AGP Executive Report

CARICOM Rights Agenda: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has been appointed to chair a new CARICOM committee focused on advancing the rights of Rastafarians across the region, with representatives including Barbados, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Migrant Workers Welfare: Barbados officials, led by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and the Barbados Workers’ Union, visited construction sites after concerns over migrant workers’ living conditions; the firm was ordered to make urgent improvements and provide full worker lists. Health & Prevention: BARP has launched free annual preventative health checks for insured members through partnerships with Urgent Care Barbados and Beacon Insurance, aiming to tackle chronic disease earlier. Organ Transplant Law: Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams hailed the Human Tissue Transplant Bill as a “watershed moment,” setting up a donor and transplantation registry and clearer consent rules. Education Upgrade: The education refurbishment programme is progressing across multiple primary schools, with several works now well underway. Sports & Youth: Barbados named a 25-member team for NACAC Under-18 and Under-23 Championships in Mexico, while youth tourism leaders were urged to step forward at the Barbados Tourism Youth Congress. Regional Disaster Response: CARICOM countries are mobilising support for earthquake-hit Venezuela, including Barbados sending a small team to set up a field hospital.

Independence & Republic Celebrations: Prime Minister Mia Mottley says Barbados will scale back national celebrations to protect households from global cost pressures, shifting Independence and republic observances into a shorter three-month run while constitutional reform moves ahead. Healthcare Reform: Parliament is advancing the Human Organ and Tissue Transplant Bill 2026 to modernise organ donation and kidney care, with lawmakers aiming to expand dialysis access. Regional Travel: Guyana and Barbados begin passport-free travel using digital ID cards on CARICOM airlines, marking a push for faster regional integration. UAE Ties: UAE Minister of State Noura Al Kaabi wraps up a visit to Barbados focused on trade, digital transformation, sustainable development and investment. Sports—Cricket: Barbados cricketer Shaqkere Parris is charged with battery after an altercation with a taxi driver in Antigua, with court set for July 2. Sports—Police Leadership: Deputy Commissioner Sonia Boyce’s appointment as Commissioner of Police draws support from the Democratic League of Women, citing stronger trust and focus on women’s issues. CARICOM Inclusion: CARICOM will convene a regional meeting to address discrimination and marginalisation affecting Rastafarians, with a committee including Barbados and other member states.

Regional Integration: Guyana and Barbados begin passport-free travel using digital ID cards, with airlines including Caribbean Airlines rolling out the system. Visa and Mobility: Prime Minister Drew says government is in conversation with Ireland after visa-free entry ended for St Kitts and Nevis nationals, affecting routing and travel timelines. CARICOM Rights Agenda: CARICOM will convene a regional meeting and committee work to tackle discrimination and marginalisation affecting Rastafarians, including barriers in education, employment and public life. Barbados Cost Relief: Independence and republic celebrations are scaled back as the government prioritises cost-of-living relief, including fuel cost support. Health Upgrade: Barbados moves closer to modernising organ transplant and kidney care with new legislation creating a legal framework for organ and tissue donation and expanding dialysis access. Public Safety Leadership: Democratic League of Women hails the appointment of Deputy Commissioner Sonia Boyce as the next Commissioner of Police. Youth and Community: National Summer Camps expand to up to 51 sites with stipends for camp leaders and strengthened safety measures. Bilateral Cooperation: UAE Minister Noura Al Kaabi visits Barbados to advance cooperation on trade, digital transformation, sustainable development and investment. Tourism and Business: Saint Kitts breaks ground on a new cruise terminal at Port Zante aimed at home-porting by November 2027; hotelier Dennis Tull prepares to sell Golden Sands.

Barbados Constitution Push: Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley says the island has moved another step toward adopting a new Constitution, sharing updates at the St George Ideas Forum. CARICOM Rights Agenda: CARICOM will convene a regional meeting to tackle discrimination and marginalisation faced by Rastafarians, with a committee set to include Barbados, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Tourism Safety Watch: Aruba tops a 2026 honeymooners’ safety ranking, with Barbados close behind in the top 10, based on factors including infrastructure, crime/safety, medical access and hurricane disruption risk. SME Support Boost: The Caribbean Development Bank launches CDB Propel (formerly CTCS) to help Caribbean SMEs become more competitive and investment-ready, including digital transformation support. Cricket Spotlight: New Zealand names a 16-man ODI squad for the West Indies tour, with Matthew Fisher earning his maiden ODI call-up and Jacob Duffy returning. Port Tragedy Fallout: The family of Janet Purkess, killed in a Bridgetown port incident, slams the port authority, legal system and UK government after a case was dismissed over a technicality about whether the roadway counted as a road. Agriculture Security: Barbados agriculture minister Shantal Munro-Knight announces an interagency pilot to tackle praedial larceny and crop damage from monkeys, alongside efforts to bring more young farmers into the sector. Police Leadership: Friends of Democracy congratulates Deputy Commissioner Sonia Boyce ahead of her official appointment as Commissioner of Police on July 3.

