AGP Executive Report

CARICOM Tech & Tax Reform: CARICOM’s COTA is meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, with Dr. Carla Barnett urging “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax systems to secure more resilient, home-grown funding as outside aid gets less reliable. Regional Tech Governance: The opening and technical sessions focus on using advanced analytics and AI to improve compliance, taxpayer services, and revenue mobilisation across the Community, with OECD-linked discussions on tax and development. Local Climate Resilience (Youth Leadership): Jamaica’s Alexcia Boothe, honored for academics and volunteerism, is working on disaster preparedness projects including thousands of hurricane-ready cots and shelter planning. Waste Tech in Schools: Flow Grenada and the Grenada Green Group, backed by the Liberty Caribbean Foundation, are rolling out 10 plastic recycling bins in secondary schools to cut pollution and divert waste from an overloaded dump site. Martinique in the Spotlight (Banknotes): The ECB confirms Martinique and other overseas territories will be included in the next euro banknote design phase after a public consultation running until Sept. 21.

CARICOM Tax Tech Push: CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett opened the 27th COTA General Assembly in Georgetown, urging Caribbean tax systems to become more “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” as outside funding gets less certain. Regional Conference Focus: The five-day meeting (27–31 July) will tackle how technology and advanced analytics can boost compliance, improve taxpayer services, and strengthen revenue collection, with CARICOM and Guyana’s tax authorities leading sessions. Local Climate Waste Action (Grenada): Flow partnered with Grenada Green Group and the Liberty Caribbean Foundation to install recycling bins at St John’s Christian Secondary School, with 10 bins planned across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to cut plastic pollution. Food Safety Debate: A commentary challenges a pesticide-use headline for Saint Lucia, arguing that one statistic can’t capture which chemicals, crops, and farming conditions drive public health concerns. Science & Society (Martinique link): A feature revisits Frantz Fanon’s anti-colonial legacy, stressing his view of decolonization as a material fight over economic and social power.

CARICOM Tax Tech Push: CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett urged Caribbean governments to build stronger, resilient economies with “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax systems at the opening of the 27th COTA General Assembly in Georgetown, linking the push to regional priorities like deeper integration and climate resilience. Regional Conference Focus: The five-day COTA meeting (27–31 July) will bring together tax administrators and revenue experts to use technology and advanced analytics to improve compliance, taxpayer services, and sustainable revenue—hosted by CARICOM and the Guyana Revenue Authority. Climate & Waste Action in the Region: Flow Grenada, backed by the Liberty Caribbean Foundation, partnered with Grenada Green Group to install recycling bins at schools, aiming to cut plastic pollution and ease pressure on the Perseverance dump site. Agriculture & Public Health Debate: A commentary challenges a headline ranking for pesticide use intensity, arguing that one statistic can’t capture which chemicals, crops, and farming conditions are involved—calling for a more careful public conversation before blaming farmers. Martinique Cultural Science Angle: A piece revisits Jaco Pastorius and Rashied Ali’s live recording made in Martinique, highlighting the island’s role in international music history.

Environment & Waste: Flow Grenada, backed by the Liberty Caribbean Foundation, has partnered with the Grenada Green Group (G3) to cut plastic pollution by installing 10 recycling bins in secondary schools across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, starting with St John’s Christian Secondary School; the US$10,000 grant covers design, construction and installation, aiming to ease pressure on the Perseverance dump and keep plastics out of communities and the marine environment. Regional Tech & Policy: CARICOM tax leaders and revenue experts will meet in Georgetown, Guyana (27–31 July 2026) for the 27th COTA General Assembly and Technical Conference on “Future-Ready CARICOM Tax Administration,” focusing on smart, data-driven and AI-enabled tools to improve compliance and taxpayer services, with opening remarks by CARICOM SG Dr. Carla Barnett and a keynote by GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia. Food Safety Debate: A commentary reacts to FAO-linked claims about pesticide use intensity, urging Martinique and the wider region to look beyond one statistic and discuss which pesticides, crops, conditions and alternatives shape public health and farming choices. Science & Society (Martinique link): A piece revisits Frantz Fanon’s anti-colonial legacy, noting he was born in Fort-de-France and arguing his critique of imperialism remains tied to today’s struggles over economic extraction and racial justice.

