AGP Executive Report

EU Pressure on Golden Passports: The European Commission has warned Antigua and Barbuda and four other Eastern Caribbean states to phase out citizenship-by-investment by June 1, 2028, or risk losing Schengen visa-free access. Tourism & Travel: Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas made a cruise call to Antigua, boosting port-area business for vendors, taxis, tour operators and shops. CPL Cricket Business: Republic Bank CPL confirmed 2026 broadcast partners and matchday upgrades, including drone shows tied to fixtures featuring Antigua & Barbuda Falcons. Hurricane Watch: 268Weather cut its 2026 Atlantic forecast to 12 named storms and two major hurricanes, linking the shift to a strengthening El Niño while urging continued preparedness. Work & Livelihoods: The ILO warns El Niño 2026–27 could hit jobs and incomes across Latin America and the Caribbean, with agriculture, fisheries, energy and logistics among the most exposed. Local Industry Talent: Antiguans Ajenai Charles and Kha-Lique Harris were selected for the Caribbean STEM SPISE programme, while Gregory “Driftwood” Athill was re-elected president of the Antigua National Taxi Association. Health Support: The Calvin Ayre Foundation and MBS backed urgent overseas cardiac treatment for Ulysis James in Martinique.

Cruise & Tourism: Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas docked in St. John’s, bringing a full day of port activity for vendors, taxi drivers, tour operators and shopkeepers as passengers split between beaches, Nelson’s Dockyard and local shopping. Regional Tourism Value: A study by CV Villas ranked Dhigurah (Maldives) among the world’s top valuable beaches—useful context for how coastal assets are marketed globally, with Grace Bay (Turks & Caicos) also featuring high in the list. CPL Cricket Business: Republic Bank CPL confirmed broadcast partners for 2026 and set the season start (7 Aug), while drone shows are planned at Arnos Vale before key matches featuring Antigua & Barbuda Falcons. Carnival 70 Planning: Antigua Carnival leaders discussed how to lift Carnival 70’s global profile—pushing mas as a major draw and exploring more celebrity pull while protecting local identity. Policy & Compliance: The EU has asked Antigua and four other Eastern Caribbean states to phase out CBI programmes by June 1, 2028, warning Schengen visa-free access could be at risk. Energy & Industry Funding: IRENA opened a funding call for renewable projects across the Caribbean, including Antigua and Barbuda, covering generation, clean transport and green industrialization. Health Support: The Calvin Ayre Foundation, with MBS, backed urgent overseas cardiac treatment for Ulysis James in Martinique. Community Safety: Search efforts for missing woman Shenett Jacobs continued with drones, K-9 units and volunteers around Brown’s Bay/Nonsuch Bay.

CBI Shock for Antigua & Barbuda: The EU has asked Antigua and four other Eastern Caribbean states to phase out citizenship-by-investment by June 1, 2028 or risk losing Schengen visa-free access, with Antigua confirming the deadline in an EC letter and pointing to a 24-month transition. Tourism & Events: Republic Bank CPL matches at Arnos Vale (St Vincent) on Aug 7 and Aug 9 will kick off at 7:15pm with pre-game drone shows—Aug 7 features Jamaica Kingsmen vs Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, and Aug 9 has Antigua and Barbuda Falcons vs St Lucia Kings. Energy & Industry Pipeline: IRENA opened a funding call for renewable energy projects across Central America and the Caribbean, including Antigua and Barbuda, prioritizing submissions before Sept 1 and covering solar, wind, clean transport, green hydrogen and even energy from sargassum. Local Health Support: The Calvin Ayre Foundation and MBS backed urgent overseas cardiac treatment for Ulysis James, covering full treatment costs and medical travel to Martinique. Community Safety: Search efforts for missing woman Shenett Jacobs continue with police, drones, K-9 units and volunteers focusing on Brown’s Bay/Nonsuch Bay.

