AGP Executive Report

Weather Watch: A tropical wave moving into the Caribbean is bringing heavier showers and thunderstorms, followed by a surge of Saharan dust that could reduce air quality, while the U.S. National Hurricane Centre monitors another wave farther east with a low chance of development. Tourism & Partnerships: Montserrat’s Tourism Authority says it is pushing wider reach after a strong showing at SMART 2026 in St. Maarten, with dozens of buyer and supplier meetings aimed at growing visitor links. Community Wellbeing: MOPPA UK’s “Wisdom Groove” returns at its Family Fun Day, offering a safe, inclusive senior citizens’ space with music, gentle movement and social connection, supported by Bank of Montserrat. Regional Tourism Strategy: OECS officials in Saint Lucia are training member states to build community-based tourism plans, positioning local communities as the main beneficiaries of tourism growth. Aviation Regulation: ERAA board members met in the Canary Islands to warn that EU261 compensation rules and ReFuelEU fuel mandates could strain regional airlines’ finances and operations. Local Spotlight: A community profile highlights Dr. Luke Edgecombe, a Montserrat-born surgical leader now serving in leadership roles in the region. Public Health Note: A study on food allergies reports women—especially those with multiple allergies—face the biggest quality-of-life hit. Earthquake Update: A magnitude 3.9 quake was recorded northeast of Antigua and Barbuda, with no immediate damage reports.

Tourism Push: Montserrat’s Tourism Authority says it’s building momentum after SMART 2026 in St. Maarten, reporting record participation and 35 business meetings with partners from across the region and beyond. Community Wellbeing: MOPPA UK unveiled “Wisdom Groove” for senior citizens at its Family Fun Day, with music, gentle movement and social connection supported by Bank of Montserrat and delivered with Moving Waves. Regional Tourism Strategy: OECS officials met in Saint Lucia to strengthen community-based tourism, backed by the 11th EDF, aiming to put local communities at the centre and make them the main beneficiaries. Aviation Watch: The ERAA board warned that EU261 compensation rules and ReFuelEU could raise compliance costs and create liquidity risks for regional airlines. Local Spotlight: A community profile highlighted Dr. Luke Edgecombe’s journey from Montserrat to surgical leadership in the region. Honours for Service: Irene B. Lady Williams was recognised posthumously for her lifetime of education and community work, with a school ceremony noting her lasting impact. Earthquake Update: A magnitude 3.9 quake was recorded northeast of Antigua and Barbuda; no damage was reported.

Tourism Push: Montserrat’s Tourism Authority says SMART 2026 paid off, with a bigger delegation and 35 business meetings lined up with partners across the region and beyond. Community & Culture: MOPPA UK’s “Wisdom Groove” is set to bring music, gentle movement and social connection to senior citizens at its Family Fun Day, backed by Bank of Montserrat. Regional Tourism Strategy: OECS is training member states to grow community-based tourism, aiming to put local people at the centre and keep more tourism benefits in communities. Aviation Watch: The ERAA board warned that EU261 compensation rules and ReFuelEU could raise compliance costs and liquidity risks for regional airlines. Health & Food Allergies: A Spain-based study reports women and people with multiple food allergies face worse quality of life impacts from food allergy. Montserrat Milestones: Six centenarians were honoured at a Brades ceremony, celebrating lives and service across the island. Earthquake Update: A magnitude 3.9 quake was recorded northeast of Antigua and Barbuda, with no immediate damage reported.

Tourism & Partnerships: The Montserrat Tourism Authority says its SMART 2026 push paid off, with a bigger Montserrat delegation and 35 business-to-business meetings aimed at widening the island’s visitor reach. Community & Wellbeing: MOPPA UK’s Wisdom Groove is set to bring music, gentle movement and social connection for senior citizens at its Annual Family Fun Day, backed by Bank of Montserrat. Local Profiles: A Community Spotlight highlights Dr. Luke Edgecombe, a Montserrat-born surgeon now serving in leadership roles at White River Health. Education & Service: Irene B. Lady Williams was honoured posthumously for a lifetime of service, with a school award recognising her impact on education and community development. Regional Tourism Strategy: OECS officials met in Saint Lucia to strengthen community-based tourism, focusing on turning local communities into the main beneficiaries of tourism growth. Health & Emergency Services: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is calling for urgent restoration of safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, marking 29 years since the 1997 volcanic disaster. Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 3.9 quake was recorded northeast of Antigua and Barbuda, with no immediate damage reported.

Community Spotlight: Dr. Luke Edgecombe, a Montserrat native now serving as a surgeon and trauma leader in the region, is profiled for his service-first path from medical training to leadership roles at White River Health. Honours & Education: Irene B. Lady Williams was honoured posthumously by the Irene B. Williams Secondary School for her lifetime of service to education and community development in Antigua and Barbuda. Regional Tourism Push: OECS tourism officials met in Saint Lucia to strengthen community-based tourism, backed by the EU’s 11th EDF, with leaders stressing that local communities should be the main beneficiaries—not just visitors. OECS Governance: OECS leaders reappointed Dr. Didacus Jules for a fourth term, while also agreeing to raise the retirement age for judges of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court from 65 to 70. Montserrat Community Development: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Earthquake Update: A magnitude 3.9 quake was recorded northeast of Antigua and Barbuda, with no immediate damage reported.

