AGP Executive Report

Pesticide Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously voted to recognize the state’s “share of responsibility” for long-term harm from chlordecone (Kepone) in Guadeloupe and Martinique, with lawmakers citing contamination affecting nearly 90% of adults and links to serious illnesses, while also setting goals for decontamination and compensation frameworks. Regional Marine Cleanup & Jobs: An OECS delegation visited Martinique and Guadeloupe to study sargassum management under the SARSEA project, focusing on monitoring, collection and turning seaweed into value-added products to reduce impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, public health and local economies. Disaster Readiness: The Armed Forces in the Antilles ran “Operation Caribbean 26,” a multinational disaster-response drill simulating a major cyclone, with Martinique and Guadeloupe’s RSMA units placed under FAA command to improve coordination for humanitarian assistance and relief. Climate Adaptation Planning: Grenada advanced its climate resilience work by validating a Citizen’s Guide to Climate Change Adaptation for Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, aiming to make adaptation actions clearer and easier for communities to use. Marine Wildlife Protection: CYEN Grenada urged residents and visitors to protect sea turtles during nesting season, warning that noise, lighting and disturbance can cause turtles to abandon nests. Water Innovation Watch: A Nobel Prize-winning scientist’s air-to-water technology is being developed to produce up to 1,000 litres of clean drinking water daily, offering a potential lifeline for water-stressed regions.

Pesticide Justice in the French West Indies: France’s National Assembly has unanimously voted to recognize the state’s “share of responsibility” for long-term harm from chlordecone (Kepone) in Guadeloupe and Martinique, where lawmakers cite contamination affecting over 90% of adults and links to serious illnesses; the bill also points to land and water decontamination goals and compensation work, with a government mission planned to assess cleanup measures. Sargassum Management, Regional Cooperation: An OECS delegation (nine Caribbean states/territories) is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe to study how to manage sargassum seaweed and develop value-added uses, building on EU- and OECS-supported SARSEA efforts to reduce ecological, public health, and economic impacts. Sea Turtle Protection in Grenada: CYEN Grenada is urging residents and visitors to protect nesting sea turtles by keeping noise and lighting low, staying back from nests, and reporting sightings—highlighting how disturbance, pollution, and coastal pressures threaten marine biodiversity. Disaster Preparedness Exercise: “Operation Caribbean 26” is running until June 4, training Antilles armed forces for cross-border humanitarian aid and disaster relief, with Martinique and Guadeloupe’s RSMA units directly involved in a simulated major cyclone scenario.

Pesticide Accountability in the French West Indies: France’s National Assembly has unanimously adopted a bill recognizing the state’s “share of responsibility” in the chlordecone (Kepone) scandal affecting Guadeloupe and Martinique, where more than 90% of adults have traces of the pesticide; the law calls for decontamination of land and water, compensation planning, and renewed research priorities. Sargassum Management, Regional Cooperation: An OECS delegation (nine states and territories) is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe to study how to manage sargassum seaweed and develop value-added uses, building on EU- and OECS-supported SARSEA work to reduce ecological, public health, and economic impacts. Climate Adaptation Planning: Grenada hosted a validation workshop for its Citizen’s Guide to Climate Change Adaptation (for Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique), refining practical, public-friendly guidance ahead of release under its 2025–2030 National Adaptation Plan. Marine Biodiversity Protection: CYEN Grenada is urging residents and visitors to protect sea turtles during nesting season by keeping noise and lighting low, staying back from nests, and reporting sightings to authorities. Disaster Preparedness Training: “Operation Caribbean 26” continues through June 4, with Martinique and Guadeloupe’s RSMA units supporting multinational disaster-response drills simulating a major cyclone scenario.

