AGP Executive Report

Julien Alfred statue plans: St. Lucia is moving ahead with a monument honouring Olympic champion Julien Alfred, with land near the Julien Alfred Highway secured and designs now under review by officials from planning, infrastructure, tourism and sport. Football (CONCACAF Nations League): St. Lucia beat Bermuda 5-2, with Keegan Caull scoring a first-half hat trick, followed by goals from Shevon Byron and Kurt Frederick. Cricket (Super 50): Semifinals are set in the Super 50, with Gros Islet to face Central Castries and Babonneau to play South Castries. Regional ports & shore power: Caribbean port leaders say European lessons on cleaner, more resilient operations—especially shore power and electrification—will shape next steps for sustainability across the region. Tourism jobs & informality: An ILO study flags that Eastern Caribbean tourism’s big economic role is held back by informal work, weak protections, and limited support for small businesses—calling for decent work and formalisation together. UN diplomacy: CARICOM chair and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre urged renewed multilateral cooperation at the UN General Assembly, stressing climate finance, debt relief and UN Security Council reform. Digital connectivity: EllaLink launched the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway initiative, aiming to connect the region via a new fibre optic system with service targeted for end-2029. Culture: The Mighty Pe’lay was remembered at a 15th-anniversary ceremony in Castries, while CARICOM leaders also paid tribute to calypsonian The Mighty Sparrow after his death.

Julien Alfred statue plans: Saint Lucia is moving ahead with a monument honouring Olympic champion Julien Alfred, with land near the Julien Alfred Highway already secured and designs now under review by teams across planning, infrastructure, tourism and sport. Tourism jobs and informality: A new ILO study on Eastern Caribbean tourism says informality and weak labour protections are holding back productivity and decent work, urging countries to tackle working conditions and formalisation together. Food systems and weather shocks: Agriculture Minister Floyd Green says balancing higher production with repeated weather disruptions remains a major regional challenge, pointing to recovery work after major hurricanes and the need for backup systems. OECS services training: The OECS is delivering specialised training for trade in services stakeholders across public, private and civil society groups, funded by the EU, to strengthen regional policy and negotiating capacity. Crime and firearms warning: The Royal St Lucia Police Force says illegal firearms are driving serious violence, while reporting a reduction in overall offences and homicides compared with last year. Disability support: The NCPD is launching a two-year project to build a Knowledge Management System and improve accessible communication for persons with disabilities. Sports season kick-off: The 2026-2027 school sports calendar was launched, with a new School Sports 758 platform aimed at boosting youth athletes’ visibility and sponsorship. Tourism outreach: SLTA held a luncheon for Canadian travel media alongside updates from a trade sales mission focused on air connectivity and co-operative marketing. Cultural win: The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival was named “Music Festival of the Year” at the Caribbean Music Awards. Regional business move: General Accident is expanding in the region, with plans to acquire a majority stake in Beacon Insurance, which already operates in Saint Lucia.

Julien Alfred Statue Plans: St. Lucia is moving ahead with a statue honouring Olympic champion Julien Alfred, with a site near the Julien Alfred Highway identified and design proposals under review. Tourism Jobs & Formal Work: An ILO study on Eastern Caribbean tourism says informality and weak labour protections are holding back decent work, productivity and small business growth in countries including Saint Lucia. Tourism Spotlight & Global Reach: The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority hosted Canadian travel media to highlight new developments and push stronger air connectivity and co-operative marketing. Crime & Firearms Warning: The Royal St Lucia Police Force says illegal firearms remain a major driver of serious crime, reporting fewer offences overall but noting many homicides involve illegal guns. Disability Services Upgrade: The NCPD is launching a two-year project to build a Knowledge Management System and improve accessible communication for persons with disabilities. Culture on the Rise: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts won “Music Festival of the Year” at the Caribbean Music Awards, adding to the island’s growing regional cultural profile. Sports Calendar Kicks Off: Officials launched the 2026-2027 school sports season, unveiling an earlier calendar and a new School Sports 758 platform to boost youth athletes. Aquaculture Workshop: Caribbean Blue Foods is set to host a stakeholder workshop in Kingston focused on climate-resilient aquaculture and blue food investment. UN Climate Finance Push: Small island leaders, including Saint Lucia’s PM, warned at the UN that climate finance must be grants and faster access—not loans that deepen debt. Tourism Deal Watch: Regional private sector groups welcomed the Royal Caribbean–Sandals partnership, expected to reshape cruise-and-land vacation options across the Caribbean.

