AGP Executive Report

AI in Schools: CXC is tightening School Based Assessment rules as AI use rises, pushing schools to rethink how students are evaluated and how AI is handled responsibly. Digital Economy: A new look at Saint Lucia’s fintech momentum shows how QR payments, online selling, and regional digital finance are helping modernise the island’s economy. Water Security: WASCO and Japan’s JICA are teaming up to cut water losses by 5% over the next few years by fixing leaks, repairing meters, and reducing unauthorised use. Skills for Work: CARICOM’s push for stronger TVET is echoed in Saint Lucia’s role, with leaders urging more technical, vocational, and digital training tied to jobs. HIA Upgrade: Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment is at an advanced stage, with the air traffic control tower about 95% complete and aiming for full functionality in early 2027. STEM Scholarships: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awards two full undergraduate scholarships, including cell and molecular neuroscience and arts administration, covering tuition and living costs. Local Research on Crime Prevention: Dr. Montelle Felix’s lecture highlights how peer influence, family bonds, and school attachment can predict juvenile delinquency—supporting prevention through mentorship and community programmes. Space Tech Spotlight: VORAGO Technologies climbs the Inc. 5000 list for radiation-protected satellite and space chips, a reminder of the region’s growing tech reach. Regional Tech Diplomacy: Taiwan’s youth ambassadorship programme adds drone operators for people-to-people exchanges with Caribbean allies.

Education & AI: CXC is tightening School Based Assessment rules as AI pushes schools to rethink how students are evaluated, with calls to teach responsible use instead of just policing it. Health Data: Saint Lucia officially launched a National Cancer Registry to improve cancer surveillance, planning, and evidence-based care, partnering with CARPHA, IARC’s Caribbean hub, and PAHO. Water Tech: WASCO and Japan’s JICA are working to cut water losses by 5% over the next few years by fixing leaks, repairing meters, and reducing unauthorised use. Airport Upgrade: Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment is at an advanced stage, with the air traffic control tower about 95% complete and aiming for full functionality in early 2027. Skills & Youth: Saint Lucia’s TVET centres are highlighted in CARICOM’s push for stronger technical, vocational, and digital skills tied to jobs. STEM Opportunities: Sir Arthur Lewis Community College hosted a STEAM camp for primary and secondary students, mixing maths, biology, robotics, and theatre arts. Scholarships: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two full undergraduate scholarships, including a neuroscience track at Florida State University and arts administration at Bishop’s University.

AI & Education: CXC is tightening School Based Assessment rules as schools rethink how to evaluate students in the age of AI, with calls to teach responsible use rather than just policing it. Health Data: Saint Lucia officially launched a National Cancer Registry to improve cancer surveillance and decision-making, partnering with CARPHA, IARC and PAHO. Water Tech: WASCO and Japan’s JICA are working to cut water losses by 5% through leak fixes, meter repairs and training for non-revenue water management. Infrastructure & Aviation: Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment is at an advanced stage, with the air traffic control tower about 95% complete and aiming for a fully functional tower in early 2027. Local Skills Pipeline: Saint Lucia’s TVET centres are highlighted in CARICOM’s push for technical and digital skills tied to jobs. Space Tech: VORAGO Technologies climbed the Inc. 5000 list for radiation-protected satellite and space chips. Regional Tech Diplomacy: Taiwan’s youth ambassadorship program includes drone operators visiting Caribbean allies. Local Research: Dr. Montelle Felix’s lecture spotlighted local drivers of juvenile delinquency and prevention-focused interventions. Crime Prevention Tech: Bordelais Correctional Facility received laptop computers to expand inmate education and vocational training. Tourism & Payments: A fintech explainer looks at how QR payments and digital finance are modernising Saint Lucia’s economy. Scholarships: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two full undergraduate scholarships, including STEM and non-STEM study tracks. Culture & STEM for Youth: A STEAM camp at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College brought robotics, biology and theatre arts to primary and secondary students.