Pesticide Accountability in the French West Indies: France’s National Assembly has unanimously adopted a bill recognizing the state’s “share of responsibility” for long-term harm from chlordecone (Kepone) in Martinique and Guadeloupe, after decades of use despite health warnings; the law targets decontamination of polluted land and water and sets compensation goals, with an interministerial mission soon to assess cleanup measures. Regional Marine Cleanup & Jobs: An OECS delegation (nine states/territories) is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe to study sargassum management approaches, including how to turn seaweed into value-added products, as recurring invasions strain ecosystems, biodiversity, public health, and local economies. Climate Pressure on Water & Coasts: Caribbean islands are facing worsening 2026 climate extremes—drought, heat stress, and shifting rainfall—raising risks for freshwater supplies, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure. Disaster Readiness: Armed Forces in the Antilles are running Operation Caribbean 26 through June 4, training for cross-border cyclone disaster response with Martinique and Guadeloupe RSMA units involved. Marine Life Protection: CYEN Grenada is urging residents and visitors to respect sea turtles during nesting season by keeping noise and lights low and avoiding disturbance.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously adopted a bill recognizing the state’s “share of responsibility” for the health, environmental and economic harm linked to chlordecone in Guadeloupe and Martinique, after the pesticide was used in banana plantations despite warnings; with contamination affecting nearly 90% of adults, the law also sets decontamination goals and points to compensation and renewed research. Sargassum Management: An OECS delegation is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe (June 1–4) to study how the islands manage recurring sargassum, including monitoring and collection, and how to develop value-added uses—supported by the EU and OECS. Climate Pressure on Water: A broader regional update warns that 2026 is bringing drought and extreme heat linked to a strong El Niño pattern, stressing freshwater supplies and agriculture across the Caribbean. Disaster Readiness: The Antilles Armed Forces are running “Operation Caribbean 26” until June 4, training for cross-border cyclone disaster response with Martinique and Guadeloupe’s RSMA units involved. Community Marine Protection: CYEN Grenada is urging residents and visitors to protect sea turtles during nesting season by reducing noise and light, keeping dogs away, and reporting disturbances. Sustainable Seafood Spotlight: Elsa Marcel Ravin has reopened in Monaco with a “Jardin Marin” menu that changes based on what local fishermen catch—an approach that ties dining to marine stewardship.

Pesticide Justice in the French West Indies: France’s National Assembly has voted to make the state acknowledge its “share of responsibility” for the chlordecone (Kepone) health, environmental and economic harm in Guadeloupe and Martinique, after the Senate already approved the bill. Health & Contamination Impact: Chlordecone was used on banana plantations from 1972 to 1993 despite warnings; more than 90% of adults in the islands show contamination, and the chemical has been linked to prostate cancer and other serious health effects. Remediation & Support: The law sets goals for decontaminating polluted land and water and includes compensation aims, research priorities, and help for affected fishermen and farmers. Regional Marine Cleanup & Innovation: An OECS delegation is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe (June 1–4) to study sargassum management and how to turn the seaweed into value-added products, supported by the EU and OECS. Climate Pressure on Water: Caribbean islands are facing drought and heat stress as a strong El Niño pattern disrupts rainfall, threatening freshwater supplies and ecosystems. Sea Turtle Protection: In Grenada, CYEN is urging residents and visitors to protect nesting sea turtles by reducing noise, lighting and beach disturbance during the nesting season.

Pesticide Justice in the French West Indies: France’s National Assembly has voted to recognise the state’s “share of responsibility” for the long-term health, moral, environmental and economic harm linked to chlordecone (Kepone) in Guadeloupe and Martinique, after the Senate already approved the bill. Health & Environment Impact: The pesticide was used on banana plantations from 1972 to 1993 despite warnings; Santé Publique France and ANSES-linked findings cited in the debate say over 90% of adults are contaminated, with links to prostate cancer and other serious effects. Remediation & Compensation Push: The law sets goals for decontaminating polluted land and water, prioritises research, and plans support for fishermen and farmers, with a mission to define future reparations. Regional Sargassum Response: An OECS delegation is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe (June 1–4) to study sargassum management and ways to turn seaweed into value-added products, supported by the EU and OECS. Climate Stress Reminder: Coverage also flags worsening Caribbean drought and heat linked to strong El Niño conditions, raising pressure on water supplies, ecosystems and agriculture.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously adopted a bill acknowledging the State’s “share of responsibility” in the chlordecone scandal affecting Guadeloupe and Martinique, where lawmakers cite health impacts on large parts of the population and contamination of soil and waterways; an interministerial inspection mission is set to assess remediation and cleanup measures. Sargassum Management: An OECS delegation of nine Caribbean states and territories is on a June 1–4 study mission in Martinique and Guadeloupe to observe local sargassum collection and risk-management strategies and explore value-added uses, supported by the EU and OECS. Climate Adaptation Planning (Grenada): Grenada hosted a validation workshop for its Citizen’s Guide to Climate Change Adaptation, updating language and practical measures ahead of public release under its National Adaptation Plan 2025–2030. Sea Turtle Protection (Grenada): CYEN Grenada urges residents and visitors to protect nesting sea turtles by reducing noise and artificial light, keeping beaches clean, and avoiding disturbance during nesting season. Disaster Preparedness (Antilles): Armed Forces in the Antilles continue “Operation Caribbean 26” until June 4, training for cross-border humanitarian assistance and disaster relief with Martinique and Guadeloupe’s RSMA units involved.

