AGP Executive Report

Tourism: Saint Lucia and its tourism businesses collected 38 international honours, including Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon and Adventure Tourism destinations and the World’s Best Corporate Retreat Destination. Water Supply: WASCO says infrastructure problems have stalled the northern pipeline upgrade, with no new completion date announced. The project aims to improve supply reliability for the north. Democracy: A special parliamentary sitting marked 75 years of universal adult suffrage. Former St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves urged Saint Lucia to continue its social-democratic progress. Youth: Junior Minister Tiffany Jn Jacques represented Saint Lucia at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Youth Congress. Three Saint Lucian athletes are also set to compete at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar later this month. Culture: The Cultural Development Foundation is urging the public to celebrate La Magéwit, with its main Gwan Fèt scheduled for October 17.

Water Supply: WASCO says unexpected infrastructure problems have stalled the northern pipeline upgrade, with no new completion date announced. Saint Lucia is also warning of drought risk as reservoir levels remain at record lows. Youth: Three Saint Lucian athletes will compete at the Youth Olympics in Dakar later this month. Junior Minister Tiffany Jn Jacques represented the island at the CTO Youth Congress, where Anguilla’s Amarni Webster won. Culture: La Magéwit celebrations are set for October 17, with the Cultural Development Foundation urging public support and participation in Friday’s Colours Day. Musician Mr Platinum’s new album, Butter Cup ’26, honours his late father, cultural icon Hubert “Breeze” Fevrier. Tourism: A new underwater sculpture park at Anse La Verdure is scheduled to open in November, celebrating Saint Lucian heritage while adding a new dive attraction. Education: Julien Alfred donated 50 copies of a children’s book about her journey to help inspire young readers across the island.

Water Supply: WASCO says unexpected infrastructure problems have stalled the northern pipeline upgrade, with no revised completion date announced. Youth and Literacy: Julien Alfred donated 50 copies of a children’s book about her journey to a Saint Lucian charity for distribution to schools. Youth Olympics: Three Saint Lucian athletes will compete in swimming and athletics at the Dakar Games, beginning October 31. Tourism and Heritage: A new underwater sculpture park at Anse La Verdure is set to open in November, featuring 31 works celebrating Saint Lucian history and identity. Travel: The UK has ended visa-free entry for Saint Lucian visitors, who will now need visas; the change follows concerns about asylum claims. Schools Sport: SJC, the Saint Lucia Sports Academy, SALCC and defending champions Vieux Fort Comprehensive kept their winning starts in the Under-19 netball tournament. Regional Tourism: Caribbean stayover arrivals grew 1.9% in the first half of 2026, while cruise visits jumped 11% to a record 21.7 million.

Culture: The Cultural Development Foundation is urging Saint Lucians to wear blue or purple on October 16 and support La Magéwit’s Gwan Fèt on October 17, celebrating one of the island’s traditional flower festivals. Tourism: Caribbean stayover arrivals grew just 1.9% in the first half of 2026, while cruise visits rose 11% to a record 21.7 million. Saint Lucia placed second to Bermuda in Condé Nast Traveler’s regional island rankings. Travel: Saint Lucians have lost visa-free entry to the UK and will now need visas to visit, under new rules aimed at curbing asylum claims. Water: Saint Lucia has warned of drought risk as reservoir levels remain at record lows. Justice: The Caribbean Court of Justice held its first ceremonial opening and travelling sittings in Saint Lucia, marking a milestone for the island’s role in the court. Sport: Sea Jays won the national short-course swimming championships, led by Sapphire Parks, who broke five age-group records.

Travel Alert: The UK has removed Saint Lucia from its visa-free list, meaning visitors will need visas to travel there. Culture: The Cultural Development Foundation is calling on Saint Lucians to wear blue or purple on October 16 for La Magéwit Colours Day, ahead of the Gwan Fèt celebration on October 17. Water Security: Saint Lucia faces drought risk as reservoirs remain at record lows; separate upgrades are expected to improve water supply in 10 Micoud North communities. Tourism: Saint Lucia placed second behind Bermuda in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 island rankings, with Bermuda leading by 1.07 points. Swimming: Sea Jays won the National Swim Championships, while Sapphire Parks set five age-group records and won all 11 of her events. Women’s Safety: Saint Lucia’s Women’s Parliamentary Caucus is urging trauma-informed support for domestic violence survivors and faster, more sensitive handling of reports.

Youth & Sport: Olympic champion Julien Alfred donated 50 books about her journey to a Saint Lucian charity for schools, while the SLFA is shaping a 2026–2030 women’s football plan focused on grassroots participation and stronger pathways for players. Water Security: Saint Lucia faces heightened drought risk, with reservoirs at record lows and below-average rainfall forecast. WASCO says the Patience water project, expected to improve supply to 10 communities, is about 85% complete and due to finish in December. The utility has also launched online bill payment and account services. Justice & Safety: Saint Lucia hosted the Caribbean Court of Justice’s first travelling sitting and ceremonial opening outside Trinidad. The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus is calling for more sensitive, private and efficient handling of domestic violence cases. Workplaces: Labour officers inspected Soufrière establishments to check conditions and compliance with the Labour Act.