Montserrat Night Evacuation: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing the Legislative Assembly to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, saying key regulatory and operational gaps that stopped the service in 2019 can be fixed quickly. Community Skills & Jobs: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and home-based entrepreneurship. Regional Education & Youth Tech: ECCB will run a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, focused on AI, design thinking, and leadership. Tourism Planning: OECS tourism officials met in Saint Lucia to strengthen community-based tourism policies, backed by the EU’s RIGHT programme. Public Service Focus: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week 2026 with calls for more efficient, accountable, people-centred service. Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 3.9 quake was recorded northeast of Antigua and Barbuda, with no immediate damage reported. Arts Calendar: Montserrat Arts Council released the 2026 Calabash Festival programme for July 18–26.

Health & Food Safety: A new Spain-based study of 502 people with IgE-mediated food allergies finds women report worse health-related quality of life than men, with those facing multiple food allergies hit hardest. Regional Governance: OECS leaders reappointed Dr. Didacus Jules for a fourth term, backing his work on food sovereignty, digital transformation, healthier communities, and education reform. Montserrat Community: The Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Emergency Services: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo renewed calls for the urgent restoration of safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, marking 29 years since the 1997 volcanic disaster. Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 3.9 quake was recorded northeast of Antigua and Barbuda, with no immediate reports of damage. Culture & Calendar: The Calabash Festival 2026 calendar is out, with nine days of events running July 18–26.

Vatican Appointments: Pope Leo XIV has named Italian Salesian nun Sister Alessandra Smerilli to lead the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, effective September 1, replacing Cardinal Michael Czerny, with Cardinal Fabio Baggio appointed as pro-prefect for the Laudato si’ Higher Education Centre. Local Planning: Bromley Council has validated plans to replace a car park with a part 2/3-storey children’s home in Wharton Road, plus a separate flat for a care leaver, along with new access, parking and landscaping. Montserrat Community & Health: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship; meanwhile, former Premier Donaldson Romeo renewed calls to restore safe, continuous night-time medical evacuation services, citing outstanding requirements since flights stopped in 2019. Regional Safety & Governance: A magnitude 3.9 earthquake was recorded northeast of Antigua and Barbuda, while OECS leaders agreed to raise the retirement age for judges of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court from 65 to 70. Culture & Youth: Calabash Festival 2026 runs July 18–26 with a full nine-day programme, and the ECCB will host a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, including Montserrat.

Vatican Appointments: Pope Leo XIV has named Italian Salesian nun Sister Alessandra Smerilli to lead the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, effective September 1, replacing Cardinal Michael Czerny, and also appointed Cardinal Fabio Baggio as pro-prefect for the Laudato si’ Higher Education Centre—part of a wider push to put more women into top Holy See leadership roles. Regional Governance: OECS leaders marked 45 years of integration and backed a push for an “OECS renaissance,” with chairmanship shifting from St Vincent’s Godwin Friday to Antigua’s Gaston Browne. Montserrat Community & Skills: The Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Health & Safety Call: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo urged the Legislative Assembly to restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation services, citing ongoing regulatory and operational gaps since flights stopped in 2019. Earthquake Update: A magnitude 3.9 quake was recorded northeast of Antigua and Barbuda, with no immediate damage reports.

Maritime Strategy: More than 70 delegates at the 37th Red Ensign Group conference in Hamilton, including Montserrat’s Harbourmaster Joseph O’Garro, are pushing talks on shipping strategy, future fuels and security, with attendees hopeful for practical solutions to global fuel-price pressures. National Recognition: The Office of the Premier honoured six Montserrat centenarians at a Brades ceremony, celebrating Charles Richard Lee (101), Eliza Wilhelmina “Miss Liz” Johnson (101), George Yearwood (103), Florence Malone (104), Mary Dorothy “Nenen” Allen (106) and Sarah Piper (109). Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 3.9 quake was recorded northeast of Antigua and Barbuda, with no immediate reports of damage or injuries reported. Regional Governance: OECS leaders marked 45 years of integration and set an “OECS renaissance” agenda under new chair Gaston Browne, while also agreeing to raise the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges’ retirement age from 65 to 70. Community & Skills: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Health Services Push: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo urged the Legislative Assembly to restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation services, citing ongoing gaps since 2019.

Montserrat Health & Safety: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is urging the Legislative Assembly to back a resolution calling for the urgent restoration of safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, halted in 2019 after safety concerns over the BN-2 Islander aircraft; the resolution is expected to be tabled June 30. Regional Governance: OECS leaders agreed to raise the retirement age for Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges from 65 to 70, citing recruitment challenges, as the 78th OECS Authority meeting also pushed an “OECS renaissance” on trade, connectivity, and resilience. Youth & Skills: The ECCB announced a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to build tech and leadership skills. Community & Culture: The Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Sports & Identity: Grenada’s Olympic champion Kirani James will replace Queen Elizabeth II on the EC$5 banknote, with redesigned notes expected to enter circulation in 2027. Arts & Tourism: Calabash Festival 2026 runs July 18–26 with nine days of events, food, and community activities.