Pesticide Accountability: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to repeal the Code Noir and, in a separate move, lawmakers also acknowledged the state’s partial responsibility for chlordecone (Kepone) use in the French West Indies—linked to widespread contamination in Martinique and Guadeloupe and serious long-term health harms. Water Security Innovation: A Nobel Prize-winning scientist’s air-to-water system could produce up to 1,000 litres of clean drinking water daily by extracting moisture from the atmosphere, offering a potential lifeline as drought strains freshwater supplies. Sargassum Management: An OECS delegation is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe to study sargassum seaweed handling, monitoring and collection—and how to turn it into value-added products, with EU and OECS support. Climate Pressure: Coverage highlights a worsening dry spell across the Caribbean, with heat and rainfall swings threatening water, ecosystems and agriculture. Local Marine Life: Grenada’s youth environment network urges residents to protect sea turtles during nesting season, warning that noise and lighting can cause turtles to abandon nests.

Pesticide Accountability: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to acknowledge the state’s partial responsibility for long-term harm from chlordecone (Kepone) in Martinique and Guadeloupe, despite health warnings—used on banana plantations from 1972 to 1993; research cited by ANSES says about 90% of people are contaminated, with links to cancers and other serious health impacts. Sargassum Management: An OECS delegation (nine states/territories) is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe June 1–4 to study local approaches to managing sargassum and turning it into value-added products, supported by the EU and OECS. Climate Adaptation Planning: Grenada held a validation workshop for its Citizen’s Guide to Climate Change Adaptation, updating the National Adaptation Plan 2025–2030 with clearer, more practical guidance for communities. Marine Life Protection: CYEN Grenada is urging residents and visitors to protect sea turtles during nesting season—reduce noise and lighting, keep dogs away, and report nesting activity or injuries. Disaster Readiness: “Operation Caribbean 26” continues until June 4, training Antilles forces (including Martinique and Guadeloupe RSMA units) for cross-border cyclone disaster response.

Climate & Water Stress: The Caribbean is facing sharper 2026 climate swings—drought lingering in a season that should be wetter, plus heat driven by a strong El Niño pattern—raising risks for freshwater supplies, agriculture, ecosystems, and tourism infrastructure. Disaster Preparedness: The Armed Forces in the Antilles are running “Operation Caribbean 26” until June 4, training for a major cyclone scenario and coordinating humanitarian and disaster relief, including Martinique’s RSMA units. Marine Pollution & Sargassum: Dominica is hosting regional SARSEA meetings (May 26–28) to shape national sargassum plans, with field missions planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Regional Connectivity & Aviation: Caribbean Airlines’ pullback from St Kitts and Dominica—and reduced service to Martinique and Guadeloupe—has triggered urgent talks to protect regional links, while a new LIAT 2020–Air Caraïbes interline deal takes effect June 1. Local Environment-Linked Recycling: In Martinique-linked efforts, recycled eyewear collected via school programmes in Rivière-Salée is being donated to support visually impaired people in Saint Lucia. Justice & History (France): France’s National Assembly repealed the Code Noir, a symbolic step that still leaves reparations and justice demands unresolved.

Disaster Preparedness: The Armed Forces in the Antilles are running “Operation Caribbean 26” until June 4, training for a simulated Category 4 cyclone with Martinique’s RSMA units directly under FAA command and a full set of response capabilities from engineering reconnaissance to rescue and route recovery. Climate & Water Stress: A wet season is arriving while drought lingers across the Caribbean, with 2026 heat and rainfall swings linked to strong El Niño conditions that are straining aquifers and freshwater supplies. Marine Pollution Response: In Dominica, SARSEA meetings are bringing together regional experts and stakeholders to tackle sargassum management, with plans for field activities in Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Hurricane Readiness (Comms): Liberty Caribbean says it is ready for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, citing lessons from Hurricane Melissa and new investments to strengthen network resilience and emergency response. Regional Connectivity Pressure: Caribbean Airlines’ pullback and route cuts are reshaping travel links for islands including Martinique and Guadeloupe, while an interline deal between LIAT 2020 and Air Caraïbes aims to keep passengers moving across combined networks. Local Recycling for Health: A Martinique-linked initiative delivered nearly 4,000 recycled eyewear pairs to support visually impaired people in Saint Lucia, showing how recycling can translate into real community access.