Rum Tourism: Distillery tours are shifting from “airport bottle” add-ons to must-do Caribbean experiences, with each island leaning into its own rum-making story—from Martinique tastings to cane-field walks and blending sessions. Regional Tech & Policy: Guyana’s Ashni Singh will speak at the 27th COTA General Assembly on 27 July 2026, where CARICOM tax administrators will focus on “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax administration, compliance, and taxpayer services. Public Health Debate: A Saint Lucia pesticide-use headline sparked fear and backlash, prompting a call to look beyond one statistic and ask what pesticides, crops, and alternatives are actually involved. Student Research & Rights: Amira Mahomed (Emeris Durban North) was selected for the 2026 Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Abidjan, with Martinique Mulder also representing Emeris. Science & Society (Culture): A new look at transatlantic sailing experiments explores how filming strangers at sea can reveal human behavior under shared risk and uncertainty.

Rum Tourism: Caribbean distillery tours are shifting from “buy a bottle at the airport” to full destination experiences, with visitors seeking tastings, cane-field walks, and heritage blending sessions across islands like Martinique, Barbados, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. Regional Tech & Governance: CARICOM’s COTA 27th General Assembly and Technical Conference opens in Georgetown, Guyana (27–31 July 2026), with a theme focused on “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax administration—aiming to boost compliance, taxpayer services, and sustainable revenue. Public Health & Farming Debate: A Saint Lucia pesticide-use headline is sparking fear and blame; the piece argues for a more careful look at what pesticides, crops, and alternatives are actually involved before judging farmers. Science & Society Spotlight: A centenary reflection on Frantz Fanon highlights his anti-colonial critique of economic extraction and notes he was born in Fort-de-France, linking his ideas to today’s debates on racial justice and global power. Legal Education: Amira Mahomed was selected for the 2026 Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Abidjan, with Martinique Mulder also representing Emeris.

Regional Tech & Tax Policy: CARICOM tax chiefs and revenue experts meet in Georgetown, Guyana (27–31 July) for the 27th COTA General Assembly and Technical Conference, themed “Future-Ready CARICOM Tax Administration – Smart, Data-Driven and AI-Enabled for Sustainable Revenue,” with opening remarks by CARICOM SG Dr. Carla Barnett and a keynote by GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia. Public Health & Farming Debate: A commentary challenges a viral pesticide-use statistic, urging Martinique and the wider region to look beyond one number at what pesticides are used, on which crops, and what safer alternatives exist. Legal Education Spotlight: Amira Mahomed (Emeris Durban North) is selected for the 2026 Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Abidjan, with Martinique Mulder also representing Emeris. Science Culture at Sea: A transatlantic reality-TV experiment explores what happens when strangers sail together on camera, inspired by earlier anthropological voyage research. History & Anti-colonial Science: A feature revisits Frantz Fanon’s legacy, arguing his work still frames how economic extraction and racial power shape global inequality.

Human Rights & Education: Emeris LLB student Amira Mahomed (21) has been selected to represent Emeris at the 2026 Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (July 26–Aug 2), after topping the school’s national selection; she’ll compete alongside Martinique Mulder from Emeris Pretoria. Regional Tech for Governance: CARICOM’s COTA conference (Georgetown, Guyana, July 27–31) will focus on “Future-Ready” tax administration, with sessions on smart, data-driven and AI-enabled tools to improve compliance and taxpayer services, plus a tax-and-development meeting with OECD partners. Public Health & Food Safety Debate: A commentary piece pushes back on a fear-driven headline about pesticide use intensity, arguing that one statistic can’t explain cancer risk without details on which pesticides, crops, and alternatives farmers have. Science & Society (Origins): A profile revisits Frantz Fanon’s anti-colonial legacy, stressing his view of decolonization as a material restructuring of economic and social power—rooted in his own life in Fort-de-France.