Regional Security: Barbados PM Mia Mottley urged the Caribbean to stay a “zone of peace,” warning against unilateral force as Haiti’s gang violence continues to stall elections and recovery; she backed renewal and full deployment of the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force. Local Justice: Saint Lucia’s police say illegal firearms are driving serious crime, with homicides down but 36 of 48 cases involving illegal guns, as authorities vow prosecution “without impunity.” Money Laundering Case: The Financial Intelligence Authority charged Electra Fernand with seven counts of money laundering tied to the Creators Alliance Investment Scheme. Tourism & Culture: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival won “Music Festival of the Year,” while Secrets St. Lucia marked its first anniversary with a cultural showcase. Sports & Youth: School Sports 2026-2027 officially launched, with a new social platform to spotlight student-athletes; table tennis coaching expands across 30+ schools. Climate Finance at UN: Small island states, including Saint Lucia, demanded grants and fairer access to climate funding, rejecting loans as “not justice.” Caribbean Tourism Deal: CARICOM’s private sector hailed the Royal Caribbean–Sandals partnership, a major $3 billion bet that includes three Saint Lucia Sandals properties.

Regional Tourism Deal: CARICOM Private Sector Organization congratulates Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts after Royal Caribbean Group agreed to buy a 50% stake in a roughly US$3 billion transaction, expected to close in early 2027, a move that could reshape Caribbean “cruise-and-stay” offerings and scale Sandals’ footprint across the region. Crime and Justice: Saint Lucia’s police warn that prosecutions will come “without impunity” as illegal firearms remain central to murders and attempted murders, even as overall crime shows a reduction year-to-date. UN Climate Finance: Small island states, including Saint Lucia, tell the UN General Assembly that climate recovery should not mean more debt, calling for grants and faster, fairer access to climate funding. UN Security Council Reform: Russia’s Lavrov backs India’s bid for a permanent UNSC seat while opposing more Western representation; Mauritius and Portugal also signal support. Local Culture and Tourism: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts wins “Music Festival of the Year,” while Secrets St. Lucia marks its first anniversary with a showcase highlighting the island’s culture and hospitality. Sports Development: The 2026-2027 school sports season launches in Saint Lucia, with a new social media push to spotlight student-athletes.

Crime & Justice: The Royal St Lucia Police Force says homicides are down (59 to 48) but firearms are driving the violence: 36 of 48 killings involved illegal guns, with police recovering 46 weapons since January—warning criminals that prosecution will come “without impunity.” Money Laundering Case: The Financial Intelligence Authority has charged Electra Fernand with seven counts of money laundering tied to the Creators Alliance Investment Scheme, after a 2025 crackdown that left thousands of investors with losses. Culture & Tourism: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival won “Music Festival of the Year” at the Caribbean Music Awards, while Secrets St. Lucia marked its first anniversary with a showcase highlighting local culture and tourism growth. Sports & Youth: The 2026-2027 school sports season is officially launched, with a new School Sports 758 platform to spotlight young athletes and attract sponsorship. Regional Diplomacy: At the UNGA, small island states—including Saint Lucia—pressed for climate finance that isn’t another loan, while Russia backed India’s bid for a permanent UNSC seat and warned against expanding Western representation. International Spotlight: Saint Lucia is also pushing ahead with plans for a monument honoring Olympic champion Julien Alfred, now in advanced planning and design.