AI & Education: CXC is tightening School Based Assessment rules as AI raises integrity concerns, pushing schools to teach responsible use rather than just police it. Digital Economy: A look at how Saint Lucia’s fintech growth is being driven by everyday QR payments, online small businesses, and regional digital infrastructure—more practical than “unicorn” hype. Water & Infrastructure: WASCO, with Japan’s JICA, is targeting a 5% cut in water losses by fixing leaks, repairing meters, and reducing unauthorised use, with a specialist team in place for two years. STEM & Skills: CARICOM’s education push spotlights Saint Lucia’s TVET centres as the region calls for more technical, vocational, and digital skills. Health Tech & Data: Saint Lucia officially launches its National Cancer Registry to strengthen surveillance and evidence-based planning, with regional and international partners. Local Research: Dr. Montelle Felix’s lecture highlights local drivers of juvenile delinquency—peer influence, family bonds, and school attachment—pointing to prevention through mentorship and community support. Airport Upgrade: HIA redevelopment is at an advanced stage, with the air traffic control tower nearing completion and a contractor selected for the wider project. Scholarships: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awards two full undergraduate scholarships—one STEM, one non-STEM—covering tuition and living costs abroad. Space Tech: VORAGO Technologies climbs Inc. 5000 for radiation-protected satellite and space chips, a reminder of the region’s growing links to space-grade engineering. Youth & Tech Diplomacy: Taiwan’s youth ambassador programme includes UAV operators for the first time, sending young drone specialists to Caribbean and Pacific allies.

Digital Economy & Payments: A new look at Saint Lucia’s fintech push shows it’s being driven by practical moves like QR-code payments, online sales by small businesses, and regional banks building digital infrastructure that works across islands. Skills for Growth (TVET): CARICOM’s education push is spotlighting Saint Lucia’s TVET centres as the region calls for more technical, vocational, and digital skills tied directly to jobs. Water Security: WASCO is partnering with Japan’s JICA to cut water losses by 5% through leak repairs, meter fixes, and stopping unauthorised use, with a specialist training local teams over two years. Health Data Upgrade: Saint Lucia officially launched its National Cancer Registry to strengthen cancer surveillance and decision-making with support from CARPHA, IARC’s Caribbean hub, and PAHO. AI Buildathon: Future Caribbean says 450-plus builders from 39 countries are now in the build phase of its Agentic AI Buil­dathon, targeting real-world uses across sectors like health, finance, tourism, and climate resilience. STEM & Youth: SALCC hosted a Faces of Development STEAM Camp for about 60 students, with hands-on sessions in biology, robotics, and maths-focused problem-solving. Tech at Hewanorra: HIA redevelopment is at an advanced stage, with the air traffic control tower about 95% complete and expected to be fully functional in early 2027. Scholarships: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two full undergraduate scholarships—one in arts administration and one in cell and molecular neuroscience—covering tuition and living costs. Space Tech Spotlight: VORAGO Technologies climbed the Inc. 5000 list for its radiation-hardened chips used in deep-space and satellite missions. Regional Tech Diplomacy: Taiwan’s youth ambassadorship programme includes drone operators for people-to-people exchanges with Caribbean allies.

TVET Skills Push: CARICOM’s education ministers heard a clear message: invest in technical and vocational education and training, with Saint Lucia’s TVET centres held up as a regional example. Water Loss Cuts: WASCO is partnering with Japan’s JICA to reduce non-revenue water by about 5% over the next few years through leak fixes, meter repairs, and stopping unauthorised use. AI Buildathon Momentum: Future Caribbean says 450-plus builders from 39 countries are now in the build phase of an Agentic AI buildathon, targeting real-world uses across health, finance, tourism, climate resilience and more. Airport Upgrade Update: Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment is at an “advanced stage,” with the air traffic control tower about 95% complete and software installation underway, aiming for a fully functional tower in early 2027. Cancer Data Step Forward: Saint Lucia officially launched its National Cancer Registry to strengthen surveillance, data collection, and evidence-based planning with regional and international partners. Scholarships for STEM and Beyond: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two full undergraduate scholarships—one in Arts Administration and one in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience—covering tuition and living costs. Space Tech Spotlight: VORAGO Technologies climbed the Inc. 5000 list for radiation-protected satellite and space chips, highlighting growing regional interest in space-grade computing. Youth Health Webinars: The REACH Project rolled out a new webinar series on adolescent health, including mental health, nutrition, stigma reduction, and parent-teen communication. Local Research on Delinquency: Dr. Montelle Felix’s lecture highlighted how peer influence, family bonds, and school attachment can predict juvenile delinquency, pointing to mentorship and community prevention. Wellness Leadership: TheLifeCo St. Lucia appointed Olgay Kiraz as general manager, aiming to blend medical technologies with integrative longevity wellness.

