AGP Executive Report

Health & Families: A new multi-centre study on food allergy quality of life finds women are hit hardest, especially those with multiple food allergies and a history of severe reactions. Regional Governance: Montserrat’s former premier Donaldson Romeo is calling for urgent action to restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation services, arguing key requirements could be fixed quickly. Community & Skills: The Rotary Club of Montserrat has launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Regional Youth: The ECCB is set to run a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, focused on tech, leadership, and digital creation. Local Public Safety: A magnitude 3.9 earthquake was recorded northeast of Antigua and Barbuda, with the epicentre also within range of Montserrat, and no immediate damage reported. Sports & Culture: Grenada’s Olympic champion Kirani James is set to replace Queen Elizabeth on the Eastern Caribbean $5 banknote, with the new notes expected in 2027.

Montserrat Community & Culture: The Rotary Club of Montserrat has launched “Stitches for Success,” a sewing-skills project aimed at helping women build income and entrepreneurship through hands-on training. Public Health & Safety: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing for urgent restoration of safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation services, saying key requirements still need to be completed before flights can resume. Regional Governance: OECS leaders have reappointed Dr. Didacus Jules for a fourth term, citing progress on food sovereignty, digital transformation, healthier communities, and education reform. Regional Justice: OECS heads have agreed to raise the retirement age for judges of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court from 65 to 70 to help address recruitment challenges. Disaster Readiness: A magnitude 3.9 earthquake was recorded northeast of Antigua and Barbuda, with no immediate reports of damage. Island Events: The Calabash Festival 2026 calendar is out, with nine days of activities running July 18–26.

Vatican Leadership: Pope Leo XIV has named Italian Salesian Sister Alessandra Smerilli as prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, replacing Cardinal Michael Czerny from Sept. 1, with Cardinal Fabio Baggio appointed pro-prefect for the Laudato si’ education centre—continuing a push to put more women in top Vatican roles. Regional Earthquakes: A magnitude 3.9 quake was recorded northeast of Antigua and Barbuda, with no immediate reports of damage, while UWI’s Seismic Research Centre urged residents to stay prepared after major Venezuela tremors. Montserrat Health & Safety: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is calling on the Legislative Assembly to back a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation services, halted in 2019. Community & Skills: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Culture Calendar: Calabash Festival 2026 runs July 18–26, with a full slate of events from tours and beach parties to market day and youth showcases. STEM for Youth: ECCB will host a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, including Montserrat.

Maritime & Transport: More than 70 delegates are meeting in Hamilton for the 37th Red Ensign Group conference, with Montserrat’s Harbourmaster Joseph O’Garro among attendees discussing maritime strategy, future fuels, security, and regulatory priorities. Local Community: The Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” a women’s empowerment project training participants in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Health & Disaster Preparedness: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing for the Legislative Assembly to back a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation services, citing ongoing gaps since flights stopped in 2019. Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 3.9 quake was recorded northeast of Antigua and Barbuda, with no immediate reports of damage. Regional Governance: OECS leaders agreed to raise the retirement age for judges of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court from 65 to 70 to help address recruitment challenges. Culture: The 2026 Calabash Festival calendar is out, with nine days of events running July 18–26.

Night Medical Evacuation: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing for urgent restoration of safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, saying key regulatory and operational requirements still need to be completed before service can restart; the resolution is expected to be tabled June 30. Regional Justice: OECS leaders agreed to raise the retirement age for Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges from 65 to 70, citing recruitment difficulties when judges retire at 65. STEM for Youth: The ECCB will launch its free 2026 STEM Camp on July 6, targeting ages 14–18 across ECCU territories including Montserrat, with training aimed at turning youth into tech creators and innovators. Calabash Festival 2026: Montserrat Arts Council released the 2026 Calabash Festival calendar, running July 18–26 with nine days of culture, food, and community events. Tourism & Access: Amangati’s inaugural Caribbean cruise season includes a call at Little Bay, Montserrat, as reservations open for 2027–2028 itineraries.

Montserrat Health & Safety: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing for a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, expected to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly on June 30; the service has been suspended since 2019 over safety concerns with the BN-2 Islander aircraft. Regional Justice: OECS leaders agreed to raise the retirement age for Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges from 65 to 70, aiming to ease recruitment problems and keep expertise in place. ECCB Youth & Skills: The ECCB will host its 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6, a free four-week programme for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, focused on tech creation and leadership. Community Development: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Culture & Tourism: Calabash Festival 2026 runs July 18–26 with a packed nine-day calendar of events, food, and youth activities, including major market and food fair highlights on July 24. Currency & Identity (OECS): Grenada’s Kirani James will replace Queen Elizabeth II on the EC$5 banknote, with redesigned notes expected to enter circulation in 2027.

