AGP Executive Report

School Health Push: Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Health urges parents, teachers and students to start the new school year with “Be Healthy, Active, Smart,” focusing on better nutrition, short movement breaks, and mental well-being check-ins. Heat Stress Warning: Health clinics are already seeing more dizziness and fainting linked to rising temperatures, with El Niño expected to worsen heat and strain water supplies, farming and daily life. Affordable Housing + Climate Resilience: Saint Lucia signed a US$20m Taiwan Eximbank loan (via SLDB) to expand affordable homeownership, with climate-resilient upgrades like improved drainage, water storage and solar. Energy Efficiency Meeting: Saint Lucia will host a CARICOM regional energy efficiency building code meeting (Aug 31–Sep 3) to update standards and minimum energy performance for buildings. Underwater Culture Tourism: The island is developing three underwater sculpture parks, starting with an Aug 29–30 exhibition for an Anse La Verdue dive park. Regional Health Training: PAHO/WHO supported critical care simulation training for severe infections across seven Eastern Caribbean countries, including Saint Lucia. Youth Sustainability Action: JCI St. Lucia challenges young people to turn sustainability awareness into real action during Sustainability Week.

Heat & Health: Saint Lucia’s hot spell is already sending more patients to clinics with dizziness and fainting, as doctors warn of heat stress risks for older adults, children, and pregnant women while El Niño is expected to push conditions hotter and drier. Energy Efficiency: Saint Lucia will host a CARICOM meeting on updating the Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code and Minimum Energy Performance Standards, aiming to raise the bar for greener construction across the region. Sustainable Housing Finance: A US$20 million Taiwan EXIM Bank loan facility is set to expand affordable, climate-resilient housing and community infrastructure in Saint Lucia, including water storage, solar, and drainage upgrades. Marine Conservation & Culture: Saint Lucia is developing three underwater sculpture parks—starting with an Aug. 29-30 exhibition for Anse La Verdue—adding history and heritage to the island’s dive tourism. Agriculture & Climate-Smart Learning: SALCC’s farm is running climate-resilient bell pepper trials using shade cloth, drip irrigation, and biological pest control to help farmers handle heat and disease pressures.

Community Tourism & Local Livelihoods: Saint Lucia is rolling out community-led travel experiences, including new e-bike tours and producer visits like Howelton Estate, with an agent booking platform planned from October to help clients spend locally. Youth Sustainability to Action: JCI St. Lucia is pushing Sustainability Week beyond awareness, challenging young people to cut waste and turn ideas into real steps for the island. Housing, Infrastructure & Climate Resilience: A US$20 million EXIM Bank loan via the Saint Lucia Development Bank will fund affordable, quality, and climate-resilient homes and upgrades such as water storage, solar and drainage. Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Saint Lucia will host a CARICOM meeting (Aug 31–Sep 3) to review and revise the regional energy efficiency building code and minimum energy performance standards. Marine Culture Tourism: The island is creating three underwater sculpture parks—starting with an Aug. 29–30 exhibition for Anse La Verdue—aimed at boosting dive tourism while telling local history and heritage. Agriculture Skills for Resilience: Taiwan Technical Mission training is improving leaf lettuce cultivation and harvesting, while SALCC farm trials are testing climate-resilient bell pepper varieties under protected conditions.

Sustainable Agriculture: Taiwan Technical Mission ran a workshop at its Union demonstration farm, training Saint Lucian farmers on better leaf lettuce harvesting and repeat cropping, using Rapid Red, Georgia and Chris Green, plus hydroponics know-how. Marine Conservation & Tourism: Saint Lucia is building three underwater sculpture parks—starting with an Aug. 29-30 exhibition for the Anse La Verdue dive park—then expanding to a snorkel park and a conservation park to add culture to the island’s reef-and-dive economy. Climate-Ready Farming: Sir Arthur Lewis Community College is testing climate-resilient bell pepper varieties in a greenhouse and trialling climate-smart practices like shade cloth, drip irrigation, mulch and biological pest control to help farmers handle heat and disease pressure. Health & Resilience: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis assumed the PAHO/WHO role for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, tasked with strengthening equitable health systems across OECS and nearby territories. Community Support: The Saint Lucia Workers Credit Union marked its 2026/27 scholarship drive, awarding secondary-level scholarships to nine top students as schools reopen in September. Water & Infrastructure: WASCO reported measures to address water leaks, while an MP spoke out about damage to water infrastructure.

