AGP Executive Report

Sargassum Solution Talks: Antigua and Barbuda is exploring Japanese support for a sargassum processing facility, with officials saying harvesting equipment exists but disposal and foul odours remain the biggest hurdle—Japan may send a technical team to assess and help turn the seaweed into marketable products. Blue Economy in Schools: The Blue Economy marked World Ocean Day with a new pupil-led ocean campaign and mural, aiming to get kids aged 7–11 to carry the message home about protecting and using the island’s vast ocean space. CHOGM Sustainability Push: A recycled bottle-cap mural featuring Sir Rodney Williams and Sir Vivian Richards is part of CHOGM 2026 preparations, linking community engagement with environmental responsibility. Healthy Food Marketing: Hope for the Future in Antigua and Barbuda held a community engagement drive on protecting children from unhealthy food and beverage marketing around schools, backed by regional health and youth partners. Workplace Rights: Union leaders condemned a “master-slave” style industrial relations climate, saying stress, discrimination and harassment are rising as social dialogue breaks down. Tourism Inclusion: Two Antigua resorts publicly reaffirm LGBTQ+ welcome, sparking debate online as the region competes for visitors. Visa Pressure on Tourism: A Caribbean tourism leader’s US visa renewal was denied, highlighting tightening travel and visa scrutiny tied to citizenship-by-investment concerns. Sewage & Coast Protection: Ahead of CHOGM, Minister Rawdon Turner met partners on sustainable development priorities, including modernising sewage treatment to protect public health and the environment.

Workers’ Rights: Union leaders in Antigua and Barbuda are condemning a “master-slave” style workplace culture, saying breakdowns in social dialogue are driving stress, discrimination, and harassment. HR & Skills: The UWI Global Campus and CaIHRM signed an MOU to strengthen HR training, credentials, and applied research across the Caribbean. Sargassum Solution: Antigua and Barbuda is exploring Japanese technical support to turn recurring sargassum into marketable products, with disposal and foul odors flagged as key hurdles. Blue Economy & Oceans: On World Ocean Day, the Blue Economy marked the ocean’s vast scale with school-focused outreach, plus a mural project celebrating marine stewardship. Heat & Health: Doctors report heat-related dehydration symptoms, warning El Niño could bring more extreme temperatures. CHOGM Prep & Sustainability: A recycled bottle-cap CHOGM mural is unveiled, while ministers push sustainable development priorities including sewage upgrades and cleaner urban systems. Tourism & Community: A new Grassroots Cricket Academy camp is set to run June 29–July 17, and officials inspected Potters Playing Field redevelopment ahead of CHOGM.

CHOGM 2026 Build-Up & Community Sports: Officials inspected the Potters Playing Field redevelopment as construction speeds toward November, with new hard courts for basketball, netball and volleyball plus lighting, fencing and spectator stands. Climate & Health Watch: The Medical Association says patients are reporting dehydration and heat exposure symptoms as El Niño-driven hotter conditions loom, urging people—especially seniors and those with limited mobility—to recognize warning signs early. Ocean & Biodiversity Education: The Blue Economy marked World Ocean Day with a children-led mural campaign and a new public ocean artwork unveiled from students’ designs, aiming to boost ocean stewardship and climate action. Sewage & Coast Protection: Minister Rawdon Turner met Sustainable Markets Initiative representatives ahead of CHOGM, flagging urgent sewage treatment upgrades in St. John’s as key to protecting public health and the environment. Archives Under Threat: National Archives staff say climate control upgrades reduced mold risk, but a leaking roof still needs repair to prevent renewed damage during heavy rains. Conservation at Byams Wharf: PABRO and ABEF-backed work targets illegal dumping at an Important Bird Area/Key Biodiversity Area, removing waste and strengthening monitoring. Regional Policy & Services: Antigua and Barbuda will host an OECS specialised services sector training programme (June 29–July 2) to strengthen resilience and competitiveness in services markets.