Regional Currency & Pride: Grenada’s Olympic sprint star Kirani James will replace Queen Elizabeth II on the Eastern Caribbean’s EC$5 banknote, with the redesigned notes expected to enter circulation in 2027. Earthquake Preparedness: UWI’s Seismic Research Centre urged calm but continued readiness after major quakes in Venezuela, noting the events released energy across the Caribbean Plate and may affect regional stress, while stressing it’s hard to link individual quakes directly. OECS Governance: OECS leaders agreed to raise the retirement age for Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges from 65 to 70, aiming to ease recruitment challenges and keep expertise in place. Montserrat Health Priority: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing for urgent restoration of safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, saying a resolution will be tabled June 30 and that key requirements could be addressed quickly. STEM for Youth: The ECCB announced a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, including Montserrat. Culture & Community: Montserrat’s Calabash Festival 2026 calendar is out, with nine days of events running July 18–26, from tours and craft nights to major market and food fair days. Women’s Skills: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship.

Seismic Preparedness: UWI’s Seismic Research Centre urged calm after major earthquakes in Venezuela, saying the events released energy across the Caribbean Plate and may raise regional quake activity, but there’s “no evidence” they’re tied to the same fault system—still, residents should stay prepared. Regional Justice Reform: OECS leaders agreed to raise the retirement age for judges of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court from 65 to 70, citing recruitment challenges when judges retire at 65. OECS Renaissance Push: At the OECS’ 45th anniversary and 78th Authority meeting in Antigua, chairmanship shifted to Gaston Browne, who called for bold, transformative leadership and faster implementation on trade, connectivity, climate resilience and security. Women’s Skills & Income: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support home-based enterprise. Health Emergency Call: Donaldson Romeo urged support for restoring safe, continuous night-time medical evacuation services, noting flights stopped in 2019 and key requirements still need completion. STEM for Youth: ECCB announced a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, focused on tech creation and leadership. Calabash Festival Calendar: Montserrat Arts Council released the 2026 Calabash Festival dates (July 18–26) with nine days of culture, food and community events.

Public Service Week 2026: Saint Lucia marked June 21–26 with a push for more efficient, accountable, people-centred public service, with Minister Stephenson King urging innovation and stronger collaboration. Regional Justice Reform: OECS leaders agreed to raise the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges’ retirement age from 65 to 70, citing recruitment challenges and the need to keep experienced expertise in place. Montserrat Health Priority: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is calling for urgent restoration of safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, with a resolution expected to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly on June 30. Women’s Skills & Jobs: The Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Youth Tech Boost: The ECCB announced a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, including Montserrat. Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council released the nine-day Calabash Festival calendar, running July 18–26 under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life.” Regional Currency Spotlight: Kirani James is set to appear on the redesigned EC$5 banknote, with the new series expected to enter circulation in 2027.

Public Service Week 2026: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week with calls for more efficient, accountable, people-centred service, urging public servants to embrace innovation and stronger collaboration. World Cup & National Pride: A fresh look at Mauricio Pochettino’s impact on Team USA credits him with rebuilding belief and unity around the tournament. OECS Justice Reform: OECS leaders agreed to raise the retirement age for Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges from 65 to 70, aiming to ease recruitment challenges and keep expertise in place. Regional Integration Push: At the OECS Authority’s 78th meeting in Antigua, chair Gaston Browne called for an “OECS renaissance,” focusing on trade, connectivity, economic resilience, and climate readiness. Montserrat Health Priority: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is urging the Legislative Assembly to support urgent restoration of safe night-time medical evacuation services, tied to the 1997 disaster anniversary. Women’s Skills & Jobs: The Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. STEM for Youth: The ECCB announced a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for students across ECCU territories, including Montserrat. Culture Calendar: Montserrat’s Calabash Festival 2026 is set for July 18–26, with nine days of events spanning food, arts, community and youth showcases. ECCB STEM Camp: The ECCB’s free four-week STEM Camp opens July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU member territories, including Montserrat.

Public Service Week 2026: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week with calls for a more efficient, accountable, people-first public service, urging innovation and stronger collaboration across government. World Cup Spotlight: A fresh look at Mauricio Pochettino’s impact on Team USA frames the tournament as a national belief-builder, with the squad rallying around his message. OECS Justice Reform: OECS leaders agreed to raise the retirement age for judges of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court from 65 to 70, citing recruitment challenges and the need for experienced bench strength. Montserrat Health Priority: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing the Legislative Assembly to back a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, marking 29 years since the 1997 volcanic disaster. Women’s Skills & Income: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. STEM for Youth: ECCB announced a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU member territories, including Montserrat. Calabash Festival 2026: Montserrat Arts Council released the nine-day Calabash Festival calendar (July 18–26), packed with culture, food, community events, and youth activities. ECCB Currency Update: Kirani James is set to appear on the EC$5 banknote as part of an ECCB redesign rolling out in 2027.