AGP Executive Report

Diamond League Spotlight: St. Lucia’s Olympic champion Julien Alfred won the women’s 100m in Oslo in 10.76 seconds, while Patrizia Van der Weken placed sixth (11.10) and Zoe Hobbs took third (11.03). Ebola Preparedness: St. Lucia’s health authorities activated precautionary Ebola measures and warned travellers to avoid Ebola-affected countries, with enhanced screening for those who transited through high-risk areas. Local Public Health & Data: The CSO is using drones to improve national data collection, and the Millennium Heights paediatric ward was refurbished into a child-friendly healing space with EC$75,000 support from Bank of Saint Lucia. Culture & Community: Youth Summer Arts Platform returns for ages 7–17, Listwa Kannaval explores “Rhythm, Language, and Identity,” and “Rambo Diplomacy” gets a modern remake to reach a new generation. Security & Youth: Men of Faith Ministries urges parents and mentors to step up as St. Lucia battles rising gun violence. Infrastructure: WASCO upgrades sewerage works in Castries’ city centre, commissioning new pumps to reduce overflows. Sports & Business: Digicel launched the Digi-Duo mobile + home fibre bundle, and LET’S BET unveiled interactive prop-betting features ahead of the World Cup.

Tax Relief Update: Saint Lucia has extended its tax amnesty to the end of 2027, letting taxpayers settle outstanding liabilities with a full waiver of interest and penalties on eligible taxes up to December 2025. Disaster Preparedness: Health officials say the island is strengthening systems for the 2026 hurricane season, urging residents not to get complacent even if forecasts point to a quieter season. Public Health & Borders: Saint Lucia has reactivated enhanced Ebola travel screening at points of entry, using advanced passenger data to flag travellers from or transiting Ebola-affected areas. Telecoms: Digicel St. Lucia is rolling out “Digi-Duo,” bundling mobile with home fibre and promoting entry-level fibre speeds starting at 350 Mbps. Infrastructure in Castries: WASCO is upgrading the city centre sewerage network, including new pumps, to improve reliability and reduce overflow risk. Culture & Community: Listwa Kannaval returns for a second year with a discussion on “Rhythm, Language, and Identity,” while junior calypso and soca crowns went to Fire Kay and Zizi. Safety & Crime: Police charged four men after alleged slingshot assaults in Brisbane, with victims reported across multiple suburbs. Regional Sports: CARICOM’s 19th Road Run/Walk is set for July 5 in Gros Islet, with elite and open categories plus a 5K for persons with disabilities.

Tax Relief Update: Saint Lucia has extended its tax amnesty to the end of 2027, waiving interest and penalties on eligible taxes due up to December 2025, including VAT collected but not yet remitted. Regional Sports: CARICOM’s 19th Road Run/Walk returns to Gros Islet on Sunday, July 5, with Elite 10K, Open 10K, and Open 5K Run/Walk categories, plus events welcoming persons with disabilities. Cricket Focus: The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association released its trial squad for the Windward Islands Super 50 in Grenada (July 25–Aug 5), with selection based on recent local tournaments and fitness tests starting June 13. Education Across the OECS: The OECS PEARL programme is shifting into a “Legacy” phase with a Communication for Development campaign aimed at keeping education reforms alive through community-led action. Public Health Preparedness: Saint Lucia is stepping up Ebola readiness, including renewed risk-based travel screening at ports and updates to national response plans. Community & Culture: The Rotary Club of Gros Islet inducted three new Interact Clubs, while the island also marks major education and youth initiatives, including digital tools for local businesses and support for literacy and school libraries. Local Safety & Governance: Police are investigating the discovery of a body in the Marchand River, and the government is reiterating its stance on gun laws amid ongoing homicide concerns.

Tax Relief: St. Lucia has extended its tax amnesty to the end of 2027, letting taxpayers settle outstanding liabilities by December 2027 with interest and penalties waived for taxes up to December 2025, including VAT businesses collected but not yet remitted. Regional Sports & Health: CARICOM’s 19th Road Run/Walk is set for July 5 in Gros Islet, with elite and open 10K, plus 5K run/walk options (including for persons with disabilities), running alongside CARICOM Heads of Government talks. Education Across the OECS: The OECS is launching “The OECS PEARL Legacy” communications campaign to carry forward the PEARL education programme beyond June 30, focusing on community-led education regeneration. Public Health Preparedness: Saint Lucia is updating its Ebola readiness plan, including renewed risk-based travel screening at ports using APIS and expanded lab testing capacity. Crime & Guns: Prime Minister Pierre says Saint Lucia already has tough gun laws as police report firearms linked to most homicides this year. Local Safety Incident: Police are investigating the discovery of 67-year-old Andrew Yarde’s body in the Marchand River. Culture & Inclusion: HAPA will host inclusive carnival events in July for people with autism, including a sensory-friendly social and an autism-inclusive Kiddies Carnival band.