CPL & Local Sports Buzz: The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League kicks off Friday, Aug 7, with “Cricket Played Louder,” and Antigua and Barbuda Falcons are set to face Jamaica Kingsmen at Arnos Vale (7:15pm), with another Arnos Vale match on Aug 9 vs St Lucia Kings—both featuring a pre-game drone show. Health & Community Support: The Calvin Ayre Foundation, with the Medical Benefits Scheme, helped fund urgent overseas cardiac treatment for Ulysis James in Martinique. Weather Watch: 268Weather revised the Atlantic hurricane outlook downward to 12 named storms, four hurricanes and two major hurricanes, citing a strengthening El Niño—still a reminder not to get complacent. Energy & Industry Pipeline: IRENA opened a funding call for renewable energy projects across Central America and the Caribbean, including Antigua and Barbuda, with proposals prioritized before Sept 1. Government Planning with Data: ECLAC Caribbean strengthened its partnership with Antigua and Barbuda through a data-and-statistics masterclass for better policy decisions. Missing Person Search: Police, drones and K-9 teams continue efforts to find Shenett Jacobs, last seen July 25 near Brown’s Bay/Nonsuch Bay. Renewable Leadership: Veteran engineer Girvan Piggott was appointed Antigua and Barbuda’s new Director of Energy.

Data for Better Policy: ECLAC Caribbean Director Miosotis Rivas Peña visited St. John’s to train senior officials on using official statistics to strengthen resilience-focused planning. Renewables Funding Call: IRENA opened a funding proposal window for renewable energy projects across Central America and the Caribbean, including Antigua and Barbuda, with support routed through its Climate Investment Platform and Energy Transition Finance Accelerator. Energy Leadership: Antigua and Barbuda appointed veteran engineer Girvan Piggott as Director of Energy, tasked with driving energy efficiency and renewable expansion. Pharma Regulation Links Up: Chief Drug Inspector Alfred Athill attended India’s Global Drug Regulatory Conclave to strengthen international cooperation on drug safety and regulation. Tourism & Hospitality Talent: Antiguan chef Nadine Anthony joins the official judging panel for the Caribbean Baking Awards, while Ryancia Henry was appointed hotel manager at The Knox, Auberge Collection in Dallas. Carnival Culture & Waste: Zaine Frederick made history as the first Antiguan to win Miss Caribbean Culture Queen 2026, and a local initiative is pushing for Carnival waste to be separated at the source for real recycling outcomes. Search Continues: Multi-agency efforts to find missing woman Shenett Jacobs resumed with drones, K-9 units and ground searches around Brown’s Bay/Nonsuch Bay. Infrastructure: Runway paving work at V.C. Bird International Airport was completed.

Airport Upgrade: Runway paving is completed at V.C. Bird International Airport as the US$50m airfield rehabilitation nears completion, with a new asphalt surface and a Runway End Safety Area to boost safety and durability. Renewables Funding: IRENA has opened a funding call for renewable energy projects across Central America and the Caribbean, including Antigua and Barbuda, prioritizing proposals before Sept 1. Energy Leadership: Veteran engineer Girvan Piggott has been appointed Antigua and Barbuda’s Director of Energy, tasked with steering energy efficiency and renewable expansion. Bilateral Tech Ties: ICTs, Utilities and Energy Minister Melford Nicholas met Japan’s state minister to deepen cooperation, including Japanese technology and private-sector expertise. Tourism & Culture: Antigua Carnival 2026 continues to draw crowds, with Inet Party Monarch winners crowned and major Carnival City shows like Melting Pot packing in fans. Hospitality Career Win: Antiguan Ryancia Henry appointed hotel manager at The Knox, Auberge Collection in Dallas. Public Safety Search: Multi-agency searches continue for missing woman Shennett Jacobs, with drones and canine teams deployed around Brown’s Bay/Nonsuch Bay. Renewable Skills & Recognition: Antigua pastry chef Gabrielle Thomas named Pastry Chef of the Year at the 2026 Caribbean Baking Awards.

Renewables Funding: IRENA opened a funding call for renewable energy projects across Central America and the Caribbean, including Antigua and Barbuda, with proposals prioritized before Sept 1 and support via its Climate Investment Platform and Energy Transition Finance Accelerator. Energy Leadership: Antigua and Barbuda appointed veteran engineer Girvan Piggott as Director of Energy, aiming to push renewable rollout, energy efficiency and energy security. Airport Upgrade: Runway paving at V.C. Bird International Airport is completed, moving the US$50m rehabilitation toward final testing and approval stages. Maritime Jobs: Tropical Shipping, PMAC and the Port Authority launched the second Maritime Apprenticeship cohort, training young people in shipping, port operations and logistics. Pharma Regulation: Chief Drug Inspector Alfred Athill represented Antigua and Barbuda at India’s Global Drug Regulatory Conclave, joining regulators and industry on drug safety and regulatory convergence. Tourism & Hospitality: Antiguan Ryancia Henry was appointed hotel manager at The Knox, Auberge Collection in Dallas, while The Verandah Antigua continues to draw attention as an adults-only resort option. Public Safety: Police and volunteers began a search for missing woman Shenett Jacobs, last seen July 25 near Brown’s Bay/Nonsuch Bay. Public Opinion: A survey found most Antiguans oppose commercial whaling and say many were unaware of government advocacy. Travel Disruption: WestJet’s flight attendant strike caused widespread cancellations affecting travellers trying to reach Antigua and Barbuda. Climate Watch: Regional forecasts warn of intense heat, uneven rainfall and flood risk later in the wet season.