Police Leadership: Friends of Democracy congratulates Deputy Commissioner of Police Sonia Boyce ahead of her July 3 appointment as Barbados’ first female Commissioner of Police. Justice System: A coroner in Britain criticised “extraordinary” decisions after a cruise passenger’s death in Bridgetown—Janet Purkess was killed by an unlicensed lorry driver, but the case was dismissed because the port roadway was ruled not to be a road. Pensions Update: The Central Bank says some public and National Insurance pension payments were still outstanding as of June 29, citing account validation and processing issues. Public Services Modernisation: Barbados Postal Service adds another electric vehicle and an electric postal cart as it pushes logistics and digital transformation. Agriculture & Security: Agriculture Minister Dr Shantal Munro-Knight outlines a $272m Agriculture 2030 roadmap, including an interagency pilot to tackle praedial larceny and monkeys damaging crops. Infrastructure: Government moves ahead with plans to widen Highway 2A to four lanes, with bridge redesign work underway. Regional & Global Links: CARICOM prepares a meeting on issues affecting Rastafarians, while Barbados continues to engage on regional cooperation and quality assurance, including recognition for the Barbados Accreditation Council. Community & Culture: Fisherfolk close the year’s festival with community give-back at Oistins, and the CEMIX prostate cancer walk reports growing turnout, especially among younger men.

Police Leadership: Deputy Commissioner Sonia Boyce is set to become Barbados’ first female Commissioner of Police, effective July 3, after a Protective Services Commission selection process and government consultation steps. Roads & Transport: Minister Kirk Humphrey says Highway 2A (Ronald Mapp Highway) is moving toward a four-lane upgrade, with bridge redesign work underway for the seven bridges along the 12-kilometre stretch. Postal Modernisation: Barbados Postal Service is adding electric vehicles, including a new electric cart for airport airmail operations, as part of a wider push to modernise logistics and meet carbon-neutral goals by 2030. Disaster Preparedness: Home Affairs Minister Gregory Nicholls says hurricane shelter readiness has been strengthened ahead of the 2026 season, with upgrades and backup systems in place. Health Watch: The CEMIX Prostate Cancer Walk and Run reports strong turnout, including more younger men, while a UK-based Barbadian urologist warns of later prostate cancer detection. Regional Response: CARICOM nations are preparing to send earthquake aid to Venezuela, with Barbados among those deploying search-and-rescue teams. Business & Tech: Sun Group selected Amadeus technology to power a loyalty platform across its ecosystem, while Barbados’ Central Bank reassures users about BimPay data safety.

Police Leadership: Deputy Commissioner Sonia Boyce is set to become Barbados’ first female Commissioner of Police, effective July 3, taking over from Richard Boyce. Central Banking & Payments: Central Bank Governor Kevin Greenidge reassures users that BimPay safeguards are in place as the app continues to roll out and payment issues are being addressed. Health Watch: A UK-based Barbadian urologist warns of late prostate cancer diagnoses in Barbados, urging earlier screening. Education & Safety: The UWI flags an unauthorised website using its branding to collect personal data, warning the public to verify contacts only through official channels. Regional Security & Diplomacy: Canada and CARICOM renew an action plan focused on security, climate resilience and economic development. Reparations Push: Barbados says it will take its slavery reparations fight to the UN in a joint effort with the African Union, following talks in Ghana. Disaster Response: Barbados Defence Force teams are deployed to earthquake-affected Venezuela, including a field medical hospital advance team and search-and-rescue support. OECS Digital Skills: OECS and UWI Global Campus recognise 172 digital skills scholarship recipients under a World Bank-backed programme.

Police Leadership: Deputy Commissioner Sonia Erene Boyce is set to become Barbados’ first female Commissioner of Police on July 3, taking over from retiring Commissioner Richard Boyce. Public Safety & Health: A Barbadian urologist is warning that more men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer later than ideal, urging earlier screening. Finance & Data Privacy: Central Bank Governor Kevin Greenidge says BimPay user information will remain protected as the app continues to be improved. Regional Security: Canada and CARICOM reaffirmed a renewed action plan focused on security, climate resilience and economic growth after talks in Panama. Disaster Response: Barbados Defence Force advance teams and search-and-rescue personnel are deployed to earthquake-affected Venezuela to set up a field medical hospital and support rescue operations. Heritage & Justice: Barbados will take its slavery reparations fight to the United Nations in partnership with the African Union. Sports & Community: Cooperatives are calling for unity and peace through dialogue, while scouts are being urged to practice genuine inclusion for people with disabilities. Tourism & Business: A new boutique luxury hotel, Blue Monkey Hotel & Beach Club, has opened in Paynes Bay with a private beach club and fast-track airport service.