Caribbean Sports & Unity: CARICOM’s Dr Armstrong Alexis backed Haiti and Curaçao ahead of the FIFA World Cup, urging the region to rally behind the two Caribbean representatives. Local Inclusion in Carnival: HAPA announced a sensory-friendly autism inclusion push for Saint Lucia’s Carnival, including a July 11 Carnival Social at Serenity Park and a July 12 Kiddies Carnival appearance with the Spectrum Warriors band. Tourism & Culture: Saint Lucia marked National Day of Caring with community acts of compassion, while students lit up the secondary schools calypso and soca monarch finals—Sir Ira Simmons won calypso and Corinth took soca. Health & Regional Links: A report says Martinique is ready to supply radioactive nuclear drugs for certain cancers, with St Lucia resident Alyson Chester describing the value of treatment and tests. Business & Mobility: BYD was named Official Car Sponsor of the Republic Bank CPL 2026, with activations across CPL host markets including Saint Lucia.

CPL 2026 Boost: BYD has been named Official Car Sponsor of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, rolling out fan activations, vehicle showcases and a “Wrap the Future” design challenge across CPL markets including Saint Lucia. Youth & Learning: Macmillan Education Caribbean opens entries for its second regional “New Branches” Poetry Competition, adding an Upper Secondary category and inviting poems on Caribbean themes. Health & Prevention: PAHO/WHO and partners in Barbados brought together nutritionists and legal drafters to push sodium reduction and policies to eliminate industrial trans fats across the region. Sports Spotlight: CARICOM’s Dr Armstrong Alexis backed Haiti and Curaçao ahead of the FIFA World Cup, while Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred and other regional athletes continue to draw attention in major meets. Community & Culture: Saint Lucia marked National Day of Caring with acts of compassion, and students shone at the secondary schools calypso and soca monarchs at Marchand Grounds. Tourism & Climate: UNICEF-linked findings say young people in Barbados, Dominica, St Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda still lack awareness and access to green economy opportunities. Diplomacy: Saint Lucian Ambassador Menissa Rambally presented letters of credence to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as bilateral talks continued.

Tourism & Culture: Saint Lucia marked National Day of Caring with community acts of compassion, while Friday’s National Secondary Schools Calypso and Soca Monarch crowned Sir Ira Simmons (Calypso) and Corinth (Soca), with Zizi “Zizi & I” Fannis and “Fire Kay” Simmons taking top honours. Sports (World Cup): CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General Dr Armstrong Alexis backed Haiti and Curaçao ahead of the FIFA World Cup, with Haiti opening vs Scotland (June 13) and Curaçao facing Germany (June 15). Tourism (Regional visibility): The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority is in New York for Caribbean Week 2026 to strengthen partnerships and global marketing under “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences.” Environment & Resilience: Saint Lucia launched a Coral Reef Response System to speed damage assessment and recovery after storms, linked to regional reef insurance and preparedness efforts. Public Safety: Police carried out joint operations in Castries communities, seizing suspected cannabis and plants and charging multiple people, including a wanted suspect tied to an armed robbery. Economy & Costs: The UN warned that closures affecting the Strait of Hormuz are hitting oil-dependent small states, driving up energy prices and costs.

Tourism & Travel Deals: British Airways launched its June sale (until June 25, 2026), with discounted return flights including to St Lucia from £510 and Kingston from £599, plus holiday packages from £799pp for seven nights in St Lucia. Sports (Athletics): St Lucia’s Julien Alfred beat reigning world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in the women’s 200m at Rome’s Diamond League, clocking 21.93 seconds. Regional Governance: CARICOM’s 51st Heads of Government meeting will be held in Gros Islet from July 5–8, with Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre chairing and an opening ceremony at Sandals St Lucia. Public Safety: Police charged a fourth suspect in the Ciceron murder case; separately, officers seized cannabis and plants in Castries-area operations and arrested multiple people. Crime & Justice: A British man was fined $15,000 after pleading guilty to firearm offences linked to a rifle seized at the Vieux Fort port. Environment & Resilience: Saint Lucia launched a Coral Reef Response System to speed damage assessment and recovery after storms, tied to regional reef insurance and preparedness efforts. Local Economy & Politics: UWP senator Dominic Fedee criticised the tourism “booming” narrative, calling the minister’s arrival figures premature. Sports (Football): SLFA holds its 40th annual congress this weekend as the semi-pro league season approaches.