Search & Safety: Police, military and volunteers are launching a major search for missing woman Shennett Jacobs, last seen July 25 near Brown’s Bay/Nonsuch Bay, with the public urged to share any tips. Energy Leadership: Antigua and Barbuda appoints veteran engineer Girvan Piggott as Director of Energy, aiming to push renewable energy, efficiency and energy security. Aviation & Infrastructure: Runway paving at V.C. Bird International Airport is completed, moving the US$50m rehabilitation toward final testing and regulatory sign-off. Maritime Jobs: Tropical Shipping, PMAC and the Port Authority welcome a second cohort of maritime apprentices for six weeks of hands-on training in shipping and logistics. Tourism & Hospitality: Antiguan Ryancia Henry is named hotel manager at The Knox, Auberge Collection, Dallas, while Antigua’s Inet Party Monarch crowned Young Lyrics and Tian Winter in major soca categories. Public Policy & Trade: PM Browne renews calls for reparations as justice, and a survey finds most Antiguans oppose commercial whaling and say they were unaware of government advocacy. Regional Compliance: The EU has warned five Eastern Caribbean CBI states, including Antigua and Barbuda, to phase out programmes by June 1, 2028 or face possible Schengen visa-free suspension.

Commonwealth Trade Push: A new op-ed argues CHOGM should be more than sport, saying the Commonwealth’s shared ties can boost trade, investment and enterprise across member states. Drought & Water Security: The Antigua and Barbuda Evangelical Alliance holds an Emancipation Day Prayer-cade with a key stop at Pot Works Dam, asking for increased rainfall as drought strains water and agriculture. Reparations Debate: PM Gaston Browne renews calls for reparatory justice, framing reparations as equity and historical accountability, not charity. Energy Leadership: The ICTs, Utilities and Energy Minister appoints veteran engineer Girvan Piggott as Director of Energy, citing renewable energy and energy security priorities. Airport Upgrade: Runway paving at V.C. Bird International Airport is completed, moving the US$50m rehabilitation toward final testing and approvals. Maritime Jobs Pipeline: Tropical Shipping, PMAC and the Port Authority welcome a second cohort of maritime apprentices for six weeks of hands-on training in shipping, port operations and logistics. Tourism & Hospitality Careers: Antiguan Ryancia Henry is named hotel manager at The Knox in Dallas, highlighting Caribbean talent in luxury hospitality. Public Sentiment on Whaling: A survey finds most Antiguans oppose commercial whaling and say they were largely unaware of government advocacy. CBI Shockwave: The EU asks five Eastern Caribbean citizenship-by-investment states, including Antigua and Barbuda, to phase out programmes by June 1, 2028, warning of possible Schengen visa-free suspension.

Aviation Disruption: A WestJet flight attendant strike has cancelled hundreds of flights, leaving travellers stranded and scrambling for alternatives, including passengers trying to reach Antigua and Barbuda. Faith & Water Security: The Antigua and Barbuda Evangelical Alliance holds an Emancipation Day Prayer-cade with a key stop at Pot Works Dam, asking for increased rainfall amid drought pressures on water and agriculture. Hospitality Careers: Antiguan Ryancia Henry lands a hotel manager role at The Knox, Auberge Collection in Dallas, highlighting Caribbean talent moving up in global luxury hospitality. Energy Leadership: Veteran engineer Girvan Piggott is appointed Antigua and Barbuda’s new Director of Energy, tasked with steering energy efficiency and renewable expansion. Health Regulation: Chief Drug Inspector Alfred Athill represents Antigua and Barbuda at a Global Drug Regulatory Conclave in India, focused on strengthening pharmaceutical oversight and cooperation. Maritime Workforce: Tropical Shipping, PMAC and the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority launch the second Maritime Apprenticeship cohort, training young people across shipping, port operations and logistics. Airport Infrastructure: Runway paving at V.C. Bird International Airport is completed, moving the US$50m rehabilitation into final testing and approvals. Public Sentiment on Whaling: A new survey finds most Antiguans oppose commercial whaling and are largely unaware of government advocacy. Citizenship-by-Investment Pressure: EU letters urge CBI countries to phase out programmes by June 1, 2028, with Nevis Premier Mark Brantley calling for a longer transition. Agriculture Land Rules: The agriculture ministry orders former ADC land tenants to regularize tenancy or risk losing access, aiming to boost food and nutrition security. Power & Water Briefing: APUA repairs a damaged Pigotts transmission tower, causing temporary electricity disruptions and reduced water production at RO plants. Tourism Spotlight: Antigua and Barbuda ranks among the top beach destinations for 2026 in a regional travel list, reinforcing the island’s tourism pull.