Health & Climate Impacts: Doctors in Antigua and Barbuda report heat-related symptoms, including dehydration, as El Niño conditions are expected to intensify later in 2026—especially affecting elderly and people with limited mobility. Blue Economy & Ocean Stewardship: The Department of the Blue Economy marked World Ocean Day with a mural and a children’s ocean art contest, using school projects to build early awareness of ocean health, climate regulation, and biodiversity. Coastal Pollution & Sewage: Minister Rawdon Turner met with the Sustainable Markets Initiative ahead of CHOGM 2026, flagging urgent needs to modernize St. John’s sewage treatment to protect public health and the environment. Biodiversity Protection: PABRO, with support from the Antigua and Barbuda Environment Foundation, is tackling illegal dumping at Byams Wharf, an Important Bird Area and Key Biodiversity Area. Regional Resilience Planning: CDEMA leadership praised Antigua and Barbuda’s new resilience roadmap, while regional disaster preparedness meetings continue to push for stronger readiness. Sustainability in Education: AUA donated whiteboards and flip charts to ABCAS, with supplies earmarked for the School of Agriculture as agricultural sustainability remains a national priority.

Climate Risk Alert: The Meteorological Service says there’s no “safe” month in Antigua and Barbuda, with hazards mapped across the year—from hurricanes and flash floods to drought, winter swells, and UV exposure—while summer carries the heaviest risks. Heat & Health: Doctors report rising heat-related symptoms, including dehydration, with warnings for elderly people and those with limited mobility as El Niño drives hotter conditions. Blue Economy for Kids: On World Ocean Day, the Blue Economy Department launched a school-focused ocean campaign and unveiled a mural competition that put children’s marine stewardship ideas on display. Sewage & Coast Protection: Ahead of CHOGM 2026, Minister Rawdon Turner met Sustainable Markets Initiative representatives, flagging urgent sewage treatment upgrades in St. John’s to protect public health and the environment. Waste & Biodiversity: PABRO and ABEF-backed work at Byams Wharf targets illegal dumping at an Important Bird Area/Key Biodiversity Area, aiming to restore habitat and strengthen enforcement. Education for Agriculture: AUA donated whiteboards and flip charts to ABCAS, supporting the college’s incoming School of Agriculture programme and agricultural sustainability goals. Tourism & Resilience: CHOGM preparations also include a recycled bottle-cap mural featuring Sir Rodney Williams and Sir Vivian Richards, linking community engagement with sustainability messaging.

Blue Economy & Ocean Education: Antigua and Barbuda marked World Ocean Day with a new school-focused Blue Economy campaign, including a mural project aimed at getting kids aged 7–11 to carry ocean and climate messages home. CHOGM 2026 Momentum: A recycled bottle-cap mural at the Antigua Recreation Grounds is building public engagement for CHOGM, while ministers also met Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) representatives to line up support for sustainable development priorities ahead of the summit. Sewage & Urban Resilience: Sustainable development talks flagged urgent work on St. John’s sewage treatment infrastructure, alongside plans for more accessible urban corridors. Heat & Health Alerts: Local doctors report patients with dehydration and heat-related symptoms as El Niño drives hotter, riskier conditions. Waste & Wildlife Protection: PABRO and the Antigua and Barbuda Environment Foundation (ABEF) are tackling illegal dumping at Byams Wharf, an Important Bird Area, to protect biodiversity. Climate Risk Planning: The Met Office warned that every month brings some hazard, with summer carrying the heaviest concentration of threats. Education for Sustainability: AUA donated classroom supplies to ABCAS, including support for its incoming School of Agriculture programme.

Heat & health: The Medical Association says more patients are showing dehydration and heat-exposure symptoms as El Niño drives hotter, more extreme weather. Climate risk planning: The Met Office warns there are hazards in every month, with summer carrying the heaviest mix of hurricanes, flash floods, drought risk and UV exposure. Disaster resilience: CDEMA’s chief praised Antigua and Barbuda’s new five-year resilience roadmap as a sector-wide plan to protect lives and livelihoods. Blue economy & ocean stewardship: The Blue Economy Department unveiled a World Ocean Day mural competition, turning children’s ocean art into a public message about climate and biodiversity. Waste & recycling momentum: Good Humans 268’s recycled bottle-cap CHOGM mural project highlights a push to change waste habits, with millions of plastic items diverted from landfill over three years. Conservation at Byams Wharf: PABRO, backed by ABEF, is tackling illegal dumping at a key bird and biodiversity site through cleanup and stronger monitoring. Education for sustainability: AUA donated classroom boards and flip charts to ABCAS, supporting its incoming School of Agriculture programme. Community water security: JCI Antigua donated water tanks to Bendals Primary School to boost storage capacity. Eye health spotlight: Antigua and Barbuda’s eye-care advocacy gained recognition at an international conference in Kenya. Green economy skills gap: A UNICEF-commissioned study finds young people across the Eastern Caribbean want green jobs but lack information, training and accessible opportunities.