Science & Food Safety Debate: A St Lucia Times piece (via FAO data) sparked alarm over pesticide use intensity, and a follow-up argues the headline alone can’t explain which chemicals, crops, or farming conditions are involved—urging a more careful public health conversation. Regional Tech for Tax Systems: CARICOM’s 27th COTA General Assembly and Technical Conference opens in Georgetown, Guyana on 27 July, with a theme of “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax administration, featuring talks on analytics, compliance, and taxpayer services. Law & Human Rights Training: 21-year-old Amira Mahomed (Emeris Durban North) was selected for the 2026 Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Abidjan, with Martinique Mulder also representing Emeris. Martinique Roots in Anti-colonial Thought: A retrospective revisits Frantz Fanon’s legacy, stressing his view of decolonization as a material restructuring of economic and social power, not just cultural change. Ocean Experiments on Screen: A look at transatlantic sailing reality TV explores why filming strangers at sea is such a compelling format for viewers.

Pesticide Panic, Explained: A Saint Lucia Times report citing FAO data on pesticide use intensity sparked fear and blame online, but the follow-up argues one statistic can’t capture which chemicals, crops, or alternatives are involved—calling for a fuller public health conversation. Regional Tax Tech Push: CARICOM tax administrators meet in Georgetown (27–31 July) for the 27th COTA General Assembly on “Smart, Data-Driven and AI-Enabled” revenue systems, with media invited to the 27 July opening ceremony. Healthcare Infrastructure: Grenada’s Project Polaris—an US$250M, 250-bed climate-resilient teaching hospital—targets completion in 2029 and includes a partnership with Mount Sinai for training and clinical models. Science & Society Spotlight: A piece revisits Frantz Fanon’s anti-colonial critique, stressing decolonization as a material reshaping of economic and social power, rooted in his Fort-de-France origins. Culture & Curiosity: The Soucouyant legend is traced across the French-speaking Caribbean, including Martinique, linking folklore to older West African spiritual traditions and later Creole myths.

Regional Tech & Governance: Tax administrators from across CARICOM will meet in Georgetown, Guyana (27–31 July) for the 27th COTA General Assembly and Technical Conference, focused on “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax administration—covering analytics, compliance, and better taxpayer services, with support from the OECD and partners. Health Infrastructure: Grenada’s Project Polaris is pushing ahead with a new US$250M, 250-bed climate-resilient teaching hospital in Calivigny, aiming for completion in 2029, plus a planned partnership with Mount Sinai to strengthen training, systems, and clinical models across the tri-island state. Science & Society (Martinique roots): A look back at Frantz Fanon highlights how the Fort-de-France-born thinker framed decolonization as a material restructuring of economic and social power, not just cultural change. Culture & Myth: A feature revisits the Soucouyant legend across the French-speaking Caribbean, including Martinique, tracing its blended roots and why the shape-shifting fireball figure still lingers in local identity. Sports Development: Canada Soccer’s sporting director Kenneth Heiner-Moller is planning for the next cycle after the World Cup, with a focus on youth pathways ahead of the CONCACAF U-20 championship in Mexico (July 24–Aug. 9).

Regional Tech & Policy: Tax administrators from across CARICOM will meet in Georgetown, Guyana (27–31 July) for the 27th COTA General Assembly and Technical Conference, focused on “Future-Ready CARICOM Tax Administration” with AI-enabled, data-driven approaches to boost compliance, improve taxpayer services, and support sustainable revenue. The opening ceremony is set for 27 July at 9:00 am AST, with a livestream via CARICOM social platforms. Health Infrastructure: Grenada’s Project Polaris is moving ahead with a new US$250M, 250-bed climate-resilient teaching hospital in Calivigny, aiming for completion in 2029, alongside a planned partnership with Mount Sinai to strengthen training and clinical systems. Science & Society: A new look at Frantz Fanon’s anti-colonial legacy highlights how his ideas on economic extraction and racial hierarchy still shape debates on global power and sovereignty. Community & Education: Grenada’s GRENED marks its 30th anniversary with an event in Grenville, celebrating decades of scholarships and leadership support for rural youth, including alumni now working in health, education, farming, and science.

Science & Tech in Governance: CARICOM tax leaders and revenue experts will meet in Georgetown, Guyana (27–31 July) for the 27th COTA General Assembly and Technical Conference, focused on “Future-Ready CARICOM Tax Administration” with smart data and AI-enabled tools to boost compliance, taxpayer services, and sustainable revenue. The opening ceremony is set for 27 July at 9:00 am AST at the AC Hotel by Marriott (Ogle, East Coast Demerara), with a livestream via CARICOM social platforms. Health Infrastructure: Grenada’s Project Polaris is moving ahead as a US$250 million, 250-bed climate-resilient teaching hospital in Calivigny, due for completion in 2029, with a planned academic partnership with Mount Sinai to strengthen training and clinical systems. Sports & Youth Development: Canada Soccer’s sporting director Kenneth Heiner-Moller is looking four years ahead as Canada prepares for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Mexico (July 24–Aug 9), a qualifier for the 2027 U-20 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.