Local STEM & health: Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Health officially launched the National Cancer Registry, aiming to strengthen cancer surveillance and evidence-based prevention and care. Tech for public services: The government handed over 10 laptop computers to support education and vocational training for inmates at Bordelais Correctional Facility, backing rehabilitation with technology. Youth science pipeline: Sir Arthur Lewis Community College hosted about 60 students for the Faces of Development STEAM Camp, mixing maths with hands-on biology, robotics and theatre arts. AI buildathon momentum: Future Caribbean says 450-plus builders from 39 countries are now in the build phase of its Agentic AI Buil­dathon, targeting deployable solutions across sectors like health, climate resilience and tourism. Aviation infrastructure update: Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment is at an “advanced stage,” with the air traffic control tower about 95% complete and expected to be fully functional in early 2027. Education abroad scholarships: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two 2026 undergraduate scholarships—one in Arts Administration and one in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience—covering major costs for up to four years. Space-grade computing: VORAGO Technologies climbed the Inc. 5000 list, highlighting radiation- and thermal-protected satellite and space microcontrollers. Community research on crime prevention: Dr. Montelle Felix’s lecture highlighted local predictors of juvenile delinquency—peer influence, family bonds and school attachment—pointing to mentorship and stronger family support. Women in culture: Kisha Kay made history as Saint Lucia’s first female Groovy Soca Monarch winner, taking EC$40,000 for her performance of “Done.”

AI for the Caribbean: Future Caribbean says 450-plus builders from 39 countries have entered the build phase of its Agentic AI Buil­dathon, aiming for production-ready solutions across areas like health, finance, tourism, logistics, climate resilience and the blue economy. Health & research: Saint Lucia launched its National Cancer Registry to strengthen cancer surveillance and decision-making, with partners including CARPHA and IARC; officials say better local data will improve prevention, monitoring and patient care. Local tech in education: The Ministry of Home Affairs says Bordelais Correctional Facility received 10 laptop computers to expand inmate education and vocational training. STEM pipeline: Sir Arthur Lewis Community College hosted about 60 students for the Faces of Development STEAM Camp, mixing maths with biology, robotics and theatre arts. Space hardware: VORAGO Technologies climbed the Inc. 5000 list, highlighting radiation- and temperature-protected chips for deep-space and satellite missions. Local community science: Dr. Montelle Felix delivered research on what drives juvenile delinquency in Saint Lucia, pointing to peer influence, family bonds and school attachment. Aviation upgrade: Hewanorra International Airport’s air traffic control tower is reported ~95% complete, with a target for full operation in early 2027. Careers & services: Dr. Timothy Abels has joined Hegg Health Center as a family medicine physician.

Airport Tech Upgrade: Hewanorra International Airport’s new air traffic control tower is about 95% complete, with civil works finished and software installation underway; Infrastructure Minister Shawn Edward says the wider HIA redevelopment is at an “advanced stage” and a contractor has been selected, aiming for a fully functional tower in early 2027. Health Data Systems: Saint Lucia officially launched its National Cancer Registry, a central platform to track cancer cases and trends so prevention, planning, and patient care can be guided by reliable local data with CARPHA, IARC and PAHO support. STEM for Youth: Sir Arthur Lewis Community College welcomed about 60 students for the Faces of Development STEAM Camp, mixing maths-focused sessions with biology, robotics and theatre arts to spark future study and careers. Rehabilitation Tech: At Bordelais Correctional Facility, the government handed over 10 laptop computers to expand education and vocational training for inmates, reinforcing “rehabilitation, not just punishment.” Local Scholarships: Saint Lucia Cruise Port awarded two full undergraduate scholarships—Arts Administration (Drama/Marketing) and Cell & Molecular Neuroscience—covering tuition, living costs and airfare for up to four years. Space & Chips: VORAGO Technologies climbed to #2,789 on Inc. 5000, highlighting radiation-hardened satellite and deep-space computing microcontrollers. Regional Youth Health: The REACH Project launched a webinar series on adolescent health topics like mental health, nutrition and parent-teen communication across Caribbean partner states including St. Lucia. Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 3.5 quake was recorded east of Saint Vincent (10 km deep), with no immediate damage reports. Wellness Tourism: TheLifeCo St. Lucia named Olgay Kiraz as general manager, aiming to blend medical technologies with integrative longevity wellness in the Caribbean.