Youth and Reading: Olympic champion Julien Alfred donated 50 books about her journey to a Saint Lucian charity, which plans to distribute them to schools. Women’s Football: The SLFA is shaping its 2026–2030 strategy, with a focus on grassroots participation, competition and pathways for women players. Water Security: Saint Lucia faces heightened drought risk, with reservoirs at record lows; the Patience water project, expected to improve supply to 10 Micoud North communities, is about 85% complete. Women’s Safety: The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus is calling for trauma-informed support, privacy protections and more effective handling of domestic violence cases. Justice: Saint Lucia hosted the CCJ’s first ceremonial opening and travelling sittings outside Trinidad, marking a milestone for the island’s role in the regional court. Culture: Lucian Carnival is being showcased at Miami Broward Carnival, giving local performers and music wider exposure.

Water Security: Saint Lucia faces heightened drought risk, with reservoirs at record lows and below-average rainfall expected. A water project now about 85% complete aims to improve supply in 10 Micoud North communities by December. Women’s Safety: The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus is calling for trauma-informed support, privacy protections and faster handling of domestic violence cases. Justice: Saint Lucia hosted the Caribbean Court of Justice’s first ceremonial opening and travelling sittings outside its Trinidad headquarters, on October 7–8. Public Services: WASCO has launched an online portal for bill payments, statements and balance checks. Economic Outlook: The World Bank forecasts 1.1% growth for Saint Lucia in 2026, after a 0.6% contraction last year. Football: Saint Lucia climbed one place to 165th in the latest FIFA rankings.

Justice: Saint Lucia hosted the Caribbean Court of Justice’s first travelling sitting and ceremonial opening outside its Trinidad headquarters, marking a historic moment for the island’s legal community. Water Services: WASCO has launched online bill payment and account services. The move comes as officials warn of drought risk, with reservoir levels at record lows despite the wet season. Women’s Safety: Saint Lucia’s Women’s Parliamentary Caucus is calling for better protection and support for domestic violence survivors, including trauma-informed training and faster, more confidential reporting and justice processes. Culture: Lucian Carnival is being promoted in Miami through a partnership aimed at showcasing the island’s music and performers to wider audiences. Football: Saint Lucia rose one place to 165th in the latest FIFA rankings, six spots ahead of Bermuda. Economic Outlook: The World Bank projects Saint Lucia’s economy will grow by 1.1 per cent in 2026, following a 0.6 per cent contraction last year.

Workplace Standards: Labour officers inspected businesses and public facilities across Soufrière, checking conditions and compliance with the Labour Act. Water Concerns: Saint Lucia faces rising drought risk as reservoir levels remain at record lows and below-average rainfall is forecast. Separately, the Patience water project is about 85 per cent complete and aims to improve supply to 10 Micoud North communities by December. Economic Outlook: The World Bank projects Saint Lucia’s economy will grow 1.1 per cent in 2026, after contracting 0.6 per cent last year, as tourism-dependent Caribbean economies recover more slowly than oil producers. Public Services: WASCO customers can now pay bills and check balances through a new online portal, with payments reflected immediately. Youth Achievement: Saint Lucian student innovators represented the island at an international robotics competition in South Korea, while local under-19 netball opened with Vieux Fort Comprehensive’s title defence underway.

Water Security: Saint Lucia faces heightened drought risk as rainfall stays below average and temperatures remain high. Reservoirs are at record lows despite the wet season, with forecasters warning that recent showers may not ease concerns before the dry season. Tourism and Animal Welfare: A new HelpAWS puppy café at Anse Mamin beach pairs refreshments with a chance to meet rescued dogs available for adoption. Education: The government is costing upgrades to make schools accessible to students with disabilities, while Education Minister Kenson Casimir says plans for classroom AI should support learning, not encourage dependence on technology. Youth Innovation: Saint Lucian students are representing the island at the FIRST Global robotics challenge in South Korea with a robot they designed and built. Public Services: WASCO has launched online bill payment, letting customers check balances and view bills, with accounts updated immediately after payment. History and Culture: The National Trust is highlighting the Brigand Wars, including the deportation of more than 2,000 prisoners to Britain after the 1796 conflict.