Seismic Safety: UWI’s Seismic Research Centre urged calm after major earthquakes in Venezuela, saying there’s no direct link between events but the region should stay prepared as the Caribbean Plate absorbs stress. Healthcare Access: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing for urgent restoration of safe, continuous night-time medical evacuation flights, with a resolution expected to be tabled June 30. Women’s Skills & Jobs: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills through a Rotary District Grant and local partners. STEM for Youth: ECCB announced a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to build practical tech and leadership skills. Culture Calendar: Montserrat Arts Council released the 2026 Calabash Festival programme, running July 18–26 under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life.” Regional Governance: OECS leaders marked 45 years of integration and agreed on priorities for economic resilience and stronger implementation, with chairmanship shifting to Gaston Browne.

Public Service Week 2026: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week (June 21–26) with calls from Public Service Minister Stephenson King for innovation, stronger collaboration, and a people-centred culture built on efficiency and accountability. Regional Justice Reform: OECS leaders agreed to raise the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges’ retirement age from 65 to 70, with Antigua and Barbuda PM Gaston Browne saying it will help address recruitment challenges. Montserrat Health Priority: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, expected to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly on June 30, as Montserrat marks the 29th anniversary of the 1997 volcanic disaster. Women’s Skills Boost: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” a sewing and marketable-skills project funded via a Rotary District Grant to support women’s income opportunities. STEM for Youth: ECCB announced its 2026 STEM Camp (July 6 start), a free four-week tech and leadership programme for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, including Montserrat. Calabash Festival 2026: Montserrat Arts Council released the nine-day Calabash Festival calendar (July 18–26) under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” with tours, markets, youth events, and major food and community highlights. Tourism & Travel: Aman at Sea opened reservations for Amangati’s inaugural Caribbean season (Nov 21, 2027–Jan 2, 2028), with itineraries that include calls at Little Bay, Montserrat.

Public Service Week 2026: Montserrat’s regional neighbours are spotlighting “efficiency, accountability, professionalism” during Public Service Week, with calls for people-centred service and innovation across government. 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 pressures and keep experienced bench strength. Health & Emergency Care: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing 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. STEM for Youth: The ECCB is set to launch a free 2026 STEM Camp (ages 14–18) starting July 6 across ECCU territories, focused on tech skills and leadership. Community & Women’s Empowerment: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council released the nine-day Calabash Festival calendar (July 18–26), packed with tours, food events, youth activities, and major market-day programming. Montserrat Tourism Spotlight: A travel feature pitches Montserrat as a safe, uncrowded alternative, highlighting Plymouth’s “modern-day Pompeii” and the island’s dramatic volcanic landscape. Regional Currency Update: Grenadian sprinter Kirani James is set to appear on the EC$5 banknote as part of an ECCB redesign rolling out in 2027.

Public Service Week 2026: Saint Lucia used International Public Service Day to push a culture of efficiency, accountability, professionalism, and people-first delivery, with Minister Stephenson King urging innovation and stronger collaboration across the public service. OECS Justice Reform: OECS leaders agreed to raise the retirement age for Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges 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 on the Legislative Assembly to back a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation services, tied to the June 25, 1997 disaster anniversary and ongoing safety requirements. STEM for Youth: The ECCB announced its 2026 STEM Camp (free, ages 14–18) starting July 6, aiming to build tech and leadership skills across ECCU territories including Montserrat. Calabash Festival Calendar: The Montserrat Arts Council released the 2026 Calabash Festival run (July 18–26), themed “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” with events spanning tours, markets, youth showcases, and community food and craft days. Tourism Spotlight: A travel-focused piece highlights Montserrat as a safer, less-crowded Caribbean option, pointing to the island’s dramatic volcano-shaped landscape and guided access to the Plymouth exclusion zone.

Montserrat Arts & Culture: The Montserrat Arts Council has released the 2026 Calabash Festival calendar, with nine days of events running July 18–26 under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” including tours, beach parties, youth showcases, and a big Market Day and Grand Food Fair on July 24. Health & Emergency Services: Former premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing 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; service stopped in 2019 after safety concerns over the aircraft’s night take-off margin. Regional Governance: OECS leaders agreed to raise the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges’ retirement age from 65 to 70, citing recruitment challenges, as the OECS marks 45 years of integration and calls for an “OECS renaissance.” Skills & Youth: The ECCB will host a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, focused on tech creation and leadership. Community Empowerment: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills through a Rotary District Grant partnership. Travel & Access: Trans Anguilla Airways is now bookable via global airline distribution systems, expanding how travelers can plan multi-island trips. Tourism Spotlight: Aman at Sea opened reservations for Amangati’s inaugural Caribbean season (Nov 21, 2027–Jan 2, 2028), with calls including Little Bay, Montserrat.