Disaster Readiness: The Armed Forces in the Antilles are running “Operation Caribbean 26” until June 4, training for a simulated Category 4 cyclone with Martinique and Guadeloupe RSMA units supporting multinational humanitarian disaster relief. Climate & Water Stress: A regional warning says 2026’s prolonged drought and extreme heat linked to a strong El Niño are straining aquifers and reservoirs, threatening ecosystems, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure across the Caribbean. Sargassum Response: SARSEA meetings in Dominica are bringing together regional experts to shape national strategic plans for sargassum management, with field work in Martinique and Guadeloupe planned from June 1. Regional Connectivity Shock: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes and reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly from June 1, after losses on Dominica and St Kitts services and a pullback on the Ogle–Suriname corridor—raising concerns for regional travel links. Health Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS are convening a workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, quality-assured medicines and strengthen pooled procurement and supply systems. Circular Recycling for Vision: Lions Clubs and partners delivered nearly 4,000 recycled eyewear pairs to support visually impaired people in Saint Lucia, with collection linked to Martinique school recycling programs.

Disaster Preparedness: Armed Forces in the Antilles (FAA) are running “Operation Caribbean 26” until June 4, with a simulated Category 4 cyclone response that includes Martinique’s RSMA units and specialized teams for liaison, engineering, route recovery, rescue and protection. Regional Aviation & Connectivity: Caribbean Airlines is withdrawing from St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica and cutting flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly from June 1, with officials in St Kitts and Nevis saying they weren’t consulted; the shift is also tied to losses and is being met with new partner options, including an interline deal between LIAT 2020 and Air Caraïbes starting June 1. Climate & Water Stress: The wet season is arriving unevenly as drought lingers across the Caribbean, with strong El Niño conditions raising heat and threatening freshwater supplies, ecosystems and agriculture. Marine Pollution Watch: SARSEA meetings in Dominica are focusing on sargassum management, with plans for field work in Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Local Trade Links: Saint Lucia is advancing practical trade and investment cooperation with Martinique, including product readiness and compliance steps ahead of a more structured regional framework.

Regional Aviation & Connectivity: Caribbean Airlines will cut flights from June 1, ending services to Dominica, St Kitts and the Ogle–Suriname corridor, while reducing Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice-weekly—an overhaul tied to long-running route losses and a push for a codeshare partner to keep connections smoother. Interline Link: On May 29, LIAT 2020 and Air Caraïbes signed an interline agreement starting June 1, letting passengers book through-tickets with through-checked baggage across both networks—timed to coincide with CAL’s market exits. Climate Pressure: The wet season is arriving unevenly as drought lingers across the Caribbean, with strong El Niño conditions driving heat stress and threatening freshwater supplies, agriculture and tourism infrastructure. Sargassum Response: SARSEA meetings in Dominica bring together regional experts to shape national sargassum plans, with field work in Martinique and Guadeloupe set to begin June 1. Local Recycling for Health: In Martinique, Lions Clubs and Saint Lucia partners delivered nearly 4,000 recycled eyewear pairs to support visually impaired people in Saint Lucia.

Regional Air Connectivity: Caribbean Airlines will cut several routes from June 1, discontinuing services to Dominica, St. Kitts and the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname corridor, and reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—moves tied to long-running losses and a push for a more “sustainable and commercially responsible” network. Passenger Impact: Travelers booked beyond the affected dates will be contacted directly and offered re-accommodation on alternative regional services, partner connections, full refunds for unused portions, or travel credit (subject to fare conditions), while the airline works toward a codeshare to widen options. Sargassum Response Planning: In Dominica, SARSEA meetings (May 26–28) are bringing together about 60 regional stakeholders to develop national strategic plans for sargassum management, with follow-up field activities in Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Local Environment & Community: A Martinique-focused piece highlights the island’s everyday life around Fort-de-France’s Schoelcher area, underscoring local voices and feelings of exclusion—context that matters for how communities engage with environmental and cultural priorities.