UN Security Council Reform: Russia’s Sergey Lavrov backed India’s bid for a permanent UNSC seat at UNGA, arguing reforms must not add more Western seats, while Portugal and Mauritius also voiced support for India. Crime and Firearms: Saint Lucia police warned that illegal firearms remain central to homicides and attempted murders, with 36 of 48 killings involving guns and concerns about modified weapons. Money Laundering Case: The FIA charged Electra Fernand over seven counts of money laundering tied to the Creators Alliance Investment Scheme, after a 2025 crackdown. Tourism and Culture: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts won “Music Festival of the Year,” while Secrets St. Lucia marked its first anniversary with a cultural showcase. Disability Support: NCPD launched a two-year project to build a knowledge management system and improve accessible communications for persons with disabilities. Sports and Youth: School Sports Season 2026-27 was launched, with a new social platform to spotlight student-athletes. Julien Alfred Statue Plans: Government says the Olympic champion’s statue is in advanced planning and design, with a site identified near the Julien Alfred Highway. Billfish Tournament: The Republic Bank St. Lucia International Billfish Tournament reached its final day, using a catch-and-release format.

UN Diplomacy: Barbados PM Mia Mottley pledged full support for Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to become the next UN Secretary-General, calling for Security Council reform and better representation for small island states. Regional Security: Mottley also urged the Caribbean to stay a “zone of peace,” backing the UN-authorised Gang Suppression Force in Haiti as insecurity delays political and economic recovery. Saint Lucia Sports: The government says plans for a statue honouring Olympic champion Julien Alfred have moved into advanced planning and design, with a site identified near the Julien Alfred Highway and concepts now under review. Football Focus: Saint Lucia’s new technical director Miran Louis says the national teams will unite local and overseas players while strengthening football infrastructure ahead of Nations League matches. Grassroots Development: A new table tennis coaching programme will train teachers across more than 30 schools, aiming to boost the sport from the grassroots. Public Health: A Deaf Health Fair in Castries highlighted hearing screenings, sign basics, and warnings about loud noise damaging hearing. Crime Update: Police report firearms remain central to homicides, with more modified guns seized and calls for stronger firearm suppression collaboration. Tourism & Culture: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival was named “Music Festival of the Year,” celebrating its impact on Caribbean culture and visitors.

Julien Alfred Statue Update: Saint Lucia says plans for a monument honouring Olympic champion Julien Alfred have moved into advanced planning and design, with a site bought near the Julien Alfred Highway and artistic concepts now under review. Tourism Recognition: The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival was named “Music Festival of the Year” at the Caribbean Music Awards, with officials calling it a major boost for local culture and international visitors. Regional Reparations Push: CARICOM and the African Union are deepening cooperation on reparatory justice, including a joint mechanism to coordinate research, legal strategy, diplomacy and public engagement. Grassroots Sport: A new table tennis coaching programme is training teachers across more than 30 schools in all eight education districts, aiming to supercharge the island’s primary school season. Public Health & Safety: A Deaf Health Fair in Castries promoted hearing screenings and sign basics, while police reported that firearms are behind most homicides, with concerns about modified guns. School Sports Kickoff: The 2026-2027 school sports season was officially launched early, with esports added and a new push to spotlight student athletes online. Football Focus: Saint Lucia’s Piton Boyz are set for CONCACAF Nations League action as regional squads arrive for matches in St Lucia.

UN Diplomacy: At UNGA 81, dozens of delegations walked out as Benjamin Netanyahu took the podium, with many Arab and Muslim-majority countries absent—while the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Azerbaijan stayed. Olympic Legacy: Saint Lucia is moving ahead with plans for a statue honouring Julien Alfred, now in advanced planning and design, with a site bought near the Julien Alfred Highway and concepts under review. Tourism & Jobs: Expedia named Saint Lucia No. 1 Island on its 2026 Hot List, celebrated at the Saint Lucia Showcase International Gala. Sports & Youth: The school sports season has officially launched early, with a new social media push and esports joining the calendar. Local Safety: Police report firearms are behind most homicides, with concern growing over modified guns and the need for stronger border and agency collaboration. Regional Business: CARICOM private sector leaders hailed the Sandals–Royal Caribbean partnership as a defining moment for Caribbean tourism investment. Football Leadership: Saint Lucia’s new technical director says he wants to unite local and overseas players while strengthening football infrastructure.