Local Governance & Inclusion: Human Rights Commissioner Kerry Ann Ifill urged Barbados Boy Scouts leaders to move beyond “managing limitations” toward real, everyday inclusion for people with disabilities. Public Safety Leadership: Deputy Commissioner of Police Sonia Erene Boyce is set to become Barbados’ first female Commissioner of Police on July 3, following the retirement of Richard Boyce. International Solidarity: Barbados Defence Force advance and search-and-rescue teams are deployed to earthquake-affected Venezuela to set up a field medical hospital and support rescue operations. Reparations Push: Minister Trevor Prescod says Barbados will take its slavery reparations fight to the United Nations in a joint effort with the African Union, building on talks in Ghana with Prime Minister Mia Mottley. Culture & Youth: Prescod also backed structured state support to pay young Barbadian writers through school and ministry procurement. Community & Peace: The cooperative movement is calling for greater unity and peace, highlighting credit unions and other co-ops as engines of social and economic advancement. Sports: St Kitts & Nevis Patriots confirmed their CPL 2026 home fixtures at Warner Park, including a clash with Barbados Pride on September 1.

Police Leadership: Deputy Commissioner Sonia Erene Boyce is set to become Barbados’ first female Commissioner of Police on July 3, following the retirement of Richard Boyce and a Protective Services Commission process. Regional Security & Climate: Prime Minister Mia Mottley met UK PM Keir Starmer in London to discuss security cooperation, climate action and clean air, building on the Bridgetown Initiative. Canada-CARICOM Action Plan: Canada and CARICOM foreign ministers agreed a renewed, results-focused plan for competitive economies, climate action and regional security, with Haiti and organised crime on the agenda. Venezuela Earthquake Response: Barbados search-and-rescue teams are deploying to earthquake-stricken Venezuela as the death toll rises and La Guaira is declared a disaster zone. Finance Sector Reform: Barbados’ deposit insurance push for credit unions has advanced with the Protection of Depositors Bill passing, offering new protection for members’ savings. Education Debate: Parents questioned how continuous assessment and group project marks will affect placement scores under the new primary-to-secondary model. Tourism & Business: Barbados’ heritage and culture are being pitched as a driver for youth opportunities, while local entrepreneurs continue turning Caribbean identity into exportable brands.

Regional Diplomacy: Canada and CARICOM reaffirmed cooperation at the 2026 Canada-CARICOM Foreign Ministers’ Group Meeting in Panama, agreeing on a renewed action plan focused on competitive economies, climate action and regional security, with Haiti and transnational crime high on the agenda. Local Finance: The Central Bank says almost all delayed public wages have been paid under BiMPay, with about 160 payments still outstanding, and apologises for the hardship while work continues to fix payroll account formatting issues. Education Reform: Parents at a town hall challenged how continuous assessment and group project marks will affect primary-to-secondary placement, with officials confirming both group and individual components will count. Health Support: Health Minister Lisa Cummins urged corporate Barbados and service clubs to back health services through a targeted planning session, as a sensory room project was launched for children with developmental disabilities. Credit Unions: Barbados’ deposit insurance push has cleared a major hurdle with the Protection of Depositors Bill passed in the House, extending protection to credit union savers. Tourism & Culture: Prime Minister Mia Mottley received a Global Africa Ubuntu Lifetime Achievement Award in Miramar, Florida, for climate justice and global advocacy. Public Safety: Friends of Democracy renewed calls for infrastructure fixes after a tourist fell into a manhole on Belmont Road. Business & Innovation: Future Caribbean unveiled a global agentic AI buildathon to help Caribbean economies connect better with global markets.

Earthquake Response in Venezuela: Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has ordered the militarisation of La Guaira after deadly twin quakes, declaring the state a natural disaster zone and saying roads are being cleared so rescue teams—including delegations from the US, Colombia, Spain and Barbados—can reach the worst-hit areas. Barbados Education Reform: The Ministry of Education says the old one-day Secondary School Entrance Exam will be replaced by a two-year transition using 50% continuous classroom assessment and 50% national standardised tests, with parents given clearer guidance at a town hall. Public Pay Update: The Central Bank of Barbados says almost all delayed public wages have now been paid under BiMPay, with about 160 payments still outstanding while account details are corrected. Immigration Watch: Minister Gregory Nicholls says birth-tourism ads circulating online do not show a trend that warrants alarm, noting the Immigration Department has been monitoring such promotions for years. Local Grants & Youth: Rotary Club of Barbados South and the Albert Cecil Graham Development Centre will receive a $98,000 Legacy Foundation grant for a sensory room; and BYAC trainees wrapped up a World of Work career showcase. Tourism & Business: Barbados will host Marketplace 2027, while Sagicor’s Inspire Vacation Internship Programme welcomed its largest-ever cohort of 75 interns.

