AGP Executive Report

Digital Transformation & Trade: UAE Minister of State Noura Al Kaabi wrapped up a Barbados visit focused on boosting cooperation in trade, digital transformation, sustainable development and investment, with meetings including PM Mia Amor Mottley and Barbados’ Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology minister. Regional Identity Tech: Guyana and Barbados began passport-free travel using electronic ID cards on Caribbean Airlines, a push meant to speed up CARICOM integration. Health Tech Regulation: Barbados passed the Barbados Medical Products Authority (BMPA) Bill, backed by PAHO, to strengthen regulation of medicines, vaccines, medical devices and other health technologies. Green Logistics: Barbados Postal Service took delivery of an electric postal cart for airport operations as part of a wider push toward a 2030 carbon-neutral economy. STEM & Skills: OECS and UWI Global Campus recognised 172 digital skills scholarship recipients, while Belize showcased “Robotics as a Sport” at a Caribbean STEM summit in Barbados. Agriculture & Resilience: Agriculture Minister Dr Shantal Munro-Knight outlined a roughly $272m Agriculture 2030 roadmap, including tackling praedial larceny and crop damage from monkeys. Cyber Safety: The UWI warned the public about an unauthorised website using its branding to capture personal data.

Digital Borders: Guyana and Barbados kick off passport-free travel using Electronic Identification cards on the first Caribbean Airlines flight, showing how fast regional systems can be integrated for smoother movement. Health Regulation: Barbados passes the Barbados Medical Products Authority (BMPA) Bill with PAHO support, setting up a single regulator for medicines, vaccines, medical devices and other health technologies. Agri Tech & Security: Agriculture Minister Shantal Munro-Knight outlines a roughly $272m Agriculture 2030 roadmap, including an interagency pilot to tackle crop theft and monkeys. Sustainability in Schools: Alleyne School unveils plans for solar power, rainwater harvesting, and aquaponics/hydroponics to become Barbados’ greenest and safest secondary school. Postal Decarbonisation: Barbados Postal Service rolls out an electric postal cart at the airport as part of a wider push toward a carbon-neutral 2030 target. Digital Skills: OECS and UWI Global Campus recognize 172 scholarship recipients from a year-long advanced digital training programme. Youth & Media: “Once Upon A Frame” launches to use youth-written films (including one made with AI) to tackle youth violence in Barbados. Regional Tech for SMEs: CDB rebrands CTCS as CDB Propel to help MSMEs become more competitive, resilient and investment-ready, with a focus on digital transformation.

Caribbean SME push: The Caribbean Development Bank rebrands its long-running technical consultancy network as CDB Propel, aiming to make MSMEs more competitive and “investment-ready” with digital transformation support and grants. Digital skills boost: The OECS and UWI Global Campus recognize 172 digital scholarship recipients, under a World Bank-backed programme to build job-ready tech talent across the region. Barbados postal goes greener: Barbados Postal Service rolls out an electric postal cart as part of a wider push toward a 2030 carbon-neutral logistics overhaul. Youth violence tackled with film + AI: A new local initiative, Once Upon A Frame, turns youth-written stories into films, including one created with AI, to give young people safer creative outlets. Agriculture resilience roadmap: Barbados Agriculture Minister Dr Shantal Munro-Knight outlines a ~$272m plan to modernize farming, tackle crop damage from monkeys, and bring more young people into the sector. Nuclear tech for development: Barbados signs a five-year IAEA cooperation framework covering health, agriculture, water, energy and radiation safety. Security and climate talks: PM Mia Mottley meets UK PM Keir Starmer on security, climate, clean air, tourism and research. Regional finance standards: The UK takes over the FATF presidency, setting up a renewed focus on combating fraud and financial crime. Tech in business: Sun Group selects Amadeus Loyalty to run a fully integrated loyalty platform across its ecosystem.

Financial Crime & Governance: The UK has taken over the FATF presidency, vowing to tackle the “fraud epidemic” as the FATF rolls out its 2026–2028 roadmap on combating fraud; Barbados Police Leadership: Acting Deputy Commissioner Sonia Boyce is set to become Commissioner of Police effective July 3, following the retirement of Richard Boyce; Nuclear Tech Cooperation: Barbados signed a five-year cooperation framework with the IAEA (2026–2031) to support peaceful nuclear applications in health, agriculture, water management, energy, and radiation safety; Digital Skills & Workforce: The OECS and partners recognised 172 recipients of a World Bank-funded digital skills scholarship programme, pushing industry-ready certifications across the region; Agriculture & Food Security: Barbados agriculture gets a $272m roadmap aimed at resilience, with an interagency pilot targeting crop theft, praedial larceny, and monkeys; Green Logistics: Barbados Postal Service took delivery of an electric utility cart for airport airmail operations as part of a wider push toward a carbon-neutral 2030 economy; AI & Regional Building: Future Caribbean launched a global agentic AI buildathon to help the region build real-economy AI systems and connect to global markets; Health Research: A review of 24 case reports (2020–2025) highlights clinical outcomes and treatment complications in triple-negative breast cancer; Youth & Community Tech: A new “Once Upon A Frame” film initiative uses youth-written stories and AI filmmaking to tackle youth violence and create positive outlets.

