AGP Executive Report

Flood Preparedness: Antigua and Barbuda is developing new flood warning procedures, with ABMS and WMO running a June 25–26 workshop to set standard operating procedures for flood forecasting and warnings. Youth Mental Health: UNICEF-backed “Young Caribbean Minds” is set to launch a youth-led mental health chat line and a new youth-informed research study that will feed directly into the Mental Health Care Bill. STEM Education: The Education Ministry is bringing back the STEM InFuSED Summer Camp (ages 8–17) for six weeks starting July 6 at Sir Novelle Richards Academy, with hands-on experiments and innovation challenges. Cricket Development: Cricket West Indies is moving procurement ahead for an Antigua High Performance Centre, including an indoor facility, broadcast infrastructure, a hotel, and a full-time Cricket West Indies Academy. Digital & Labour Policy: A regional labour leader warns Caribbean tech is outpacing outdated laws, while urging unions to use phone-first, tech-enabled outreach for younger workers. Quality & Standards: ABNAB is ramping up accreditation training and adding digital transformation to make quality assurance more transparent and globally competitive. Smart Tourism: Long Bay Zen Resort plans AI concierge, robotic delivery, and smart systems, alongside renewable energy and desalination.

AI & Jobs: UNI Global Union says many Caribbean layoffs are being blamed on AI, but budget limits and restructuring are the real drivers. Youth Mental Health Research: Minister Kiz Johnson met UNICEF ahead of a youth mental health study launch at the Precision Centre, using input from 1,000+ young people to shape the Mental Health Care Bill. Telecom Resilience: Regulators in Dominica and Saint Lucia, with ECTEL, are seeking details after a Flow outage traced to a fibre fault between Guadeloupe and Antigua. Road Safety Tech vs Reality: An automotive expert warns Antigua’s road excavation and patching cycle is creating hazards that can even break modern lane-assist systems. Quality Assurance Upgrade: ABNAB is pushing accreditation training and digital transformation to modernize quality assurance. Water Tech: Government signs on to introduce household grey-water recycling systems to help tackle drought pressures. Tourism Automation: Long Bay Zen Resort plans AI concierge, robotic delivery, smart rooms, and an over-water chapel. Climate & SDGs: A new SDG report says none of the 17 goals is on track by 2030, with small islands flagged for climate vulnerability.

Road Safety & Infrastructure: APUA and the Public Works Department are being blamed for a cycle of excavation and patching that leaves Antigua’s roads hazardous, with deep potholes and sinkholes undermining even modern lane-assist safety systems. Digital Health & Youth: A communications specialist warns that short-form social media is training children to expect instant rewards, potentially harming long-term cognitive skills like delayed gratification. Standards & Digital Transformation: ABNAB is ramping up accreditation training and adding digital systems to make quality assurance more transparent, efficient, and internationally competitive. Tourism Tech: Long Bay Zen Resort is set to open with an AI concierge, robotic delivery, smart in-room controls, and “invisible technology,” alongside renewable energy and desalination plans. Water Tech: Government is moving forward with household grey-water recycling systems, aiming to recycle up to 60% of home water into potable supply meeting WHO standards. Regional Tech Policy: CARICOM ministers are urged to accelerate digital transformation together, including cybersecurity and shared rules for AI and data governance. Education & Skills: APUA’s 13th Summer Internship Programme is underway for 17 young professionals, while UNESCO media literacy training targets educators using tools like Google Classroom for inclusive learning. Global Context: A new UN SDG report says none of the 17 goals are on track for 2030, with small islands flagged as especially vulnerable.