Marine Tourism & Culture: Saint Lucia is creating three underwater sculpture parks—starting with a Dive Park at Anse La Verdue (Canaries) unveiled Aug. 29–30—then expanding into a Snorkel Park and a Conservation Park to add history and heritage to the island’s reef-and-wreck dive scene. Public Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis has assumed the PAHO/WHO Representative role for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, bringing 25 years’ experience to help strengthen resilient, equitable health systems across the OECS and wider region. Water Security: WASCO says it’s stepping up to cut water leakages by setting up a Water Management Unit for leak detection, repair, and better metering, alongside long-term pipeline replacement work. Medicinal Cannabis Oversight: Saint Kitts and Nevis is moving to seed-to-sale tracking for medicinal cannabis, recording financial transactions alongside plants and batches to support licensing and anti-money laundering obligations. Regional Policy Pressure: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley says “CBI as we know it is dead,” arguing investment migration is being squeezed by tougher global immigration and EU phase-out demands. Climate-Ready Farming: SALCC’s farm is running climate-resilient bell pepper trials using shade cloth, drip irrigation, mulch, and biological pest control to help local farmers handle heat and disease risks.

Underwater Heritage Tourism: Saint Lucia is creating three underwater sculpture parks—starting with a Dive Park at Anse La Verdue (Canaries) unveiled Aug. 29–30—then expanding into a Snorkel Park and a Conservation Park to add culture and history to the island’s reef-and-wreck dive scene. Water Security: WASCO says it’s moving to cut water leakages by setting up a Water Management Unit for leak detection, repair, and better metering, plus a Non-Revenue Water Unit to monitor losses, alongside major pipeline replacement work. Climate-Ready Farming Trials: SALCC’s farm is running greenhouse and protected-crop research on climate-resilient bell peppers, using shade cloth, drip irrigation, mulch, and biological pest control to help farmers handle heat and disease pressure. Regional Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis has assumed the PAHO/WHO representative role for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, with a mandate to strengthen resilient, equitable health systems across OECS and nearby territories. Digital Growth for MSMEs: The CDB and Barbados Small Business Association launched a regional push to help MSMEs in Saint Lucia and other islands adopt digital tools, improve competitiveness, and expand market reach.

Underwater Heritage Tourism: Saint Lucia is moving ahead with three underwater sculpture parks—starting with a public exhibition Aug. 29-30 at Anse La Verdue near Canaries—aimed at adding culture and history to the island’s already strong dive and snorkel tourism, with a planned “dive-sculpture corridor” that will later include a Snorkel Park and a Conservation Park. Water Security: WASCO says it’s tackling rising water demand and leak losses by setting up a Water Management Unit for leak detection, repair and better metering, alongside a Non-Revenue Water Unit to monitor and cut system losses, with major pipeline replacement work also underway. Climate-Smart Farming Trials: SALCC’s farm is running climate-resilient bell pepper and other crop trials to help local farmers boost productivity and withstand climate and disease pressure, using shade cloth, drip irrigation, compost tea and other climate-smart practices. Sustainable Fisheries Support: FAO and Saint Lucia’s fisheries ministry are building a safer, more sustainable shrimp hatchery and seed production capacity through training and on-site support, targeting improved aquaculture resilience. Regional Public Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis has assumed the PAHO/WHO representative role for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, with a focus on strengthening resilient, equitable health systems across the OECS and beyond. Youth & Skills in Nature: Royal Bermuda Regiment Junior Leaders joined the St Lucia Cadet Corps summer camp for outdoor training like first aid, navigation and fieldcraft, including a hike of Gros Piton.

Marine Tourism & Culture: Saint Lucia is set to launch three underwater sculpture parks—starting with a Dive Park at Anse La Verdue near Canaries—unveiled to the public Aug. 29-30, with a Snorkel Park and a Conservation Park planned to follow, adding local history and heritage to the island’s already strong reef-and-wreck dive scene. Water Security: WASCO is moving to cut water losses by tackling leakages through a new Water Management Unit focused on leak detection, repairs, and better metering, alongside long-term pipeline replacement work and a Non-Revenue Water Unit. Local Governance & Infrastructure: MP Keithson Charles says tampering with water infrastructure is a crime after WASCO reported deliberate interference with a valve feeding the Delcer Treatment Plant, urging rainwater harvesting as parts of the south face a major rainfall deficit. Climate-Resilient Farming: SALCC is running climate-smart trials on pepper varieties using shade cloth, drip irrigation, mulch, and biological pest control to help farmers handle heat and disease pressure. Aquaculture Sustainability: Saint Lucia’s fisheries team, with FAO support, is building capacity for sustainable shrimp hatchery and seed production to strengthen aquaculture resilience. Youth & Community: Royal Bermuda Regiment Junior Leaders joined the St Lucia Cadet Corps summer camp for drills, first aid, adventure training, fieldcraft, and leadership. Digital Transformation: A CDB-backed initiative will support at least 150 MSMEs across Saint Lucia and the region to boost digital skills and competitiveness, with a focus on women-led and underserved businesses.