Barbados R&D Push: Future Barbados unveiled a US$65m (US$32.5m) five-year R&D and Innovation roadmap to close science and tech gaps and speed up commercial innovation. Nuclear Tech Framework: Barbados signed a 2026–2031 cooperation deal with the IAEA to use peaceful nuclear tech for health, agriculture, water, energy and radiation safety. Digital Skills Boost: The OECS and UWI Global Campus recognized 172 scholarship recipients, expanding advanced digital skills across the region. AI for the Region: Future Caribbean launched a global agentic AI buildathon aimed at turning Caribbean talent into real-economy AI companies. Green Logistics: Barbados Postal Service received an electric postal cart as part of a wider push toward a 2030 carbon-neutral economy. Agriculture Investment: Agriculture Minister Shantal Munro-Knight mapped “Agriculture 2030” with about $272m in priority investments and major structural reforms. Public Safety Tech: A manhole incident sparked calls for urgent infrastructure inspection and maintenance. Health Research Spotlight: A new review highlights clinical outcomes and treatment complications in triple-negative breast cancer case reports from 2020–2025. Fraud Warning: The UWI warned the public about an unauthorised website using its branding to capture personal data. Regional Security Leadership: Deputy Commissioner Sonia Boyce was appointed Commissioner of Police effective July 3.

AI & Entrepreneurship: Future Caribbean is launching a global agentic AI buildathon to help the region build real-economy Agentic AI systems and connect Caribbean talent to global markets. Digital Skills: The OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Programme (CARDTP) recognized 172 scholarship recipients with industry certifications, delivered via UWI Global Campus. Nuclear Tech for Development: Barbados signed a five-year cooperation framework with the IAEA (2026–2031) covering health, agriculture, water management, energy and radiation safety. Youth & Media Tech: Local filmmaker Kerri Birch’s “Once Upon A Frame” uses storytelling and AI filmmaking to tackle youth violence, including a youth-written story and an AI-created film. Cyber Safety: The UWI warned the public about an unauthorised website using its branding and collecting personal data. Blue Economy / Sargassum: SynergySphereCASA backs “blue gold” sargassum-to-fertiliser plans, proposing local processing after Barbados’ beach-clearing tractor support. Education Tech Policy: Barbados’ new primary-to-secondary assessment model is rolling out with continuous classroom assessment plus standardised tests, with parents questioning group-mark fairness. Public Safety Tech: Friends of Democracy called for urgent infrastructure checks after a tourist fell into an uncovered manhole. Leadership & Governance: Acting Deputy Commissioner Sonia Boyce was appointed Commissioner of Police effective July 3.

AI & Entrepreneurship: Nexen Group chairman Kang Byung-joong urged “human-centered” entrepreneurship at the UN’s MSMEs Day forum in New York, arguing people must stay at the centre even as AI drives new business models. Public Safety Leadership: Barbados appointed Acting Deputy Commissioner Sonia Boyce as Commissioner of Police effective July 3, following Richard Boyce’s retirement—an update that matters for how tech-enabled policing and training priorities may shift. Nuclear Tech Cooperation: Barbados signed a five-year framework with the IAEA (2026–2031) to expand peaceful nuclear applications in health, agriculture, water management, energy, and radiation safety. Education Tech & Assessment: The Ministry outlined a new primary-to-secondary placement system using continuous classroom assessment plus standardised tests, with parents pushing for clarity on how group projects affect individual marks. R&D Investment Plan: Future Barbados released a draft $65m Barbados RDI Roadmap to accelerate science, technology, and research and development. Agentic AI Buildathon: Future Caribbean announced a global agentic AI buildathon to help the region build real-economy systems and connect to global markets. Digital Skills & Workforce: Minister Sandra Husbands warned Barbados must rethink workforce planning for an ageing population, calling for life-long learning and flexible upskilling. Climate & Disaster Readiness: Earthquake coverage from Venezuela renewed calls for Barbados to stay prepared for tsunami and seismic hazards.