Road Safety Warning: Automotive expert Paul Ryan says potholes and sinkholes from repeated APUA excavation and poor patching are creating fresh hazards, even confusing modern lane-assist systems. Youth & Tech Habits: Communications specialist Dwayne Simon warns short-form social media is eroding children’s ability to delay rewards, linking it to changes in attention and youth interests. AI in Tourism: Long Bay Zen Resort plans an “invisible technology” guest experience with an AI concierge, robotic delivery, smart rooms, and an over-water chapel—plus renewable energy and desalination. Water Recycling Push: Government highlights a Japanese household grey-water recycling system that can recover up to 60% of home water and produce potable water to WHO standards, with demo units for public viewing. Regional Digital Drive: CARICOM ICT ministers are urged to accelerate digital transformation to 2030, with cybersecurity and AI/digital trade rules needing collective action. Education Tech & Inclusion: UNESCO media information literacy training promotes Google Classroom use for inclusive teaching and safer digital learning for students with disabilities. Youth Mental Health Reform: Minister Michael Joseph received nationwide youth consultation findings for a new Mental Health Care Bill, based on surveys and focus groups with children and adolescents. Global SDG Reality Check: A new UN SDG report says fewer than 20% of targets are on track worldwide, with science, data, financing, and governance gaps holding progress back.

AI in Tourism: Long Bay Zen Resort (US$200M, 113 rooms) is set to roll out an “invisible technology” guest experience with an AI concierge, automated carts, smart in-room systems, and robots for routine deliveries—plus an over-water chapel and renewable energy/desalination plans. Regional Ocean Finance: UWI Five Islands’ Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE) will host a Blue Finance and Ocean Innovation side event during CHOGM 2026, featuring local and international ocean projects and a CEO-led “beachside chat.” Digital & Youth Skills: APUA launched its 13th Summer Internship Programme, taking 17 young professionals for six weeks of hands-on utility-sector experience. Water Tech: Government signed an agreement with a Japanese company to introduce household water recycling systems that can turn grey water into potable water meeting WHO standards. Education Policy: Cabinet confirmed free UWI Five Islands tuition for eligible first undergraduate degrees, with law receiving 50% support; separately, Sir David Harrison is recommended to lead the campus council and endowment fund. Climate & Data: ECCB named Phillip John as the 2026 ECCB–Thomas De La Rue Scholar for Environmental Data Science and Machine Learning at Imperial College London. Tech Governance: CARICOM ministers pushed digital transformation to 2030, with emphasis on cybersecurity and coordinated AI/data governance.

AI & Jobs: UNI Global Union says executives are using AI as a cover story for layoffs, pointing to budget limits and restructuring as the real drivers. Agri Tech & Food Security: IICA’s Antigua and Barbuda accountability seminar spotlighted hydroponics and youth-led farming, plus work on safer, more resilient food production. Education Tech & Inclusion: UNESCO media and information literacy training pushed Google Classroom to support inclusive learning for educators and students with disabilities. Digital Governance: Parliament advanced the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, expanding duties on telecoms to hand over electronic data, including cloud-stored records. AI in Tourism: Forbes highlighted Antigua’s Long Bay Zen Resort plans for AI butlers, robotic delivery, and “invisible technology” operations. Youth & Skills Pipeline: APUA launched its 13th Summer Internship Programme for 17 young professionals, backing hands-on experience in utilities. Climate & Data: ECCB named Phillip John as the 2026 Thomas De La Rue scholar for Environmental Data Science and Machine Learning at Imperial College London.

AI & Robotics in Healthcare: Antigua and Barbuda is looking to China ties to modernize health care, including robotic technology in operating theatres and AI for healthcare planning and analysis. Digital Transformation & Cybersecurity: CARICOM leaders are pushing faster, shared digital development to protect competitiveness and resilience, with special focus on AI rules, data governance, and cybersecurity. Law & Tech for Safer Online Investigations: Parliament passed the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, expanding duties on telecoms and service providers to hand over electronic data, including cloud-stored records, with new penalties for non-compliance. Education Tech & Inclusion: UNESCO’s media information literacy training for educators promoted Google Classroom use to support inclusive, remote learning for students with disabilities. Youth Mental Health Reform: A nationwide consultation with about 1,000 young people fed into proposed mental health legislation, shaping rights-based services. Climate & Risk Tech: NODS staff trained on DisasterAWARE to strengthen hazard monitoring and decision support during emergencies. Regional Tech Capacity: The ECCB–Thomas De La Rue Scholarship went to Phillip John for Environmental Data Science and Machine Learning at Imperial College London. Food Security Innovation: New seed bank and sweet potato projects aim to boost Antigua and Barbuda’s agricultural resilience with improved planting materials and farmer training. Payments & Fintech Spotlight: ClicCash represented Antigua and Barbuda at London Tech Week, showcasing a regulated payments platform to international partners.