Water Security in Focus: WASCO says it has launched measures to cut water leakages, including a new Water Management Unit for leak detection, repair and better metering, plus a Non-Revenue Water Unit to monitor losses—while officials also warn that tampering with valves is a crime, as low river levels and a 45% rainfall deficit strain supplies. Climate-Smart Farming: SALCC’s farm is running climate-resilient bell pepper trials using shade cloth, drip irrigation, mulch and biological pest control, aiming to help farmers handle heat and disease pressures. Sustainable Fisheries Push: Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Food Security, with FAO support, is building capacity for a safer, more sustainable shrimp hatchery and seed production. Wildlife Moment on the Estuary: Visitors on a St Lucia cruise spotted an African fish eagle “butterfly” across the estuary with a heavy catch, a rare sighting for long-time skipper Reinhardt Heynie. Regional Skills & Resilience: OECS, UNCTAD and ECLAC wrapped work to improve evidence-based trade-in-services policymaking across the Eastern Caribbean, strengthening data for economic resilience. Youth & Community: Royal Bermuda Regiment Junior Leaders joined St Lucia’s Cadet Corps camp for drills, first aid, fieldcraft and leadership.

Wildlife Moment: Visitors on a St Lucia estuary cruise watched an African fish eagle “butterfly” across the water to keep hold of a heavy catch, with the skipper saying it’s only the second time he’s seen it in years. Water Security: WASCO says it’s stepping up to cut water leakages islandwide, creating a Water Management Unit for leak detection, repairs and better metering, plus a Non-Revenue Water Unit to tackle losses; the move follows reports of suspected valve tampering and comes alongside major pipeline replacement work. Climate-Smart Farming: Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) is running greenhouse trials to help farmers grow more resilient crops, using shade cloth, drip irrigation, mulch and biological pest control in bell pepper research. Sustainable Fisheries: Saint Lucia’s Fisheries Ministry and FAO are building capacity for a safer, more sustainable shrimp hatchery and seed production sector. Regional Trade & Resilience: OECS, UNCTAD and ECLAC wrapped work to strengthen evidence-based policymaking for trade in services, aiming to help member states use better data to grow and diversify. Digital Push for MSMEs: CDB and partners launched a regional initiative to help at least 150 MSMEs across the OECS adopt digital tools, with special focus on women-led and underserved businesses.

Water Security: WASCO says it’s moving to cut water losses by setting up a Water Management Unit to target leak detection and repair, improve metering, and boost system efficiency, alongside long-term pipeline replacement work. Local Accountability: MP Keithson Charles warned that tampering with water infrastructure is a crime that harms neighbours and farmers, urging rainwater harvesting as the south faces a major rainfall deficit. Climate-Smart Farming: Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) is running trials on climate-resilient bell peppers using shade cloth, drip irrigation, plastic mulch, and biological pest control to help farmers handle heat and disease pressure. Sustainable Fisheries: Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Food Security, with FAO support, is building capacity for a sustainable shrimp hatchery and seed production to strengthen aquaculture and species diversification. Regional Trade & Resilience: OECS, UNCTAD and ECLAC wrapped up work to improve evidence-based policymaking for trade in services, using TiSSTAT to close data gaps. Digital Push for MSMEs: CDB and partners launched a regional initiative to help at least 150 MSMEs across the OECS adopt digital tools, with special focus on women-led and underserved businesses. Wildlife Moment: Visitors on a St Lucia estuary cruise watched an African fish eagle “butterfly” across the water to keep hold of a heavy catch.

Water Security Watch: WASCO says it’s moving to cut water losses after escalating demand, launching a Water Management Unit to target leak detection, repair and better metering, alongside a Non-Revenue Water Unit; the move follows reports of suspected tampering with a valve feeding the Delcer Treatment Plant, with officials urging residents to protect infrastructure and conserve potable water as rivers run low. Climate-Smart Farming in Focus: Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) is testing climate-resilient bell pepper varieties in greenhouse trials using shade cloth, drip irrigation, plastic mulch and biological pest control—aimed at helping local farmers handle heat and disease pressures. Sustainable Fisheries Push: Saint Lucia’s Fisheries Ministry, with FAO support, is building capacity for a sustainable shrimp hatchery and seed production, strengthening aquaculture skills and species diversification. Regional Trade & Resilience: OECS, UNCTAD and ECLAC wrapped up work to improve evidence-based policymaking for trade in services, using TiSSTAT to close data gaps that limit export planning. Digital Skills for MSMEs: CDB and partners launched a digital transformation initiative for at least 150 MSMEs across the OECS, including Saint Lucia, with support for digital maturity checks and practical solutions. Wildlife Moment: Visitors on a St Lucia estuary cruise watched an African fish eagle “butterfly” across the water to keep hold of a heavy catch.