Banking & Connectivity: Scotiabank is buying the remaining 28.22% of Scotia Group Jamaica it doesn’t own and taking it private, raising the bigger question of who controls Caribbean banking and how the region stays plugged into global finance. Disability Inclusion: A UN-backed push marks International Day of Deafblindness, using “Connected by Touch” to highlight barriers in education, healthcare, jobs, and public life. Health Tech & Trade: Eye See You Ophthalmics says COVID-era survival helped it grow into a regional export business, even as foreign exchange shortages and banking constraints slow expansion. Energy, Climate & Security Diplomacy: Prime Minister Mia Mottley met UK PM Keir Starmer on security, clean air, tourism, investment, and research, including methane cuts and climate finance for small states. Nuclear for Development: Barbados signed a five-year IAEA cooperation framework covering nuclear safety, health, agriculture, water, and energy. AI for the Region: Future Caribbean is launching a global agentic AI buildathon to help Caribbean economies coordinate and reach global markets. Education Tech & Fairness: Barbados is moving to a two-part primary-to-secondary assessment with continuous classroom work plus standardised tests, and parents are pressing on how group projects affect individual placement. Public Safety: A tourist’s fall into an uncovered manhole sparked calls for urgent infrastructure inspections and maintenance. Earthquake Preparedness: Venezuela’s deadly double earthquake renewed warnings for Barbados to stay ready for quake and possible tsunami hazards. Digital Inclusion in Finance: A credit union convention in Barbados put technology, cybersecurity, and financial inclusion on the agenda. Local Tech & Business: Barbados’ Lions Club of Central plans a digital transformation to strengthen community work and membership. Water & Schools: Jamaica’s Hydrate Caribbean initiative is rolling out hydration stations to eight schools, aiming to improve student health with reusable bottles. Sports Talent Platform: Cleaqes launched Cleaqes Sports to connect grassroots athletes across Africa and the Caribbean with global opportunities. R&D Investment: Future Barbados released a draft $65m roadmap to boost science, technology, and research and development over five years. AI & Policy Capability: A new study urges governments to manage digital capability system-wide, not in silos, with the right skills, partners, and citizen readiness.

Nuclear Tech for Development: Barbados signs a five-year cooperation framework with the IAEA (2026–2031) to boost nuclear and radiation safety, plus uses in health, agriculture, water management and energy. Security & Climate Diplomacy: PM Mia Mottley meets UK PM Keir Starmer in London to deepen security cooperation with Barbados and the RSS, while pushing methane cuts and cleaner air. Regional Foreign Policy: Canada and CARICOM renew their strategic partnership with a new action plan focused on resilient economies, climate action and regional security. AI for the Region: Future Caribbean launches a global agentic AI buildathon to help build real-economy AI systems and connect Caribbean markets to global deployment. Research Funding Push: Future Barbados proposes a US$65m (US$32.5m) R&D and innovation roadmap to accelerate science, technology and commercial innovation. Education Tech & Fairness: Parents question Barbados’ new primary-to-secondary placement model as continuous assessment and group projects shape scores. Public Safety Tech: FOD calls for urgent fixes after a tourist falls into an uncovered manhole, urging routine inspection and maintenance. Digital Talent Platforms: Cleaqes unveils Cleaqes Sports to connect grassroots athletes across Africa and the Caribbean with global opportunities. Health Tech Upgrade: QEH reports major cancer care savings and improved treatment with a new linear accelerator. Disaster Readiness: Venezuela earthquakes renew warnings for Barbados to stay prepared for earthquake and possible tsunami hazards.

Wellness & Tourism Tech: JACANA (Jamaica) launched a Caribbean Wellness Platform tying botanical personal care, therapeutic plant medicines, and nature-based experiences to push “Caribbean wellness” as a global category. AI for Regional Markets: Future Caribbean unveiled a global agentic AI buildathon to develop Agentic AI systems for real economies, aiming to help fragmented islands coordinate and compete. Education Assessment & Skills: Barbados’ new primary-to-secondary placement model is under public consultation, with continuous classroom assessment (50%) plus standardised tests over two years—parents pressed officials on how group projects won’t unfairly penalise individuals. Health Tech Upgrade: Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s new linear accelerator is already cutting overseas treatment costs while expanding advanced cancer care locally. Digital Capability & Jobs: A regional labour warning says laws lag tech by 10–20 years, leaving workers exposed; Barbados also faces workforce planning pressure from rapid ageing. Public Safety & Infrastructure: A tourist’s fall into an uncovered manhole sparked calls for urgent inspection and maintenance of pedestrian infrastructure. Climate & Water: Barbados-linked climate diplomacy featured at a Canada-CARICOM foreign ministers meeting, while hydration stations are rolling out in Kingston schools to improve student water habits.