AI Hospitality & Robotics: Antigua’s Long Bay Zen Resort is being rebuilt as a $200M, 113-room property with an “invisible technology” approach—AI concierge, automated carts, and robot deliveries—aiming for calm guest experiences powered by smart operations. Digital Governance & Cybercrime: Parliament advanced the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2026, expanding telecom duties to hand over electronic data (including cloud-stored info) under court orders, with lawmakers pushing for tougher, even daily, penalties for non-compliance. Education Tech & Access: The government clarified free UWI Five Islands tuition covers eligible students’ first undergraduate degree only; law gets a 50% subsidy. Payments & Fintech Spotlight: ClicCash represented Antigua and Barbuda at London Tech Week, pitching its regulated payments platform through UK and Canada-linked events. Food Security Research: A new sweet potato push with IICA and CARDI targets higher-yield, climate-resilient varieties plus farmer training and pest management. Youth Skills Pipeline: APUA launched its 13th Summer Internship Programme for 17 young professionals to gain hands-on utility sector experience. Regional Tech Policy: CARICOM leaders urged faster digital transformation and cybersecurity cooperation to protect competitiveness and sovereignty.

AI in Tourism: Long Bay Zen Resort in Antigua is being rebuilt into a $200M, 113-room “invisible technology” property with an AI concierge, robot deliveries, and smart in-room systems. Digital Governance: Parliament passed the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, expanding how police can request electronic data (including cloud-stored info) and adding penalties for non-compliance. Youth & Skills: APUA launched its 13th Summer Internship Programme for 17 young professionals, while UWI Five Islands free tuition was clarified to cover first undergraduate degrees only (law gets 50% support). Health Tech & Reform: Minister Michael Joseph received youth mental health consultation findings to guide new rights-based mental health legislation. Regional Tech Push: CARICOM ministers urged faster digital transformation for resilience and sovereignty, and the ECCB named Phillip John as a 2026 scholar studying environmental data science and machine learning. Agriculture Innovation: New seed bank and sweet potato projects aim to strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s food supply, with IICA-backed work on improved planting materials and pest management.

Digital Transformation Push: CARICOM ministers heard Grenada PM Dickon Mitchell call for faster, collective digital development by 2030, stressing cybersecurity and shared rules for AI, data and internet governance. Regional Climate Finance: The World Bank’s IFC will invest up to US$15M into the Caribbean Community Resilience Fund debt sub-fund, with Antigua and Barbuda among 13 countries targeted for SME and resilience projects. Local Tech & Youth Skills: APUA launched its 13th Summer Internship Programme, placing 17 young professionals into six weeks of hands-on utility operations to support modernization. Education Tech Policy: Cabinet backed free UWI Five Islands tuition for eligible first undergraduate degrees, while law students get only 50% support; applications are open. Payments & Startup Spotlight: Antiguan fintech ClicCash represented Antigua and Barbuda at London Tech Week, pitching its regulated payments platform through UK and Canada-linked events. Cybercrime Law Update: Parliament passed the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, expanding telecom duties to hand over electronic data under court orders, with new penalties for non-compliance. Agriculture Innovation: IICA’s 2025 accountability seminar highlighted digital agriculture and climate-resilient sweet potato projects aimed at boosting productivity and food security. Health Tech Reform: Youth consultations fed into proposed mental health legislation, with UNICEF and PAHO involved in gathering input from about 1,000 surveyed young people and 300 in focus groups.