Human Rights & Law: Amira Mahomed, a 21-year-old LLB student from Emeris Durban North, has been selected to represent her institution at the 2026 Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Abidjan (July 26–Aug 2), after topping Emeris’ national selection process. Science on Screen: A transatlantic sailing reality experiment puts 12 strangers on a yacht for a month, exploring what happens when people with little sailing experience are filmed while crossing the Atlantic. Anti-colonial Legacy: A new look at Frantz Fanon’s work revisits how anti-colonial resistance connects economic extraction, racial hierarchy, and the ongoing struggle for sovereignty—rooted in his Fort-de-France origins. Regional Health Infrastructure: Grenada’s Project Polaris plans a new US$250M, 250-bed climate-resilient teaching hospital (completion targeted for 2029) with a partnership involving Mount Sinai for training and clinical models. Tax Tech & AI: CARICOM tax administrators meet in Georgetown, Guyana (July 27–31) to discuss “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax administration, with OECD-linked talks on tax and development. Pesticides & Public Health: Reporting highlights high pesticide use in parts of the Caribbean, including Saint Lucia, and points to regional research linking pesticide exposure to higher cancer risks in plantation workers across Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Pesticides & Health: A new look at FAO data flags high pesticide use in the Caribbean, with Saint Lucia ranked among the top territories for pesticide intensity; the report links heavy exposure to long-term health risks and points to regional research from banana workers in Guadeloupe and Martinique showing higher rates of prostate and blood cancers at higher exposure levels. Regional Tax Tech: CARICOM tax administrators meet in Georgetown, Guyana (27–31 July) to push “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax administration, aiming to improve compliance and taxpayer services as revenue systems get more digital. Healthcare Infrastructure: Grenada’s “Project Polaris” outlines a US$250 million, climate-resilient teaching hospital planned for completion in 2029, with a partnership with Mount Sinai to strengthen training and clinical models. Education & Rural Youth: Grenada’s GRENED marks its 30th anniversary, highlighting decades of scholarships and leadership support for rural youth, including alumni now working across medicine, education, farming and science. Culture & Folklore: A feature revisits the Soucouyant legend across the French-speaking Caribbean, including Martinique, tracing its roots through West African spiritual traditions and Creole folklore.

Regional Security in Focus (Martinique): Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit urged a broader, coordinated approach to Caribbean security at the Antilles Regional Security Conference in Martinique, linking protection of maritime borders, cybersecurity, energy and food security, and disaster resilience to climate and economic stability. Regional Integration & Autonomy: The Territorial Collectivity of Martinique hosted the 19th Antilles-Guyane Regional Cooperation Conference (CCRAG) at Université des Antilles, with calls for deeper participation in EU-ACP trade talks and Martinique signing an agreement with the French State to discuss expanding local normative powers while staying within the French Republic. Health Infrastructure (Grenada): Project Polaris aims to deliver a US$250 million, 250-bed climate-resilient teaching hospital in Calivigny by 2029, including a partnership with Mount Sinai for training and clinical systems. Food & Agriculture Signals: Saint Lucia ranked sixth globally for pesticide use intensity (27.6 kg per hectare of cropland), raising public and environmental health concerns; regional research in Guadeloupe and Martinique links higher pesticide exposure to higher prostate and blood cancer risks. Regional Tech for Tax: CARICOM tax administrators met in Guyana to discuss “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax administration, including how technology and analytics can improve compliance and services. Logistics Planning (OECS): A concept note proposes turning Hewanorra International Airport in Saint Lucia into an OECS air cargo distribution hub to speed deliveries across the region. Sports Development (Canada): Canada Soccer’s sporting director outlined a four-year plan for youth development ahead of the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Mexico. Culture & Folklore (T&T): A feature revisits the Soucouyant legend and its West African and French Creole roots across the French-speaking Caribbean.