CARICOM Heads Meeting in St. Lucia: The 51st Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government will be held in Gros Islet from 5–8 July 2026, with Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre chairing from 1 July; the opening ceremony is set for 5 July at Sandals St. Lucia and will be streamed live, followed by business sessions and a hybrid closing press briefing on 8 July. Tourism Debate: UWP senator Dominic Fedee says the tourism minister’s “booming” claims after early 2026 arrival figures are premature, arguing Saint Lucia is still among the last in the region to fully recover beyond pre-COVID levels. Crime & Courts: Police charged a fourth suspect in the Ciceron murder case; 21-year-old Germaine Ishonn Joseph was remanded after being charged with the killing of “Zuzu” Joseph. Drugs Seizures: Joint police operations in Wilton’s Yard, Belair and Dierre Fort led to multiple arrests and cannabis seizures, including a wanted man linked to an armed robbery. Coral Protection: Saint Lucia launched a Coral Reef Response System with trained brigades and rapid-response funding support to strengthen reef resilience ahead of storms. Sports Spotlight: Julien Alfred beat world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in the women’s 200m at the Rome Diamond League, clocking 21.93 seconds.

CARICOM in Focus: Saint Lucia will host the 51st CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in Gros Islet from 5–8 July, with an opening ceremony at Sandals Saint Lucia on 5 July and sessions running through 6–8 July. Tourism & Business: The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority is in New York for Caribbean Week 2026 to boost partnerships and global visibility, while the UWP’s Dominic Fedee says tourism “booming” claims are premature given 2025 declines. Environment & Resilience: Saint Lucia launched a Coral Reef Response System, training brigades and linking reef insurance and rapid-response planning to protect coastal communities and livelihoods. Security Update: Joint police operations in Wilton’s Yard, Belair, and Dierre Fort led to cannabis seizures, arrests, and charges including cultivation and possession with intent to supply. Sports Spotlight: Julien Alfred beat world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in the women’s 200m at Rome’s Diamond League, clocking 21.93. Local Culture: Junior Calypso and Soca winners include Dugard Combined (Calypso) and Ave Maria Girls’ Primary (Soca), as Carnival season builds.

CARICOM Heads Meeting: CARICOM’s 51st Regular Meeting of Heads of Government will be held in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, from 5–8 July, with Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre chairing from 1 July; the opening ceremony at Sandals Saint Lucia on 5 July will be streamed live, and a hybrid closing press conference is set for 8 July. Sports—Julien Alfred: Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred beat reigning world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in the women’s 200m at Rome’s Diamond League, clocking 21.93 seconds to take gold. Police—Bois D’Orange shooting: A 21-year-old woman is in critical condition after being shot in Bois d’Orange; one suspect is in custody and police are investigating whether it was domestic. Crime—Ciceron murder charge: A fourth man, 21-year-old Germaine Ishonn Joseph, has been charged in connection with the February killing of “Zuzu” Givanni Andrew Joseph. Culture—Junior Carnival wins: Dugard Combined and Ave Maria Girls’ Primary were top performers at Junior Calypso and Soca school competitions. Health—Outbreak readiness: Eastern Caribbean labs are moving toward a tier-based laboratory network to speed up disease detection and response. Business—BYD backs CPL: BYD announced as Official Car Sponsor of CPL 2026, rolling out regional fan activations across eight countries including Saint Lucia. Environment—Youth climate awareness: A UNICEF-commissioned study says youth in the Eastern Caribbean, including St Lucia, lag in awareness of green and circular economy opportunities. Justice—ECSC leadership: Margaret Price Findlay has been appointed Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, effective 9 April 2026.

CARICOM in St. Lucia: Heads of Government will meet in Gros Islet from July 5–8, 2026, with the opening ceremony at Sandals St Lucia and live streaming on CARICOM’s social media. Sports Spotlight: Julien Alfred won the Rome Diamond League women’s 200m in 21.93 seconds, edging Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (22.17). Regional Justice: King Charles III appointed Madam Margaret Price Findlay as Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, effective April 9, 2026. Health & Tech: CariGenetics Saint Lucia and Lab Services & Consultations launched a partnership to bring genetic testing and advanced cancer diagnostics to patients locally. Climate Resilience: Saint Lucia received a new coastal climate risk assessment and decision-support system to guide planning and disaster preparedness. Tourism & Culture: Republic Bank launched its “Five for Fun” youth cricket programme in Castries, while schools showcased Junior Calypso & Soca talent as Carnival builds. Business & Community: BYD was named Official Car Sponsor of the Republic Bank CPL 2026, rolling out fan activations across eight countries including Saint Lucia.