Digital Sports & AI Buildathon: Cleaqes launched Cleaqes Sports to spotlight grassroots talent across Africa and the Caribbean, while Future Caribbean rolled out a global agentic AI buildathon aimed at turning regional ideas into real-world systems and companies. Education Tech & Assessment: Barbados is moving away from a single secondary entrance exam toward a two-year transition with classroom projects plus standardised tests, and the plan also includes clearer student profiling for secondary schools. R&D Funding Push: Future Barbados released a draft US$65m (US$32.5m) RDI roadmap to boost science, technology and research and development. Healthcare Technology: Barbados’ QEH commissioned a linear accelerator, cutting overseas treatment costs while expanding advanced cancer care, and breast cancer surgeries at QEH were hailed as a milestone for modern tech-enabled treatment. Blue Economy Data: CRFM and partners launched an open-access Caribbean Blue Economy Knowledge Hub to share marine data, tools and best practices. Disaster Readiness: Venezuela’s deadly double earthquake renewed tsunami and earthquake preparedness warnings for Barbados. Policy & Skills: Barbados is urged to rethink workforce planning for an ageing population, with calls for lifelong learning and flexible training. Security & Crime Tech: EU officials warned the Caribbean is a key cocaine corridor into Europe, and Jamaica customs flagged an emerging synthetic drug threat at borders. Local Digital Transformation: Lions Club of Barbados Central pledged to go digital, and a regional credit union push highlighted technology, cybersecurity and financial inclusion.

Digital Transformation for Community Service: Lions Club of Barbados Central plans to “usher Lionism into a digital age,” using technology to strengthen community work and boost membership. School Hydration Tech for Health: Eight Kingston and St. Andrew schools in Jamaica will get hydration stations starting July, aiming to increase water intake and cut sugary drinks. Local Tech in the Spotlight: A Barbados vendor’s TikTok-style marketing story shows how Caribbean small sellers are using phones and social reach to compete with supermarket chains. Barbados Cancer Care Upgrade: Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s new linear accelerator is already delivering image-guided radiation, with reported savings on overseas treatment and 120 patients completing therapy. Education for Creative Careers: Barbados will install music production studios in secondary schools and launch a national student festival to build pathways into the entertainment industry. Blue Economy Data Platform: CRFM, FAO and CAF launched an open-access Caribbean Blue Economy Knowledge Hub for fisheries, aquaculture and marine planning, with Barbados among participating countries. Earthquake Preparedness Reminder: Venezuela’s deadly double earthquake has renewed calls for Barbados to stay ready for earthquake and tsunami risks. Workforce Planning for an Ageing Society: Barbados is urged to rethink training and employment as the population ages, including life-long learning and flexible micro-credentials. Security and Research Cooperation: PM Mia Mottley met the UK’s Keir Starmer to continue security ties and expand research and investment in areas like climate resilience, water security and sargassum innovation. Regional Tech and Worker Protection Gap: A UNI Global Union leader warns Caribbean labour laws lag behind fast-moving technology, leaving workers exposed. Credit Union Tech & Cyber Focus: SVG’s co-operative league delegation highlighted governance, technology, cybersecurity and resilience at the CCCU convention in Barbados.

Disaster Preparedness: A powerful double earthquake off Venezuela has renewed tsunami and quake readiness warnings for Barbados, with DEM urging residents to stay alert as regional monitoring issued immediate tsunami guidance. Public Safety & Health Tech: Barbados’ Queen Elizabeth Hospital is seeing major gains from a new linear accelerator, completing 2,000+ cancer treatment sessions and cutting overseas treatment costs by nearly $5m. Digital Capability: A new study argues governments across the region must build digital capability system-wide, not in silos—skills, in-house tech control, and supplier ecosystems included. Workforce Planning: Barbados’ TVET minister warns the country’s ageing shift demands life-long learning, reskilling, and flexible training pathways to protect jobs and eldercare. Education Reform: The 11-Plus (BSSEE) is set to end after 2027, replaced by a two-year assessment model mixing continuous assessment with national tests. Blue Economy Data: CRFM and partners launched an open-access Caribbean Blue Economy Knowledge Hub for fisheries, aquaculture, and marine planning tools. AI for Finance Literacy: Local firm Wizdom CRM rolled out a multi-provider “Super AI Engine” aimed at boosting financial education across the Caribbean. Regional Security & Trade: EU officials warn the Caribbean is a key cocaine corridor into Europe, pushing for stronger judicial cooperation. Credit Union Tech & Resilience: SVG’s co-operative league highlighted cybersecurity, technology, and institutional resilience at the CCCU convention in Barbados. Energy Security: The region’s ongoing dependence on imported energy is again in focus as costs strain small island economies.

