testing platforms across 10 countries, including Dominica and Saint Lucia, cutting turnaround to under two hours and expanding fast PCR checks for major diseases. Regional Health Coordination: CARICOM and Spain also signed a new health cooperation deal to strengthen leadership and coordinated action across the Caribbean. Food Sovereignty: OECS and Dominica launched a Root and Tuber Crop Symposium to push climate-resilient “ground provisions” and cut heavy import dependence. Local Tech in Action: Dominica’s STEM Fair is set to showcase student innovation under “STEM at Work.”

Caribbean Travel Tech Push: CHTA and Amadeus just unveiled the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report in Antigua, saying the region is moving into a smarter, higher-value phase—overseas demand is up only 1% year over year, with Latin America surging 24% and premium travel rising, so destinations will need better targeting and faster conversion from interest to bookings. Heat on the Ground: In Barbados, vendors and visitors are feeling harsher, more draining heat at beach and market stalls, with outdoor workers coping without the comfort of air conditioning. Food Sovereignty Drive: Dominica hosted the OECS Root and Tuber Crop Symposium (May 7–8), aiming to turn ground provisions into a climate-resilient, high-value engine—backed by EU funding under the RIGHT programme. Regional Partnerships: St. Kitts Tourism Authority visited Dominica to boost intra-Caribbean travel links, while Dominica also continues STEM and health-focused regional work. Marine Tech Watch: Scientists tested an autonomous underwater glider near Dominica that can listen to sperm whale calls and steer toward them for longer, low-impact monitoring.

Food Sovereignty Push: OECS and Dominica just launched a “definitive regional intervention” to reclaim food sovereignty by upgrading root and tuber crops into climate-resilient, high-value drivers—aimed at cutting the region’s heavy import dependence (some states reportedly up to 90%) and aligning with CARICOM’s “25 by 2025 + 5” push. EU-backed Tech for Farms: The May 7–8 OECS Root and Tuber Crop Symposium in Cabrits was supported by the EU’s 11th EDF RIGHT programme, bringing policymakers, farmers, and technical experts together to reposition staples like dasheen and tania for resilience and jobs. Regional Travel Networking: St. Kitts Tourism Authority visited Dominica to boost intra-Caribbean travel ties, sharing destination updates and market intelligence with local travel partners. Marine AI Breakthrough: Scientists tested an autonomous underwater glider off Dominica that can “listen” to sperm whale clicks and steer toward them for longer, low-impact monitoring. Local STEM Momentum: Dominica’s national STEM Fair is set to showcase student projects under “STEM at Work,” with the public invited to interact.

Food Sovereignty Push: OECS and Dominica just advanced a “definitive regional intervention” at the May 7–8 Root and Tuber Crop Symposium, aiming to turn ground provisions like dasheen and tania into climate-resilient, locally powered staples—backed by the EU’s RIGHT programme. Marine Tech for Conservation: Off Dominica, scientists tested an autonomous underwater glider that listens to sperm whale clicks and steers toward them, moving whale tracking from brief snapshots to longer, low-impact monitoring. STEM Momentum: Dominica’s national STEM Fair opens today under “STEM at Work,” with primary and secondary projects meant to build real-world problem-solving and industry-ready ideas. Health Cooperation: CARICOM and Spain signed a €400,000 health support agreement to strengthen regional leadership and coordinated action on new and existing health threats. Animal Health Watch: Dominica also ran an African Swine Fever sampling pilot with IICA and USDA to boost surveillance and response planning across CARICOM.

U.S. Immigration Pressure: A new Florida law-firm study says Senegal, Burundi and Nigeria face the toughest odds to enter the U.S., with Senegal described as nearly shut out of Green Card paths and tourist/work visas rejected at very high rates. STEM in Dominica: Students are set to showcase projects today at Dominica’s national STEM Fair, “STEM at Work,” with public viewing and hands-on interaction. Dominica Tech for Nature: Scientists tested an autonomous underwater glider off Dominica that can “listen” to sperm whale calls and steer toward them, aiming for longer, low-impact whale tracking. Regional Health Funding: CARICOM and Spain signed a deal to support coordinated Caribbean health leadership and action, including €400,000 for a CARICOM–CARPHA-led initiative. Agriculture Security: Dominica joined a regional African Swine Fever sampling pilot to strengthen surveillance and response planning. Energy Talk: A geothermal push remains a recurring theme, with calls to scale beyond early capacity to cut diesel dependence.

Underclass Spotlight: St. Patrick’s Middle-High School honored more than 100 underclass students on May 5, with certificates for quarter Honor Roll achievers plus SkillsUSA state medalists and perfect attendance and behavior excellence awards. Youth Peace & Inclusion: UNESCO’s Youth for Peace programme highlighted how a newly arrived Guadeloupe student in Dominica bridged a language gap through storytelling and small-group activities—an approach aimed at helping growing Caribbean diversity feel more like belonging. Caribbean Health Boost: CARICOM and Spain signed a new cooperation agreement to fund a €400,000 regional health initiative, with CARPHA and the CARICOM Secretariat jointly delivering coordinated action on new and existing health challenges. Science at Sea (Dominica): Researchers tested an autonomous underwater glider near Dominica that can “listen” to sperm whale clicks and steer toward them for longer, low-impact tracking. Regional Tech & Learning: Dominica’s national STEM Fair is set to showcase student projects under “STEM at Work,” pushing ideas that build real industry capacity.