Judicial Leadership: Saint Lucia’s legal landscape gets a boost as Her Ladyship Madam Margaret Price Findlay is appointed the 14th Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, effective April 9, 2026. Remembering a Statesman: Former Governor-General Sir Neville Cenac has died at 86; the government says he will receive a state funeral. Health & Diagnostics: CariGenetics Saint Lucia and Lab Services & Consultations launch a partnership to bring genetic testing and advanced cancer diagnostics, including tumour genetics and immunohistochemistry, closer to patients. Climate Resilience: Saint Lucia receives a new coastal climate risk tool to guide coastal protection and disaster planning under its National Adaptation Plan. Crime & Policing: Police report a homicide rate of about one every four days, while separate operations in Castries and the central sector led to cannabis seizures, arrests, and traffic enforcement. Fuel Costs: Gasoline and diesel prices rise to $16.75 at the pumps, with transport leaders calling for a clearer fare formula tied to fuel changes. Tourism Watch: SLTA reports April stay-over arrivals hit a record high, up 8.5% year-on-year. Youth & Culture: Republic Bank launches the 2026 “Five for Fun” youth cricket programme, and schools compete in Calypso & Soca events as Carnival season builds.

State Funeral for Sir Neville Cenac: Saint Lucia will hold a state funeral for former Governor-General and Foreign Minister Sir Neville Cenac, who died Tuesday at 86. Climate Resilience Push: Government received a new coastal climate risk assessment and decision-support system to guide infrastructure and disaster planning under the NAP Green Climate Fund project. Tourism Update: The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority reports April 2026 delivered the highest stay-over arrivals ever for the month, up 8.5% year-on-year. Fuel Prices Rise: Gasoline and diesel at the pumps increased to $16.75, with kerosene and LPG unchanged, as global oil costs feed into local pricing. Crime and Policing: Police charged eight people after a Castries-area operation seized suspected cannabis; separate reports note homicides remain high, with one killing roughly every four days. Health and Tech: CariGenetics Saint Lucia and Lab Services & Consultations announced a partnership to expand local genetic testing and advanced cancer diagnostics. Youth Cricket & Schools Culture: Republic Bank launched its “Five for Fun” youth cricket programme (sixth season), while Junior Soca and Calypso school showcases continue as Carnival builds momentum.

State Funeral for Sir Neville Cenac: Saint Lucia will accord former Governor-General Sir Neville Cenac a state funeral, marking the death of a major political figure at 86. Youth Cricket Boost: Republic Bank launched the 2026 “Five for Fun” Youth Cricket programme in Castries, with 38 primary schools set to compete in the sixth season. Carnival Culture for Kids: Dugard Combined and Ave Maria Girls’ Primary won Calypso and Soca crowns at the National Primary Schools competition, while the Junior Secondary showcase is set for June 5. Healthcare Upgrade: CariGenetics Saint Lucia and Lab Services & Consultations announced a partnership to bring genetic testing and advanced cancer diagnostics to the island and wider OECS. Climate Resilience Tools: Saint Lucia received a new coastal climate risk assessment and decision-support system to guide coastal protection and disaster planning. Crime and Public Safety: Police charged eight people after a Castries operation seized suspected cannabis and arrested a robbery suspect; meanwhile, homicide figures remain high, with about one killing every four days. Fuel Prices Pressure: Gas and diesel at the pumps increased to $16.75, sparking fresh calls for a clearer, automatic fare formula and warnings of knock-on costs. Tourism Momentum: April stay-over arrivals hit a record high, with 40,752 visitors and growth across key markets. Marine Livelihoods: A new Savannes Bay project will remove marine debris and support seamoss farmers with sustainable raft systems, backed by EC$215,000.

Genetic Testing Boost: CariGenetics Saint Lucia and Lab Services & Consultations have partnered to expand local access to genetic testing, advanced cancer diagnostics, sequencing, and precision health across Saint Lucia and the OECS. Fuel Prices & Cost of Living: Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre says gas and diesel at the pumps will rise to $16.75, blaming global crude increases; opposition and business voices warn higher fuel costs could ripple through prices nationwide. Tourism Surge: Saint Lucia recorded its strongest April stay-over arrivals on record—40,752 visitors, up 8.5% year-on-year—with gains from the US, Caribbean and Canada. Marine Livelihoods: An $80,000 marine restoration and sustainable seamoss farming initiative launched at Savannes Bay, aiming to tackle debris and support coastal resilience. Policing Crackdown: RSLPF operations across central and southern areas led to cannabis seizures, arrests, and traffic enforcement, including 488 vehicles stopped and 5 impounded. Regional Leadership: Hon. Emma Hippolyte was elected to the OAS Inter-American Commission of Women executive committee for a second consecutive term for Saint Lucia. Climate Adaptation Funding: Saint Lucia hosted a Climate Adaptation Investment Pitch and Matchmaking event to connect local project developers with international climate finance. Education Safety Concern: Principals report rising vandalism and parent harassment, calling for urgent action to protect school leadership. Crime Debate: Pierre rejected opposition claims that his crime strategy is failing, as the homicide count remains a major political flashpoint.