Water Security in Focus: WASCO says it’s tackling rising water demand and leakages with a new Water Management Unit for leak detection, repair and better metering, alongside longer-term pipeline work—while an MP warns that tampering with valves is a crime, as parts of the south face a major rainfall deficit. Sustainable Fisheries: Saint Lucia’s Fisheries Ministry and FAO ran a workshop to build capacity for sustainable shrimp hatchery and seed production, aiming to strengthen aquaculture and species diversification. Climate & Food Resilience: Farmers in Dennery and Union shared climate-smart options, including interest in hydroponics, as heat and other pressures challenge local agriculture. Regional Policy for the Environment-Linked Economy: OECS, UNCTAD and ECLAC wrapped up work to improve evidence-based trade-in-services policymaking, using better data systems to help diversify economies. Wildlife Moment: Visitors on a St Lucia estuary cruise watched an African fish eagle “butterfly” across the water to keep hold of a heavy catch. Digital Growth Push: CDB and the Small Business Association of Barbados launched a digital transformation push for MSMEs across the region, including Saint Lucia.

Digital MSME Push: The Caribbean Development Bank and the Small Business Association of Barbados launched a CDB-backed initiative to help at least 150 MSMEs across Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines adopt digital tools, boost competitiveness and build resilience—especially for women-led and underserved businesses. Water Security in Focus: WASCO says it has started targeted steps to cut water leakages, including a new Water Management Unit for leak detection, better metering and system efficiency, plus a Non-Revenue Water Unit to monitor and reduce losses; the move follows reports of deliberate valve interference in Choiseul/Delcer. Sustainable Aquaculture Training: Saint Lucia’s Fisheries and Agriculture Ministry, with FAO support, ran a workshop to strengthen sustainable shrimp hatchery and seed production skills, aiming to improve food security and diversify aquaculture. Wildlife Moment on the Estuary: Visitors on a St Lucia boat cruise watched an African fish eagle “butterfly” across the estuary to keep hold of a heavy catch—an eye-catching reminder of the island’s living ecosystems. Regional Skills for Radiation Safety: A six-month radiation protection training programme is underway for professionals across the Caribbean to improve safety and emergency readiness as ionising technologies expand.

Water Security in Focus: WASCO says it’s moving to cut water losses after escalating demand, launching a Water Management Unit to target leak detection and repair, improve metering, and boost system efficiency, alongside longer-term pipeline work. Infrastructure Under Threat: Choiseul/Saltibus MP Keithson Charles warned that tampering with water valves is a crime after WASCO reported deliberate interference at the Delcer Treatment Plant, as rivers run low amid a reported 45% rainfall deficit. Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture: FAO and Saint Lucia’s fisheries team are building a safer, more sustainable fishing sector for small-scale fishers, while the agriculture ministry and FAO also ran capacity building for sustainable shrimp hatchery and seed production. Regional Digital Push: The CDB-backed initiative will support at least 150 MSMEs across Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines to adopt digital tools and strengthen global competitiveness. Radiation Safety Training: A post-graduate radiation protection and safety course is training professionals across the English-speaking Caribbean to strengthen emergency preparedness as ionising technologies expand. Wildlife Moment: Visitors on a St Lucia estuary cruise watched an African fish eagle “butterfly” across the water to keep hold of a heavy catch.

Water Security & Infrastructure: WASCO says it’s stepping up to cut water leakages islandwide, creating a Water Management Unit for leak detection, better metering and system efficiency, alongside a Non-Revenue Water Unit; the move follows reports of deliberate valve tampering at the Delcer Treatment Plant, with Minister Keithson Charles warning it’s a crime that harms farmers and neighbours, as rivers run low amid a reported 45% rainfall deficit. Renewable Energy Push: Minister Keithson Charles floated a “revolutionary” plan to zero-rate VAT on solar panels, batteries, inverters and installation for five years to speed up clean power and reduce exposure to imported oil price swings. Aquaculture Capacity: Saint Lucia’s agriculture ministry, with FAO support, ran a workshop on sustainable shrimp hatchery and seed production to strengthen aquaculture skills and improve species diversification. Wildlife Moment: A fish eagle was filmed “butterfly-swimming” across the St Lucia estuary with a heavy catch, a rare sighting for local cruise skipper Reinhardt Heynie. Regional Policy for Resilience: OECS, UNCTAD and ECLAC wrapped up work to improve evidence-based trade-in-services policymaking across the Eastern Caribbean by filling data gaps through TiSSTAT. Weather Watch: Morning fog and fine, warm conditions are expected across much of the country, with fresh south-easterly coastal winds.