CCJ in Saint Lucia: The Caribbean Court of Justice opened its 2026–27 judicial year with its first itinerant sitting on the island. Eastern Caribbean Chief Justice Margaret Price Findlay urged courts to engage with communities while protecting judicial independence. Weather: Heavy rain and thunderstorms earlier this week caused flooding in parts of Saint Lucia, including Castries and the south; residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas were urged to stay alert. Education and AI: Minister Kenson Casimir says the government is preparing a legal framework for AI in schools, stressing it should support learning, not replace students’ effort. Blue Economy Funding: Saint Lucian businesses in fisheries, marine tourism and waste management will get a final chance to apply for OECS matching grants, with the call launching October 30. Local Innovation: Saint Lucian students travelled to South Korea for the FIRST Global robotics challenge, presenting a robot they designed with local company Orbtronics. Food Security: Agriculture Minister Lisa Jawahir says Saint Lucia must grow more of its own food, backing investment in local production, climate-resilient farming and stronger markets.

Regional Justice: The Caribbean Court of Justice opened its first itinerant sitting in Saint Lucia, launching its 2026–27 judicial year. Eastern Caribbean Chief Justice Margaret Price Findlay urged the court to engage with communities while protecting its independence. Public Services: WASCO customers can now pay bills online, check balances and view past statements, with payments reflected immediately. Weather: Heavy rain and thunderstorms brought flooding to parts of Saint Lucia; residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas were urged to stay alert. Education: The Ministry is costing upgrades to make schools more accessible to students with disabilities, including ramps. Food Security: Agriculture Minister Lisa Jawahir says Saint Lucia must boost local production, strengthen markets and adopt climate-resilient farming to feed itself. Innovation: Saint Lucian students represented the island at the FIRST Global robotics challenge in South Korea with a robot they built for the competition. Economic Outlook: The World Bank forecasts 1.1% growth for Saint Lucia in 2026, following a 0.6% contraction last year.

Weather: Heavy rain and thunderstorms brought flooding to parts of Saint Lucia, including Castries and the south. Forecasters warned of further showers, gusty winds and rough seas, urging caution in flood- and landslide-prone areas. Regional Justice: The Caribbean Court of Justice is holding its first Saint Lucia sittings on October 7 and 8, hearing three cases from Saint Lucia, Guyana and Belize. Economic Outlook: The World Bank forecasts 1.1% growth for Saint Lucia in 2026, after an estimated 0.6% contraction last year, citing high energy and transport costs among pressures on tourism-dependent economies. Tourism: Cruise-season upgrades to Castries’ waterfront will not be ready for the coming season, Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says, pointing to delays in getting materials. Food Security: The government is calling for more climate-resilient local farming, stronger markets and less food waste, with World Food Day events planned for October 18. Child Protection: Girls of A Feather has launched a campaign promoting free, confidential support for children affected by abuse or neglect; official figures recorded 204 sexual-offence reports in 2024, including 151 involving children.

Severe Weather: Heavy rain and thunderstorms caused flooding in parts of Saint Lucia, with residents and motorists in flood-prone areas urged to stay alert as showers and rough seas continue. Food Security: Agriculture Minister Lisa Jawahir says the country must boost local production, climate-resilient farming and markets for farmers and fishers to strengthen its ability to feed itself. Child Protection: Girls of A Feather has launched a campaign promoting support for children affected by abuse; official figures recorded 204 sexual-offence reports in 2024, including 151 involving children. Regional Justice: The Caribbean Court of Justice has begun its first Saint Lucia sittings, hearing cases from Saint Lucia, Guyana and Belize on October 7 and 8. Economic Outlook: The World Bank forecasts Saint Lucia’s economy will grow 1.1% in 2026, after an estimated 0.6% contraction last year. Tourism: Cruise-season upgrades to Castries’ waterfront will not be finished in time, Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire says, citing delays in getting materials to the island. CARICOM: Janet Caroo has been formally accredited as Saint Lucia’s ambassador to the regional bloc, with a pledge to make integration deliver tangible benefits.

CARICOM Diplomacy: Dr. Janet Caroo has been formally accredited as Saint Lucia’s new ambassador to CARICOM, presenting her Letter of Credence to Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett as the island chairs the bloc and pushes for “deliverables” from regional integration. Economy Watch: The World Bank projects Saint Lucia’s growth at 1.1% for 2026, after a 0.6% contraction in 2025, while flagging energy and transport costs as key pressures for tourism-dependent economies. Cruise Tourism Update: Saint Lucia’s cruise season is nearing, but Castries waterfront upgrades won’t be finished in time; Tourism Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire says the big improvements are likely for next season due to supply delays. Justice on the Move: The Caribbean Court of Justice will hold its first travelling sittings in Saint Lucia on Oct. 7–8, with public livestream access and matters from Saint Lucia, Guyana and Belize. Energy Development: Geothermal exploration is now ongoing in Saltibus, Fond St Jacques and Belle Plaine, with consultations underway and some relocation already completed. Regional Corrections Training: Two EU- and UNDP-backed projects are combining to train correctional, probation and parole staff across 10 countries, including Saint Lucia, from Sept–Nov 2026. Road Safety Reminder: GK Insurance EC is urging safer driving this Thanksgiving weekend, warning against speeding, distractions and driving after alcohol.