Drought Watch: The Antigua and Barbuda Evangelical Alliance is holding an Emancipation Day Prayer-cade today, with a key stop at Pot Works Dam focused on prayers for increased rainfall as the country battles ongoing drought and its knock-on effects for water and agriculture. Reparations Push: Prime Minister Gaston Browne used his Emancipation Day address to renew calls for reparatory justice over slavery and colonialism, arguing the case is about justice and accountability, not charity. Energy Leadership: Veteran engineer Girvan Piggott has been appointed Director of Energy in the Ministry, tasked with steering energy efficiency, renewable opportunities and energy security. Airport Upgrade: Runway paving at V.C. Bird International Airport is completed, moving the US$50m rehabilitation toward final testing and approvals. Maritime Skills: Tropical Shipping, PMAC and the Port Authority have launched the second Maritime Apprenticeship cohort, giving three young Antiguans hands-on training across shipping, port operations and logistics. Pharma Regulation: Chief Drug Inspector Alfred Athill is representing Antigua and Barbuda at a Global Drug Regulatory Conclave in India. Tourism & Hospitality: Antiguan hospitality professional Ryancia Henry has been appointed hotel manager at The Knox in Dallas, while Antigua is also ranked among TTW’s top beach destinations for 2026. Public Sentiment: A new survey finds most Antiguans oppose commercial whaling and say many were unaware of government advocacy.

Energy Leadership: Antigua and Barbuda appointed veteran engineer Girvan Piggott as Director of Energy, tasked with steering energy efficiency and renewable expansion. Airport Works: Runway 07-25 paving at V.C. Bird International Airport is now completed, moving the US$50m rehabilitation into final testing and approvals. Power Reliability: APUA repaired a damaged Pigotts transmission tower after a widespread outage, with temporary rerouting and reduced water production during the works. Maritime Jobs: Tropical Shipping, PMAC and the Port Authority launched the second Maritime Apprenticeship cohort, placing three young Antiguans/Barbudans into six weeks of hands-on shipping, port and logistics training. Agriculture Access: The Ministry of Agriculture says former ADC agricultural land tenants must regularize their leases or risk losing access, to protect food and nutrition security. Public Policy Pressure: A survey found most Antiguans oppose commercial whaling and many were unaware of government advocacy, as the country faces upcoming International Whaling Commission discussions. Citizenship-by-Investment Risk: The EU has urged Antigua and other Eastern Caribbean states to phase out CBI programmes by June 1, 2028, raising fears of future Schengen visa-free suspension. Tourism & Industry Spotlight: The Verandah Antigua promotes an adults-only, cottage-style resort model, while TTW ranked Antigua and Barbuda among the top beach destinations for 2026.

Energy Leadership: Veteran engineer Girvan Piggott has been appointed Antigua and Barbuda’s new Director of Energy, effective Aug. 1, bringing 20+ years of APUA project experience as the ministry pushes renewable energy and energy security. Pharmaceutical Regulation: Chief Drug Inspector Alfred Athill is attending the Global Drug Regulatory Conclave in New Delhi, joining regulators from 40 countries to discuss drug safety, quality assurance, and stronger international cooperation. Airport Infrastructure: Runway paving at V.C. Bird International Airport is completed, moving the US$50m rehabilitation into final testing and approvals, with completion expected in late August/early September. Maritime Skills: Tropical Shipping, PMAC, and the Port Authority have started the second cohort of a six-week Maritime Apprenticeship Programme, rotating trainees through shipping, port operations, logistics, and documentation. Electricity Disruptions: APUA repaired a damaged Pigotts transmission tower, causing temporary power interruptions and reduced water production at reverse osmosis plants. Policy & Public Sentiment: A survey finds nearly two-thirds of Antiguans and Barbudans oppose commercial whaling and many were unaware of government advocacy. Cybersecurity for CHOGM: Antigua and Barbuda signed a UK MoU to boost cybersecurity readiness ahead of CHOGM 2026. Citizenship-by-Investment Pressure: EU letters urge CBI countries to phase out programmes by June 1, 2028, with Nevis Premier Mark Brantley calling for a longer transition. Agriculture Land Use: The Ministry of Agriculture is requiring former ADC agricultural land tenants to regularize tenancy or risk losing access, aiming to protect food and nutrition security.