World Finance: IFC is investing up to US$15M into the Caribbean Community Resilience Fund debt sub-fund, aiming to expand medium-sized enterprise financing across 13 countries including Antigua and Barbuda, with support for climate-resilience and sustainability projects. Youth & Skills: APUA launched its 13th Summer Internship Programme for 17 young professionals, pushing hands-on experience and modernization ideas inside the utilities sector. Climate Voice: Health Minister Michael Joseph says SIDS like Antigua and Barbuda need a stronger seat at global climate mobility talks, arguing Caribbean voices are too often sidelined despite hurricane-driven vulnerability. Education Tech & Access: Government clarified free UWI Five Islands tuition covers eligible students’ first undergraduate degree only, with law receiving 50% support. Digital Crime Law: Parliament passed the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2026, adding duties and penalties for telecoms and service providers that don’t comply with court-ordered requests, including data held via cloud services. Agriculture Innovation: IICA’s Antigua and Barbuda programme highlights sweet potato projects to boost productivity, resilience, and value-added options. Payments Startup: ClicCash represented Antigua and Barbuda at London Tech Week 2026, pitching its regulated payments platform to international audiences.

Public Utilities & Youth: APUA kicked off its 13th Summer Internship Programme, bringing 17 young professionals for six weeks of hands-on experience as the utility authority pushes modernization. Education Policy: Cabinet reaffirmed free UWI Five Islands tuition for eligible first undergraduate degrees, but law students get only 50% support; applications for the law programme are already drawing strong interest. Tech, Finance & Diplomacy: Homegrown fintech ClicCash represented Antigua and Barbuda at London Tech Week, pitching to international and diplomatic audiences and strengthening ties with Canada. AI in Healthcare: Antigua and Barbuda is exploring China-backed cooperation on robotic technology and AI to modernize healthcare delivery. Cybercrime Law: Parliament advanced the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, expanding duties on telecom and service providers to hand over digital information under court orders, with new penalties. Agriculture & Food Security: New seed bank and sweet potato projects aim to boost productivity and strengthen the island’s food supply, including value-added sweet potato options. Climate Voice: Minister Michael Joseph urged stronger Caribbean representation in global climate mobility talks, arguing the region is too often left out. Disaster Readiness: NODS staff trained on the DisasterAWARE platform to improve monitoring and decision-making during emergencies. Sports Tech & Development: Cricket West Indies proposed a US$6.6m Antigua campus with training tech, a museum, and simulators to grow cricket locally.

UWI Leadership & Funding: Cabinet has agreed to recommend Sir David Harrison to chair the UWI Five Islands Campus Council and the Campus Endowment Fund, citing his decades in financial technology and his education-focused philanthropy, including an overseas Harrison Centre in Antigua and Barbuda. Free University Tuition Rules: The government says free tuition for UWI Five Islands covers eligible students’ first undergraduate degree (including current undergrads), but law gets only a 50% subsidy; 137 applicants have already been accepted for the law programme. Agri-Tech for Food Security: Agriculture updates highlight IICA-backed sweet potato work with CARDI, aiming for higher-yield, climate-resilient varieties, better pest control, farmer training, and value-added products like flour and chips. Spanish as a Second Official Language: Antigua and Barbuda moves to make Spanish the second official language, with Spain pledging teaching support, education software, and a proposed cultural institute, while workforce training targets tourism, ports, and security roles. Healthcare Tech (AI/Robotics): Health Minister Michael Joseph says China ties will support modern care delivery, including robotic theatre tech and AI for healthcare planning. Digital Crime Law: Parliament passed the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, expanding telecom duties to hand over electronic data under court orders and adding new penalties for non-compliance. Disaster Tech Training: NODS staff trained on the DisasterAWARE platform to improve monitoring, impact modelling, and decision support during emergencies. Entrepreneurship & Fintech Spotlight: Homegrown fintech ClicCash represented Antigua and Barbuda at London Tech Week, pitching as a regulated payments provider and building international connections. Cricket Development Campus: Cricket West Indies proposes a US$6.6m Antigua campus with training tech, a museum, and a simulator, targeting completion by March 2027. Youth Mental Health Reform: Minister Michael Joseph received findings from a nationwide consultation with children and adolescents to guide new mental health legislation.