Heat & Health Alert: The Medical Association says more patients are arriving with dehydration and heat-exposure symptoms as El Niño drives hotter conditions, urging people—especially the elderly and those with limited mobility—to recognize warning signs early. Climate Risk Planning: The Meteorological Service warns there’s no “safe” month, with hazards mapped across the year and summer flagged as the most risk-heavy period for hurricanes, flash floods, drought, and UV exposure. Blue Economy & Ocean Stewardship: The Blue Economy Department unveiled a World Ocean Day mural at the Antigua Recreation Grounds, celebrating marine stewardship through a national art contest. Waste & Recycling Push: Good Humans 268’s CHOGM 2026 bottle-cap mural continues to build momentum for waste change, after diverting millions of plastic items via school-led recycling drives. Conservation at Byams Wharf: PABRO, backed by ABEF, is tackling illegal dumping at a key bird and biodiversity site with debris removal and stronger monitoring. Disaster Resilience: CDEMA praised Antigua and Barbuda’s new five-year resilience roadmap as a sector-wide plan to protect lives and livelihoods as hazards intensify. Education for Sustainability: AUA donated whiteboards and flip charts to ABCAS, supporting its incoming School of Agriculture programme, while Sandals Foundation and Hands Across the Sea expanded literacy support for 1,192 students. Tourism & Community: Antigua and Barbuda promoted culture and Carnival during Caribbean Week in New York, while the Tourism Authority named new marketing leadership.

Youth & Green Jobs: A UNICEF-commissioned study presented at UN House finds young people in Antigua and Barbuda (along with Barbados, Dominica and St Lucia) are not fully connecting climate resilience and green circular economy efforts to real opportunities, pointing to gaps in how information, training and jobs are packaged and reached. Climate Risk Watch: Antigua and Barbuda’s Meteorological Service says every month brings some hazard—from hurricanes and flash floods to drought and UV radiation—while also flagging a short-term drought and sharply low rainfall. Water Stress: May rainfall in Antigua plunged to just 17mm (about a 91% deficit), raising urgent concerns for water security and food supply. Heat Pressure: New temperature comparisons show April–May 2026 running hotter than the same period in 2025, with maximum temperatures driving the rise. Resilience Planning: CDEMA’s executive director praised Antigua and Barbuda’s new five-year resilience framework as a roadmap for protecting lives and livelihoods across sectors. Waste to Value: Good Humans 268’s CHOGM bottle-cap mural at the Antigua Recreation Grounds is expanding, diverting millions of plastic items and pushing a “no such thing as waste” message. Health & Disasters: PAHO urges countries to update health emergency plans as hurricane impacts can disrupt services and raise disease risks. Tourism Leadership: ABTA named Charmaine Spencer as Chief Marketing Officer as the destination builds on early-2026 stayover growth. Scrap Metal Cleanup: Cabinet approved an agreement to remove, process and export scrap metal from Cook’s Landfill to improve safety and environmental conditions. Early Childhood Access: Government plans two new preschool centres and will take over the Sir Luther Wynter Pre-School Child Development Centre to expand access. Blue Economy & Fisheries: CRFM ministers met to advance aquaculture, food security, and climate-disaster resilience, including steps to tackle illegal fishing. Food Policy Push: Regional health leaders renewed calls for stronger healthy food policies to curb the NCD crisis.

Water Security & Drought: Antigua’s Met Service says May rainfall fell 91% year-on-year, with reservoirs dropping fast and drought preparedness urged to protect water, agriculture and food security. Heat Stress: The same climate forum flagged sharper April–May temperature spikes, with higher maximums driving intensifying heat pressures. Waste & Land Safety: Cabinet approved an agreement to remove, process and export scrap metal from Cook’s Landfill at no direct cost to government, aiming to clean up the site and improve public safety. Early Childhood Education: Government plans two new preschool centres (Judges Hill/New Winthorpes and Jennings) and will take over the Sir Luther Wynter Pre-School Child Development Centre to expand access. Youth & Green Skills: A UNICEF-commissioned study finds young people in Antigua and Barbuda want green and circular economy jobs, but lack information, training and reachable opportunities. Disaster Readiness Funding: CDEMA’s executive director briefed Cabinet on rising climate hazards and the need for more sustainable long-term financing for regional disaster resilience. Tourism Leadership: ABTA named Charmaine Spencer as Chief Marketing Officer, as the destination pushes sustainable tourism messaging during Caribbean Week in New York.