Night Medical Evacuation: Former premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing the Legislative Assembly to back a resolution calling for the urgent restoration of safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, which have been suspended since 2019. Regional Courts: OECS leaders have agreed to raise the retirement age for Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges from 65 to 70, citing recruitment challenges. STEM for Youth: The ECCB will launch a free 2026 STEM Camp on July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, with training aimed at turning young people into tech creators. Women’s Skills: Rotary Club of Montserrat has launched “Stitches for Success,” a sewing and entrepreneurship project funded by a Rotary District Grant. Calabash Festival: Montserrat Arts Council released the 2026 Calabash Festival calendar, running July 18–26 under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life.” Public Health: Basil Chambers’ 60th birthday will be marked by a Men’s Health Fair on July 3 with free screenings.

Night Medical Evacuation: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing the Legislative Assembly to back an urgent resolution to restore safe, reliable, continuous night-time medical evacuation services—flights stopped in 2019 after safety concerns over the BN-2 Islander, and Romeo says key fixes could be done quickly. Women’s Empowerment: The Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” a sewing and marketable-skills project funded by a Rotary District Grant and delivered with Unsewcial founder Kristen Taylor Hilton. STEM for Youth: The ECCB announced its 2026 STEM Camp (free, ages 14–18) starting July 6 across ECCU territories, aiming to build tech skills and leadership. Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council released the nine-day calendar (July 18–26) under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” with events spanning tours, markets, teen showcases, and major food celebrations. Regional Focus: OECS leaders opened their 78th Authority meeting in Antigua with an “OECS renaissance” push on trade, connectivity, resilience, and implementation. Pensions Reform: Montserrat is starting a comprehensive pension review with TELUS Health support, aiming to modernise and stabilise retirement benefits. Travel & Tourism: Aman at Sea opened reservations for Amangati’s first Caribbean season, including calls at Little Bay, Montserrat, from Nov 21, 2027 to Jan 2, 2028.

ECCB STEM & Youth Skills: The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank will host a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6, running four weeks for ages 14–18 across all ECCU territories, with training aimed at turning young people into tech creators and innovators. Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council has released the nine-day Calabash Festival calendar, themed “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” running July 18–26 with events spanning tours, church celebrations, teen showcases, and major market and food fair activities. Regional Leadership (OECS): OECS leaders marked 45 years of integration in Antigua and set priorities around economic development, trade, connectivity, climate resilience, security, and food and energy security, with chairmanship shifting to Prime Minister Gaston Browne. Montserrat Pensions Review: Montserrat has begun a comprehensive pensions reform review, with a 17-member committee and technical support from TELUS Health, aiming to modernise and stabilise retirement benefits. Community Health: Basil Chambers is hosting a Men’s Health Fair on July 3 with free screenings and prostate assessments, as part of a push for preventative care. Transport Watch: Questions are rising around ferry service to Montserrat after a private vessel appeared, but officials say the government is still completing its ferry tender and is not currently running a service.

Montserrat Pensions Review: Montserrat has begun its first comprehensive pension system review in 13 years, with TELUS Health supporting a 17-member committee to modernise and stabilise retirement benefits and move toward a more transparent defined contribution model. Ferry Uncertainty: Questions are growing over Montserrat’s ferry future as private operators market services while Government work on a long-awaited ferry tender is still underway. Regional Integration (OECS): OECS leaders marked 45 years of regional cooperation in Antigua, with a new chair handover to Gaston Browne and calls for an “OECS renaissance” focused on trade, connectivity, resilience, and implementation. ECCB Update: The ECCB highlighted the role of its Agency Offices across member states, including Montserrat’s office opened in 1991, stressing they support the central bank’s mandate rather than operating as commercial banks. Travel/Connectivity: Trans Anguilla Airways is now bookable on global airline distribution systems, potentially making Eastern Caribbean multi-island trips easier to plan. Caribbean Tourism Watch: Aman at Sea opened reservations for its 2027 Caribbean season aboard Amangati, with Montserrat listed among planned stops.

Montserrat & Regional Air Travel: Trans Anguilla Airways is now bookable through global airline distribution systems, a GDS upgrade expected to make it easier for travellers and travel agents to plan multi-island trips, with routes including Montserrat. OECS Leadership & Integration: OECS leaders marked 45 years of regional cooperation at the 78th Authority meeting in Antigua, with a chairmanship handover to Prime Minister Gaston Browne and a push for stronger implementation on trade, connectivity, economic resilience, and integration. Currency Update: Grenadian sprinter Kirani James has been selected to appear on the EC$5 banknote as part of an ECCB redesign expected to roll out in 2027. Local Governance & Services: The Government of Montserrat has begun a comprehensive pensions review for the first time in 13 years, with TELUS Health providing technical support and a move toward a more transparent, defined contribution model. Ferry Uncertainty: Questions remain over Montserrat’s ferry future as private operators market services while the government continues its tender process. Health & Community: Montserrat Public Library hosted EMERGE, a free women’s workshop focused on personal growth and purpose. Pope Leo XIV & Faith: Pope Leo XIV’s Spain visit included reflections on unity and human dignity, with Montserrat Abbey among key stops.