UWI Five Islands Tuition Update: Antigua and Barbuda’s free tuition policy for the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus now applies to eligible students pursuing their first undergraduate degree, including current enrollees—law students get only a 50% tuition subsidy, with applications already exceeding 137. Fintech Spotlight: Homegrown payment provider ClicCash represented Antigua and Barbuda at London Tech Week 2026, pitching to officials and entrepreneurs via UK and Canadian diplomatic engagements. Healthcare Tech (AI/Robotics): Health Minister Michael Joseph says China-linked cooperation could bring robotic theatre support and AI tools to modernize healthcare planning and analysis. Mental Health Reform: Youth consultation findings were delivered to guide new mental health legislation for children and adolescents, with input from about 1,000 young people plus focus groups. Cybercrime Law: Parliament passed the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, expanding telecom duties to hand over electronic data under court orders and adding penalties for non-compliance. Disaster Readiness Tech: NODS staff trained on the DisasterAWARE platform to improve monitoring and decision-making during emergencies. Blue Economy & Ocean Governance: Commonwealth ocean ministers met in Kenya to push ocean protection from pledges to measurable action, including financing and technology transfer. Coastal Resilience Appointment: Antigua and Barbuda named marine scientist Dr. Deborah Brosnan Special Envoy for Coastal Resilience and the Ocean Economy.

Electronic Crimes Law: Parliament passed the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2026, expanding police powers to demand electronic data from telecom and other service providers, including cloud-stored information, with new penalties for non-compliance. Policy Push: Education Minister Daryll Matthew also urged daily penalties for providers that miss court-ordered deadlines, after he said he recently fell victim to electronic crime. AI in Healthcare: Antigua and Barbuda is leveraging ties with China to modernize health delivery, including robotic operating theatres and AI for healthcare planning and analysis. Disinformation + Elections: ABEC joined an international election-management forum in Georgia focused on disinformation, artificial intelligence, and social media’s role in information integrity. Disaster Tech Training: NODS staff trained on the DisasterAWARE platform to improve real-time hazard monitoring and decision support for emergency operations. Blue Economy & Ocean Governance: Commonwealth ocean ministers met in Kenya to turn ocean protection pledges into measurable results, with emphasis on financing and technology transfer. Coastal Resilience Appointment: Antigua and Barbuda named marine scientist Dr. Deborah Brosnan Special Envoy for Coastal Resilience and the Ocean Economy. Public Health Research: A local researcher said men aged 20+ account for 80% of teen pregnancies, pointing to gaps in early sex education and relationship training.

Ocean Policy: Commonwealth ocean ministers met in Mombasa, Kenya to push ocean protection from pledges to measurable results, using the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration and the BBNJ Agreement to guide work on financing, technology transfer, and capacity building. Disaster Tech: Antigua’s NODS staff completed DisasterAWARE training to better monitor hazards and plug real-time risk modelling into emergency operations using national baseline work from 2024. AI in Media: The Caribbean Broadcasting Union launched its Guyana-bound AGM under “Caribbean Media and Artificial Intelligence,” focusing on how AI will reshape production and newsroom trust. Health & Labs: CARICOM and PAHO renewed efforts to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, with a push to strengthen detection, monitoring, and laboratory systems. Blue Economy Leadership: Antigua and Barbuda appointed marine scientist Dr. Deborah Brosnan as Special Envoy for Coastal Resilience and the Ocean Economy to help attract funding and scale marine conservation. Local Tech/Skills: AUACAS announced a free virtual medical bootcamp (June 16–July 1) with a Fast Track pathway and tuition support for aspiring doctors. Governance & Safety Tech: Cabinet advanced a legislative package including a Medical Laboratories Bill and Electronic Crimes (Amendment) as part of broader justice and public health modernization.