Deaf Health Fair: The Society for the Deaf held a hearing health awareness fair in Castries, offering screenings, Ministry of Health info, and basic sign language, while warning that loud music and everyday noise can quietly damage hearing. Gun Crime Update: Royal Saint Lucia Police say firearms are driving violence, with 36 of 48 homicides (Jan 1–Sept 23) involving guns, and police recovering 46 weapons as they call for stronger firearm suppression cooperation. Julien Alfred Statue Plans: Government says the design phase is underway for a statue honouring Olympic champion Julien Alfred, with a site secured near the Julien Alfred Highway and concepts now under review. Football Focus: A new Saint Lucia technical director, Miran Louis, says the goal is to unite local and overseas players and strengthen football infrastructure as the Tridents/CONCACAF Nations League window approaches. School Sports Kickoff: The 2026-2027 school sports season was officially launched early, with a new social media push and added esports plus developmental lacrosse and teqball. Tourism Boost: Saint Lucia was named No. 1 Island on Expedia’s 2026 Hot List, with Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire receiving the award at the Saint Lucia Showcase International gala. Regional Diplomacy: OECS foreign ministers met in New York to push stronger regional diplomatic coordination as small states face rising global pressures. UNGA Engagements: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Caribbean and Pacific leaders on UNGA sidelines, including Saint Lucia’s foreign minister, as UNSC reform and development partnerships stayed on the agenda.

UNGA Diplomacy: OECS foreign ministers met in New York to push stronger regional diplomatic coordination, with Saint Lucia’s Alva Baptiste in the mix as leaders tackle shared security and governance priorities. Security & Rights Debate: Attorney General John Jeremie defended Trinidad and Tobago’s proposed Special Operations Bill in the Senate, rejecting claims it’s racist or apartheid-like and arguing it targets violent crime and gang activity. Regional Security Cooperation: EU and CELAC endorsed a roadmap on security, trade and digital cooperation, spotlighting transnational organised crime as a key shared concern. Tourism Spotlight: Saint Lucia was named No. 1 Island on Expedia’s 2026 Hot List, with Minister Ernest Hilaire receiving the award during the Saint Lucia Showcase International gala. Sports at Home: The 2026–2027 school sports season officially launched in Saint Lucia, earlier than usual, with a push to spotlight student-athletes online and new esports, lacrosse and teqball activities. Football Fixtures: Saint Lucia’s Tridents host Barbados and then Bermuda in the CONCACAF Nations League at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. Digital ID Push: Saint Lucia is moving ahead with a regulatory sandbox to test digital ID and payments use cases under its DigiGov programme. Water Supply Update: Choiseul/Saltibus MP Keithson Charles says work on the northern raw-water pipeline is underway to reduce leaks and improve WASCO supply. National Recognition: Nominations are open for the Order of Saint Lucia National Awards ahead of the 2027 Independence anniversary.

Tourism Spotlight: Saint Lucia was named No. 1 Island on Expedia’s 2026 Hot List at the Saint Lucia Showcase International Gala, with Tourism Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire receiving the award and highlighting the island’s natural beauty, culture and hospitality. Sports & Youth: Olympic sprint champion Julien Alfred is set to be honoured with a statue, with advanced planning and a site near the Julien Alfred Highway already identified; meanwhile, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is launching The Village Initiative to support young athletes through school visits, clinics and scholarships. Water & Infrastructure: Government plans are moving ahead on stabilising Saint Lucia’s water supply, including improvements tied to the northern raw water pipeline from the John Compton Dam and efforts to cut wastage. Innovation & Research: Orbtronics announced its Innovation Summit 2026 to position Saint Lucia as a “Silicon Forest,” while SALCC and VALIRI held a panel on shifting from brain drain to brain gain in research. Football: Saint Lucia’s men’s team is preparing for CONCACAF Nations League home matches at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground against Barbados and Bermuda. Regional Diplomacy: OECS foreign ministers met in New York to push stronger diplomatic coordination as the region navigates global uncertainty. Hospitality Deal Watch: Royal Caribbean agreed to buy a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches in a $3 billion deal, a move that could reshape Caribbean resort competition.