Cancer Care Upgrade: Saint Lucia officially launched its National Cancer Registry to strengthen cancer surveillance, improve data for prevention and control, and guide better patient care, with partners including CARPHA and PAHO/WHO. Rehabilitation Tech: The Government handed 10 laptop computers to inmates at Bordelais Correctional Facility to expand education and vocational training, aiming to support successful reintegration. Youth, Drones & STEAM: Taiwan’s youth ambassadors program adds drone operators for visits to Caribbean allies, while Saint Lucia’s Faces of Development STEAM Camp welcomed about 60 students for hands-on robotics, biology, theatre arts and math-focused learning. Regional Health Education: The REACH project launched a webinar series on adolescent health across Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, covering mental health, nutrition, stigma reduction and parent-teen communication. Earthquake Watch: A minor quake (M3.5) was recorded east of Saint Vincent with no immediate damage reports. Local Tech & Data Debate: A Saint Lucia-focused discussion challenges pesticide-use claims, arguing for stronger local records and farmer training to improve real-world data. Space Hardware Spotlight: VORAGO Technologies climbed the Inc. 5000 list for rad-hard satellite and deep-space microchips. Banking & Fintech: Belize Bank announced a digital modernization partnership with Backbase to boost AI-native onboarding and business cash-flow visibility. Energy/Climate Risk Angle: UWI experts warn the Caribbean faces real risks from radioactive fallout, linking nuclear technology and regional preparedness.

Cancer Care Upgrade: Saint Lucia officially launched its National Cancer Registry to strengthen cancer surveillance, improve data collection and guide prevention and control, with partners including CARPHA and IARC. Prison Tech for Rehab: At Bordelais Correctional Facility, the government handed over 10 laptop computers to expand education and vocational training for inmates, aiming to support skills for life after release. STEAM for Youth: SALCC welcomed about 60 students for the Faces of Development STEAM Camp, mixing hands-on sessions in Biology, Theatre Arts and Robotics with a strong focus on Mathematics. Adolescent Health Online: The REACH project rolled out a webinar series on adolescent health and well-being across Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, starting with mental health and stigma reduction. Earthquake Watch: A minor quake (magnitude 3.5) was recorded east of Saint Vincent, with no immediate damage reports. Local Tech & Learning: PrimeXBT launched an MT5 Cent Account for smaller, beginner-friendly live trading—plus a reminder that real market access can be a psychological step up from demo. Agriculture Data Debate: A local commentary challenges pesticide-use claims, arguing Saint Lucia needs better on-the-ground records and farmer training to move from estimates to real understanding.

Cancer Care Upgrade: Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Health has officially launched the National Cancer Registry, aiming to strengthen cancer surveillance with better data collection and evidence-based planning, with support from CARPHA, IARC and PAHO. Tech for Rehabilitation: The Government is boosting inmate education at Bordelais Correctional Facility with a technology initiative, including laptop handovers to expand learning and vocational training. STEAM Youth Pipeline: SALCC welcomed about 60 students for the Faces of Development STEAM Camp, mixing hands-on robotics, biology, theatre arts and math-focused sessions to spark future study and careers. Renewables Funding Call: IRENA opened a proposal call for renewable energy projects across Central America and the Caribbean, including Saint Lucia, prioritizing submissions before Sept 1. Earthquake Watch: A minor quake (M3.5) was recorded east of Saint Vincent with no immediate damage reports. Local Debate on Pesticides: Saint Lucia’s pesticide-use rankings are being challenged, with calls for stronger local science and better farm-level data collection. Digital Finance: PrimeXBT launched an MT5 Cent Account, letting beginners trade live markets with smaller position sizes.