Early Childhood Education Expansion: Antigua and Barbuda plans two new preschool centres—one for Judges Hill/New Winthorpes and another for Jennings—plus the government taking over the Sir Luther Wynter Pre-School to widen access, though no construction dates were shared. Water Security Push: JCI Antigua donated water tanks to Bendals Primary under its Adopt-A-School programme, boosting storage ahead of exam season. Drought Alarm: The Met Service reports May rainfall down 91% (17mm vs 200mm last year), with drought preparedness urged to protect water, agriculture and food security. Heat Intensifies: ABMS data shows April–May 2026 maximum temperatures higher than 2025, signalling stronger heat pressure into summer. Waste-to-Art Recycling: Students and PM Browne helped install a CHOGM mural made from recycled bottle caps, reinforcing “no such thing as waste” messaging. Disaster Resilience Funding: Cabinet heard from CDEMA on rising climate disaster risks and the need for more sustainable long-term financing for regional preparedness. Scrap Metal Cleanup: Government approved an agreement to remove and export scrap metal from Cook’s Landfill at no direct cost, aiming to improve safety and environmental conditions. Green Jobs Awareness: A UNICEF-commissioned study finds Eastern Caribbean youth want green and circular economy careers, but face barriers from limited information and training access. Tourism Leadership: ABTA named Charmaine Spencer as Chief Marketing Officer, as the destination targets stronger global growth.

Drought Watch: Antigua’s rainfall collapsed by 91% in May 2026 (17mm vs 200mm in May 2025), pushing reservoirs down and raising urgent water-security, agriculture and food-supply concerns. Heat Pressure: The Met Service also flagged sharper spring temperature rises, with maximum temperatures climbing most noticeably—another warning sign for summer readiness. Disaster Resilience: Cabinet heard CDEMA’s message that climate hazards are getting more frequent, severe and costly, and that the region needs stronger, more sustainable financing for preparedness and recovery. Scrap Cleanup: Government approved an agreement to remove, process and export scrap metal from Cook’s landfill, aiming to cut hazards and rehabilitate the site. Circular Action: Villa Primary students helped install a CHOGM mural made from recycled bottle caps, reinforcing “no such thing as waste” messaging ahead of November’s summit. Youth & Green Jobs: A UNICEF-commissioned study says young people across the Eastern Caribbean want green and circular economy careers, but lack information, training and accessible opportunities. Hurricane Season Health Prep: PAHO urged countries to review health contingency plans as the 2026 season begins, warning that even fewer storms can still disrupt health services. Tourism Leadership: Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority named Charmaine Spencer CMO and Shermain Jeremy Director for the Caribbean and Latin America, as stayover arrivals reportedly rose in early 2026.

Drought Watch: Antigua’s rainfall has collapsed by 91%—May 2026 saw just 17mm versus 200mm in May 2025—prompting urgent water, agriculture, and food security planning. Heat Pressure: The Met Service also flagged rising maximum temperatures in April and May 2026, warning of intensifying heat stress heading into summer. Air Quality Alert: A Saharan dust surge has pushed air quality to moderate levels (AQI 51–70), with advice for children, the elderly, and people with asthma or heart/respiratory conditions to limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Youth & Green Jobs: A UNICEF-commissioned study says young people across the Eastern Caribbean want green and circular economy careers, but lack information, training, and accessible opportunities—findings presented in Antigua and Barbuda. Tourism Leadership: The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority named Charmaine Spencer as Chief Marketing Officer and Shermain Jeremy as Director of Tourism for the Caribbean and Latin America, as stay-over arrivals rise. CHOGM Recycling Drive: Villa Primary students helped install a CHOGM-themed mural made from recycled bottle caps, pushing a “no such thing as waste” message. Disaster Resilience: Antigua hosted BRICS steering talks on disaster risk and climate impacts, including flood mitigation and plans for a regional search-and-rescue training hub.