Security & Research Diplomacy: Prime Minister Mia Mottley met UK PM Keir Starmer in London to press for continued security cooperation and to explore joint research and investment in climate resilience, clean energy, ocean and coastal systems, water security, sargassum innovation, and sustainable tourism. Workforce Planning: Minister Sandra Husbands urged Barbados to rethink workforce development as the country shifts toward a fully-aged society, calling for life-long learning, reskilling, and flexible training like stackable micro-credentials. Digital Governance: A new regional push argues governments must manage digital capability in a system-wide way, not in silos—covering skills, in-house technical control, and better supplier ecosystems. Health Tech Upgrade: Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s new linear accelerator is already cutting overseas treatment costs and expanding advanced cancer care, with 2,000+ sessions completed since commissioning. Education Tech & Skills: Barbados is phasing out the 11-Plus/common entrance exam in favour of a two-year continuous assessment model, while a separate initiative will bring fully equipped music production studios into secondary schools. Blue Economy Data: CRFM, FAO and CAF launched an open-access Caribbean Blue Economy Knowledge Hub for fisheries, aquaculture and marine spatial planning. Regional Tech & Finance Inclusion: A local firm, Wizdom CRM, launched a multi-provider “Super AI Engine” aimed at improving financial literacy across the Caribbean. Caribbean Crime & Tech Policy: The EU warned the Caribbean is a key cocaine corridor into Europe, renewing calls for stronger judicial cooperation. Drug Monitoring: Jamaica Customs flagged an emerging synthetic drug threat, reporting rising MDMA/ecstasy detections at borders. Climate Action Finance: The OPEC Fund and Barbados-backed Climate Vulnerable Forum launched the Vulnerability to Viability Compact and unveiled a US$1.5b digital transformation plan.

Digital Finance for Barbados: The Central Bank of Barbados launched BiMPay, an instant 24/7 payments system connecting banks and credit unions so people and businesses can move money in seconds. Health Tech & Cancer Care: Barbados’ Queen Elizabeth Hospital commissioned a linear accelerator, cutting reliance on outsourced treatment and improving precision radiation therapy for cancer patients. Education & STEM Pathways: Barbados is phasing out the 11-Plus/BSSEE with a two-year continuous assessment model, while a new push will bring fully equipped music production studios into secondary schools. AI for Everyday Skills: Local firm Wizdom CRM unveiled a multi-provider “Super AI Engine” aimed at boosting financial literacy across the Caribbean. Blue Economy Data Access: CRFM, FAO and CAF launched an open-access Caribbean Blue Economy Knowledge Hub for fisheries, aquaculture and marine planning. Regional Tech Policy Gap: A UNI Global Union leader warned Caribbean labour laws lag behind fast-moving technology, leaving workers exposed. EU-Crime & Security: EU officials say the Caribbean is a key cocaine corridor into Europe, calling for stronger judicial cooperation. Climate & Methane Push: UN chief Guterres urged faster methane cuts, while Barbados PM Mia Mottley spoke at a UK climate reception focused on super pollutants.

Digital Finance & Fintech: Barbados rolled out BiMPay, an instant 24/7 payments system linking banks and credit unions so money moves in seconds via phone numbers, email, or QR codes. Public Health Tech: Barbados’ Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory was designated a PAHO/WHO collaborating centre for antimicrobial resistance surveillance, boosting regional lab capacity and whole genome sequencing support. AI for Everyday Skills: Local firm Wizdom CRM launched a “Super AI Engine” aimed at improving financial literacy across the Caribbean using multiple AI providers. Education Reform (STEM pipeline): Barbados confirmed the BSSEE “Common Entrance” will end after 2027, replaced by a two-year continuous assessment model starting with the 2028 transition. Blue Economy Data: CRFM, FAO and CAF launched an open-access Caribbean Blue Economy Knowledge Hub for fisheries, aquaculture and marine spatial planning, built for policymakers and communities. Energy Security: A new report asks why the Caribbean still imports energy despite major renewable potential, pointing to financing and infrastructure gaps. Climate Action Finance: The OPEC Fund and partners unveiled a US$1.5B digital transformation plan alongside a climate-vulnerability finance compact for climate-vulnerable economies.