Cancer Care Upgrade: Saint Lucia has officially launched its National Cancer Registry to strengthen cancer surveillance, improve data collection and guide prevention and control with support from CARPHA, IARC and PAHO. Tech for Rehabilitation: At Bordelais Correctional Facility, the government handed over 10 laptop computers to expand education and vocational training for inmates as part of a technology-led rehabilitation push. STEAM for Youth: SALCC welcomed about 60 students for the Faces of Development STEAM Camp, mixing hands-on robotics, biology and theatre arts with a strong focus on mathematics. Renewables Funding Call: IRENA opened a proposal window for renewable energy projects across Central America and the Caribbean, including solar, wind, hydro, clean transport and green hydrogen, with support via its Climate Investment Platform and Energy Transition Finance Accelerator. Internet Resilience Watch: A Cloudflare report links Q2 internet disruptions to conflict, infrastructure damage and government shutdowns, including exam-related blackouts in parts of the region. Local Science Debate: Saint Lucian voices are challenging global pesticide-use rankings, arguing for better local records and farmer-led data collection rather than assumptions. Earth Monitoring: A magnitude 3.5 earthquake was recorded east of Saint Vincent, with no immediate damage reported.

Health Tech: Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Health has officially launched a National Cancer Registry to strengthen cancer surveillance, improve data collection and reporting, and guide prevention and care using evidence-based decisions, with support from CARPHA, IARC’s Caribbean hub, and PAHO/WHO. Corrections & Skills: The Bordelais Correctional Facility received 10 laptop computers to expand education and vocational training for inmates, backing rehabilitation and future employment pathways. STEM for Youth: SALCC welcomed about 60 students for the Faces of Development STEAM Camp, mixing math-focused sessions with practical biology, robotics, and theatre arts to spark future study and careers. Regional Science: A minor earthquake (magnitude 3.5) was recorded east of Saint Vincent, with no immediate damage reported. Energy Transition Funding: IRENA opened a funding call for renewable energy projects across Central America and the Caribbean, including Saint Lucia, with proposals prioritized before Sept 1. Internet Resilience: A Cloudflare report links Q2 internet disruptions to conflict, infrastructure damage, and government shutdowns, highlighting connectivity fragility. Agri-Science & Policy: A local debate on pesticide use is pushing for better records and science-based monitoring, arguing global estimates may not reflect Saint Lucia’s real on-the-ground situation.

Health Policy: Saint Lucia has officially launched its National Cancer Registry to strengthen cancer surveillance, improve data collection and guide evidence-based prevention and care, with support from CARPHA, IARC’s Caribbean hub and PAHO/WHO. Corrections & Tech: The Bordelais Correctional Facility received 10 laptop computers to expand inmate education and vocational training, backing rehabilitation as a “not the end of the road” pathway. STEM for Youth: SALCC welcomed about 60 students for the Faces of Development STEAM Camp, mixing maths with hands-on biology, robotics and theatre arts to spark future career ideas. Adolescent Health: The REACH project rolled out a regional webinar series on adolescent mental health, nutrition, stigma reduction and parent-teen communication across Saint Lucia and other islands. Earth Monitoring: A magnitude 3.5 earthquake was recorded east of Saint Vincent with no immediate damage reports. Energy Transition: IRENA opened a funding call for renewable energy projects across the Caribbean, including solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, clean transport and even sargassum-linked energy. Internet Resilience: A Cloudflare report links Q2 internet disruptions to conflict, infrastructure damage and government shutdowns, underscoring the need for resilient connectivity. Agriculture & Data: A local debate on pesticide use is pushing for science-based measurement and better farmer data collection rather than estimates.

Cancer Care Data Boost: Saint Lucia has officially launched its National Cancer Registry to strengthen cancer surveillance, improve monitoring, and guide evidence-based prevention and treatment, with partners including CARPHA, IARC’s Caribbean hub, and PAHO. Prison Tech for Second Chances: At Bordelais Correctional Facility, the government handed over 10 laptop computers to expand education and vocational training for inmates, aiming to improve skills and employment prospects after release. STEAM for Youth: SALCC welcomed about 60 students for the Faces of Development STEAM Camp, mixing maths with hands-on biology, robotics, and theatre arts to spark future study and careers. Adolescent Health Online: The REACH project launched a regional webinar series on adolescent health in Saint Lucia and other islands, starting with sessions on mental health and stigma reduction. Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 3.5 quake was detected east of Saint Vincent, with no damage reported. Renewables Funding Call: IRENA opened a proposal call for renewable energy projects across Central America and the Caribbean, including Saint Lucia, with support via its finance platforms.