Water Crisis: Rainfall has plunged 91% in May 2026, with only 17mm recorded, pushing Antigua into moderately dry conditions and raising alarms for water supply, farming and food security. Heat Stress: The Met Service also flagged sharper temperature spikes in April–May 2026 versus 2025, with higher maximums pointing to intensifying heat pressure ahead of summer. Air Quality Alert: A Saharan dust surge has lifted air quality into the moderate range (AQI 51–70), with an Air Pollution Alert Level II and advice for children, the elderly, and people with asthma or heart/lung conditions to limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Waste & Recycling in Action: Students and Prime Minister Browne helped install a CHOGM 2026 mural made from recycled bottle caps, reinforcing the “no such thing as waste” message ahead of the November summit. Disaster Resilience Push: Antigua hosted BRICS steering talks on climate and disaster readiness, including flood mitigation gains and plans to expand community disaster command capacity. Blue Economy & Oceans: Antigua and Barbuda joined the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo, stressing ocean governance, marine planning, and resilience as sea-level rise and reef stress mount. Marine Food Security: CRFM ministers met to advance aquaculture, climate-disaster resilience (including insurance), and continued action against illegal fishing. Local Governance: Cabinet backed a scrap-metal export deal to clear Cook’s Land, and approved taking over the Sir Luther Wynter Pre-School to expand early childhood education.

Health & Environment Governance: Cabinet approved appointments to strengthen the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre board, including Dr. Philmore Benjamin as executive chairman and Dr. Edward Mansoor as deputy chairman, plus other health-sector statutory roles. Waste & Site Cleanup: Government signed an agreement with Atlantic Ship Breakers Antigua Limited to remove, process and export scrap metal from Cook’s Landfill at no direct cost, aiming to restore the site and improve public safety. Early Childhood Education: The state will take over the Sir Luther Wynter Pre-School Child Development Centre as early childhood education expands, with plans for new centres in Judges Hill and other areas. Fisheries & Blue Economy: The CRFM ministerial council met by teleconference, electing Antigua and Barbuda’s Randy Baltimore as chair and focusing on aquaculture, food security, climate/disaster resilience and tackling illegal fishing. Air Quality Alert: Saharan dust pushed air quality to moderate levels (AQI 51–70), with advice for children, the elderly and people with asthma or heart/lung conditions to limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Disaster Resilience (BRICS): Antigua hosted the BRICS programme steering committee, highlighting flood mitigation gains after 2020 flooding and plans for an Antigua-led search and rescue training hub. Tourism Leadership & Sustainability: ABTA named Charmaine Spencer as Chief Marketing Officer and Shermain Jeremy as Director of Tourism for the Caribbean and Latin America, as the country markets new investments while stressing marine and wildlife protection. Public Consultation: Barbuda road rehabilitation consultation opened, releasing environmental and planning documents for 12.6 km of post-Irma recovery works. Legal Watch (Barbuda Airport): Environmental activist John Mussington and Jackie Frank await a High Court ruling after a full hearing on alleged flaws in environmental approvals and consultation for the Barbuda airport project.

Disaster Resilience: Antigua hosted the 7th BRICS Programme Steering Committee meeting, with Minister Kiz Johnson highlighting EU-funded flood mitigation, a community disaster command centre, and plans to make Antigua a regional search-and-rescue training hub. Climate & Health: A Saharan dust surge has pushed air quality into the moderate range, with advice for children, older people, and those with asthma or heart/respiratory conditions to limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Oceans & Blue Economy: Antigua and Barbuda joined the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo, stressing sea-level rise, reef and coastal pressures, and pushing for stronger ocean governance, a Blue Economy Bill, and marine spatial planning. Fisheries & Food Security: CRFM ministers adopted 19 resolutions, backing aquaculture priorities, climate-disaster resilience through insurance, and continued action against IUU fishing; Antigua’s Randy Baltimore was elected chair for 2026–27. Barbuda Infrastructure (Consultation): Government opened public review for Barbuda road and wharf rehabilitation works, releasing environmental and social planning documents tied to post-Irma recovery. Tourism Leadership: ABTA appointed Charmaine Spencer as Chief Marketing Officer and Shermain Jeremy as Director of Tourism for the Caribbean and Latin America, as stay-over arrivals rise. Legal Watch (Environment): Barbuda airport opponents John Mussington and Jackie Frank await a High Court ruling over claims of flawed approvals and consultation. Regional Connectivity: KARULINK partners met in Guadeloupe to plan more sustainable maritime links across Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, and Guadeloupe.