Maritime Skills: Tropical Shipping, PMAC and the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority welcomed a second cohort of maritime apprentices (Dezante Maile, Myah Ward, Shekinah Hector) for six weeks of hands-on training across shipping, port operations, logistics and more. Aviation & Infrastructure: Runway paving at V.C. Bird International Airport is completed, moving the US$50m rehabilitation into final testing and approvals, with completion expected in late August/early September. Energy Reliability: APUA repaired a damaged Pigotts transmission tower, restoring power after a widespread outage and warning of brief follow-up interruptions; water production was temporarily reduced at RO plants. Agriculture Land Access: The Ministry of Agriculture says former ADC agricultural tenants must regularize crown land leases or risk losing access, aiming to protect food and nutrition security. Citizenship-by-Investment Pressure: The EU has asked five Eastern Caribbean CBI states, including Antigua and Barbuda, to phase out programmes by June 1, 2028, with visa-exemption risks; Nevis Premier Mark Brantley calls for a longer transition and a coordinated regional response. Public Opinion & Whaling: A survey finds most Antiguans oppose commercial whaling and say they were largely unaware of government advocacy. Cybersecurity for CHOGM: Antigua and Barbuda signed a UK MoU to strengthen cyber readiness ahead of CHOGM 2026. Tourism & Culture: Carnival City hosted major Melting Pot shows with Machel Montano drawing thousands, while Smalta Junior Carnival Parade brought families and young performers into St John’s.

Airport Works: Runway paving is finished at V.C. Bird International Airport, moving the US$50m rehabilitation into final testing and approvals, with grooving, markings, and ground-lighting still to be completed. Power & Water Reliability: APUA restored electricity after a widespread outage, and separately repaired a damaged Pigotts transmission tower that caused temporary power reroutes and reduced water output at reverse osmosis plants. Maritime Jobs & Training: Tropical Shipping, PMAC, and the Port Authority launched the second Maritime Apprenticeship cohort, placing three young Antiguans/Barbudans into six weeks of hands-on rotations across shipping, port operations, logistics, and documentation. Agriculture Land Access: The Ministry of Agriculture is pushing former ADC tenants to regularize crown land leases tied to food production or risk losing access. CBI Pressure on the Region: The EU has asked five Eastern Caribbean CBI states to phase out programmes by June 1, 2028, with Nevis Premier Mark Brantley calling for a longer five-year transition and a coordinated regional response. Cybersecurity for CHOGM: Antigua and Barbuda signed a UK MoU to strengthen cyber incident response ahead of CHOGM 2026.

WTO Aftermath: Antigua’s landmark 2003 WTO win over the US—worth about US$21 million a year—still hasn’t been collected, with details tied to World Sports Exchange’s original case and licensing push. CBI Shockwave: The EU has asked Antigua and four other Eastern Caribbean states to phase out citizenship-by-investment programmes by June 1, 2028, warning that visa-free access to Schengen could be suspended under the EU’s Visa Suspension Mechanism. Airport Upgrade: Runway paving at V.C. Bird International Airport is now completed, moving the US$50m rehabilitation toward final testing and approvals, with remaining works including lighting and markings. Maritime Jobs Pipeline: Tropical Shipping, PMAC and the Port Authority launched the second Maritime Apprenticeship cohort, giving three young Antiguans hands-on rotations across shipping, port operations, logistics and documentation. Power & Water Disruption: APUA restored electricity after a widespread Pigotts transmission tower fault, with temporary outages and reduced water production during repairs. Agriculture Land Rules: The Ministry is requiring former ADC agricultural land tenants to regularize tenancy or risk losing access, aiming to protect food and nutrition security. Cybersecurity Boost: Antigua and Barbuda signed a UK MoU to strengthen cyber resilience ahead of CHOGM 2026. Regional Finance Leadership: Dominica’s Dr Irving McIntyre took over as ECCB Monetary Council chair, with climate resilience highlighted as a key priority.