Central Bank Payroll Update: The Central Bank of Barbados says it is working to clear remaining outstanding salary payments, with 27,206 of about 27,366 payments already made for Central Government, the Barbados Revenue Authority and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and it apologised to workers still waiting while fixing payroll file formatting and account validation under BiMPay. Youth & Work: BYAC trainees wrapped up its 2026 World of Work Seminar with a career showcase, meeting employers and uniformed forces and hearing encouragement from youth and culture minister Shane Archer. Tourism Push: Barbados will host Marketplace 2027, announced by Tourism and International Transport Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill at Connect Barbados, as stakeholders are urged to market the investment boom early. Earthquake Relief & Regional Concern: Twin quakes in northern Venezuela have killed hundreds and injured thousands, prompting condolences and solidarity across the Caribbean, while Barbados officials renewed calls for earthquake and tsunami preparedness after tsunami alerts were shared locally. Sports: Parish Land’s 2-0 win over Pro Shottas has tightened the Barbados Football Association Division One title race, with the gap now just three points. Business/Travel: Air Canada is expanding Caribbean service and opening a new premium lounge at Québec City airport, while a separate tourism item notes Barbados’ growing global tour operator interest.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Twin “monster” quakes off Venezuela have killed at least 188 people and injured more than 1,500, with Barbados and the wider region issuing tsunami and safety updates while CARICOM and neighbours pledge support to Delcy Rodríguez’s government. Disaster Preparedness: Barbados officials say the island remains earthquake- and tsunami-prone, urging residents to keep monitoring official statements and stay ready. Caribbean Reparations Push: As African and Caribbean leaders intensify demands for reparatory justice, a new book argues the British Crown was a key architect of slavery—not a bystander—adding fuel to the region’s case. Barbados-UK Security Talks: Prime Minister Mia Mottley met UK PM Sir Keir Starmer to seek continued security cooperation, alongside climate, clean air, tourism and research collaboration. Tourism Investment Call: Tourism Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill urged international stakeholders to spread the word about a surge in tourism investment expected to top $2 billion. Credit Union Deposit Insurance: Barbados continues moving toward deposit insurance protections for credit union members, with lawmakers and advocates backing the safeguards. Football: Parish Land’s 2-0 win over Pro Shottas tightens the BFA Division One title race to three points. Sports & Community: The BFA ramps up its referee recruitment drive to tackle shortages ahead of the next season.

UK–Barbados Security Talks: Prime Minister Mia Mottley met UK PM Sir Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, seeking continued security cooperation alongside work on climate, clean air, tourism, investment and research. Venezuela Earthquake Relief: Twin quakes have triggered a state of emergency in Venezuela, with Barbados among the countries sending solidarity and support as the Caribbean braces for further regional assistance needs. Caribbean–EU Crime Cooperation: An EU official says the Caribbean is a major transit point for illicit goods into Europe, urging stronger legal cooperation through EUROJUST contact points. Ocean Action for the Region: Jamaica and Barbados signed on to the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism, adding momentum to coordinated ocean protection and financing. Workforce Planning Warning: Barbados’ TVET minister warns the country must rethink workforce development as it moves deeper into an ageing society. Credit Union Sector Moves: Barbados continues deposit-insurance progress for credit union members, with legislation and safeguards highlighted across the region. Adults-Only Cruise Push: Marella Discovery 2 will become permanently adults-only from winter 2027, with new onboard concepts and Caribbean-linked itineraries. Reparations Momentum: Barbados’ reparations push in Ghana is tied to fresh debate over Britain’s slavery role, alongside updates to the Caribbean reparations manifesto.

Tourism & Business: Connect Barbados 2026 is drawing global tour operators to the island, with organisers reporting strong interest and more detailed enquiries from travel partners. Education & Skills: Government says it will install fully equipped music production studios in secondary schools and launch a national student festival to create clearer career pathways into the entertainment industry. Health & Economy: QEH’s new linear accelerator is already cutting overseas cancer treatment costs, with officials citing major savings and expanded access to advanced care. Finance & Consumer Protection: Barbados is moving ahead with deposit insurance legislation for credit unions, while lawmakers also complain that opening bank accounts can take too long. Crime & Safety: Police are investigating an attempted robbery and fight at Black Rock, St Michael, where a detained man was injured. Regional Governance: UNDP says Caribbean workers face risks from outdated labour and technology laws, calling for faster legal updates and stronger enforcement. Climate & Policy: EU envoy warns the Caribbean is a key cocaine corridor into Europe, urging stronger judicial cooperation. International: Venezuela declares a state of emergency after twin earthquakes, with Barbados named among countries offering solidarity.