Caribbean Digital ID Push: Saint Lucia is moving ahead with a legal framework for a cross-sector regulatory sandbox to test digital ID and fintech use cases, starting with digital ID management and payments, under its DigiGov programme. Olympic Pride in Stone: The Government of Saint Lucia says plans for a statue honouring Olympic champion Julien Alfred are in advanced planning and design, with a site near the Julien Alfred Highway already identified and purchased. Football Focus: Saint Lucia’s CONCACAF Nations League campaign is set to kick off after Barbados named its squad, with the opener against Saint Lucia at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. Innovation Drive: Orbtronics, based in Rodney Bay, unveiled details for its Innovation Summit 2026, pitching Saint Lucia as the Caribbean’s “Silicon Forest” with a two-day event in November. Blue Economy Funding: Action Bequia Inc. has been selected for seed funding under the Caribbean Blue Economy Financing (BluEFin) project, aimed at cutting plastic and marine pollution. Regional Security: Operation ATLAS NEXUS wrapped up with 490+ arrests and 156.9 tonnes of drugs seized across 35 countries, including Saint Lucia. Cruise-Tourism Shockwaves: Royal Caribbean is reportedly in talks to buy into Sandals Resorts, a potential $6B-plus deal that could reshape all-inclusive options across the Caribbean, including St. Lucia.

Olympic Pride: Saint Lucia is moving ahead with plans for a statue honouring Julien Alfred, now in advanced planning and design, with a site bought near the Julien Alfred Highway and technical checks underway on safety, visibility and public access. Sports Focus: Francis “Baba” Lastic has been relieved as interim head coach of the senior men’s national football team ahead of the Concacaf Nations League, with a replacement expected to be named soon. Innovation & Jobs: Orbtronics says its “Silicon Forest” push is gaining momentum, unveiling details of the Orbtronics Innovation Summit 2026 in Rodney Bay, aimed at shifting Saint Lucia beyond tourism into tech and knowledge industries. Blue Economy: Action Bequia Inc. has been selected for Caribbean Biodiversity Fund BluEFin seed funding, backing projects to cut plastic and marine pollution and support biodiversity and climate resilience. Regional Security: Operation ATLAS NEXUS dismantled transnational criminal networks across Latin America and the Caribbean, with Dominica among the participating countries reporting major arrests and seizures. Tourism & Travel: Saint Lucia is targeting Guyana’s growing travel market, pitching a combined trip that pairs Guyana’s rainforest and eco-adventure with Saint Lucia’s beaches and culture.

Julien Alfred Statue Plans: Saint Lucia is moving ahead with advanced planning for a statue honouring Olympic champion Julien Alfred, including a site near the Julien Alfred Highway and technical checks on safety, visibility and public access. School Community Support: At Cas En Bas, Entrepôt Secondary School held a prayer session for students recovering from a serious crash that left one student with an amputation. Football Shake-up: Francis “Baba” Lastic has been removed as interim head coach of the Saint Lucia senior men’s team ahead of the Concacaf Nations League opener. Water Security Upgrade: The US$22.83 million Northern Water Project is set to replace ageing pipelines, aiming to cut outages and improve supply for tens of thousands of customers. Creative Sector Funding: After a year-long wait, the Creative Economy Grant Fund begins distributing cheques to 350 approved recipients, with processing underway for more than 1,000 submissions. Youth and Sport Pathways: SHE CAN is pushing for Saint Lucia’s future WCPL team through a regional women’s cricket player pipeline, while Saint Lucia’s junior players prepare for a FIFA Under-15 Boys Festival debut in Azerbaijan.