AGP Executive Report

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.

Regional Air Connectivity: Caribbean Airlines will cut routes from June 1, ending flights to Dominica, St Kitts and the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname corridor, and reducing service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly; passengers will be contacted and offered rebooking, refunds, or travel credit, while the airline works on a codeshare to keep connections wider. Local Governance & Accountability: In St Kitts and Nevis, Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says the withdrawal was made without prior consultation, raising concerns among travellers and tourism stakeholders as officials seek an alternative airline partner. Marine & Climate Pressure: More than 60 regional professionals meet in Dominica under SARSEA to tackle sargassum management and shape field work planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Sustainable Development & Health: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS convene a regional workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, quality-assured medicines and strengthen pooled procurement and supply chains. Biodiversity & Heritage: Grenada’s “Isle of Spice” display wins another gold at the Chelsea Flower Show, spotlighting tropical flowers, foliage and spices. Environment-Linked Economy: Saint Lucia’s government discusses practical trade and export cooperation with Martinique, including agriculture, testing, packaging, transport, traceability and certification.

Education & Inequality in Martinique: A new report spotlights how young Martinicans feel “exiled” by limited local opportunities, especially when education and culture push them to look to France/là-bas for what they can’t access at home. Regional Air Connectivity: Caribbean Airlines will cut routes from June 1, ending services to Dominica and St Kitts and the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname corridor, while reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—moves tied to long-running losses and a push for a more sustainable network, with refunds, rebooking, and possible codeshare options for affected passengers. Sargassum & Marine Pressure: SARSEA meetings in Dominica (May 26–28) are shaping national plans to tackle sargassum and marine pollution, with follow-up field missions planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Health Access Planning: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a regional workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies across Eastern Caribbean states.

Regional Air Connectivity: Caribbean Airlines will cut services from June 1, ending flights to Dominica and St Kitts, plus the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname route, while reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly; affected passengers will be contacted and offered rebooking, partner connections, refunds, or travel credit, as the airline seeks “operational reliability” and long-term financial stability. Marine & Coastal Health: In Dominica, SARSEA meetings (May 26–28) are bringing together regional experts to tackle sargassum management and shape national strategic plans, with follow-up field missions planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Health Systems & Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a regional workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies across Eastern Caribbean states, including a formal launch of a technical working group. Sustainable Tourism & Nature: Grenada’s InterContinental La Sagesse resort is set to open in November 2026, with design elements meant to reflect local coastal nature, while Grenada also celebrated biodiversity-focused horticulture with another Chelsea Flower Show gold.

Regional Health Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a 28–29 May workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, effective, quality-assured medicines and health technologies across the Eastern Caribbean, including a formal launch of a PAHO/WHO–OECS Technical Working Group and work on procurement, supply chains, forecasting, inventory, and quality assurance. Sargassum & Marine Pollution: Under the SARSEA programme, more than 60 regional stakeholders meet in Dominica (May 26–28) to shape national strategic plans for sargassum management, with follow-up field activities planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Air Connectivity & Local Impacts: Caribbean Airlines will cut routes and reduce frequencies from June 1, discontinuing services to Dominica and St Kitts and the Ogle–Suriname corridor, while reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—offering rebooking, refunds, or travel credit and pointing to a forthcoming codeshare to widen options. Trade & Sustainability Cooperation: Saint Lucia’s government is advancing plans to strengthen trade, investment, and cultural cooperation with Martinique, including practical steps for export readiness and alignment with the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement.

Regional Air Connectivity: Caribbean Airlines will cut unprofitable routes from June 1, ending service on Dominica, St Kitts and the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname corridor, and reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—passengers can expect rebooking, refunds, or travel credit, while the airline pushes a codeshare deal to keep options open. Marine & Coastal Health: SARSEA meetings in Dominica (May 26–28) bring together about 60 stakeholders to shape national strategic plans for sargassum management, with follow-up field work planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Trade & Local Economy: Saint Lucia’s government is holding cross-ministerial talks with a French delegation to strengthen trade, investment and cultural cooperation with Martinique, including product testing, certification and logistics steps tied to CARIFORUM-EU cooperation. Biodiversity Spotlight: Grenada’s tropical flowers and foliage—linked to its biodiversity and “Spice Island” identity—win another gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show, with a garden festival launch noted for November 2026. Health Systems Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a regional workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies across OECS states.

Regional Air Connectivity Cuts: Caribbean Airlines will discontinue flights from June 1 to Dominica, St Kitts and the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname route, and reduce service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly, citing long-running losses and a push for operational reliability; affected passengers are promised rebooking options, refunds or travel credit, and the airline is working on a codeshare to keep regional links open. Sargassum Coordination: In Dominica, SARSEA meetings (May 26–28) bring together about 60 regional stakeholders to shape national strategic plans for sargassum management, with follow-up field work planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Biodiversity Spotlight: Grenada won its 19th gold medal (9th straight) at the Chelsea Flower Show, using “Isle of Spice” to showcase tropical plants and spices tied to Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Local Heritage & Land: A feature on Trinidad’s Morne La Croix highlights how forested hills and coastal life shaped community resilience—an environmental heritage story with echoes for the region.

Caribbean Airlines network shake-up: Starting June 1, Caribbean Airlines will stop flights to Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis, and end the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname route, while cutting service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—a move tied to route losses and a push for operational reliability and long-term financial stability. Passenger support: travellers booked on affected dates will be contacted directly and offered rebooking on alternative regional services, refunds or travel credit (depending on fare rules), plus options via partner connections as the airline works toward a codeshare. Regional environment focus: In Dominica, SARSEA meetings (May 26–28) are bringing together about 60 stakeholders to shape national sargassum plans, with field work expected to feed into Martinique and Guadeloupe missions from June 1. Biodiversity spotlight: Grenada’s “Isle of Spice” display just won another gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show, highlighting tropical flowers, foliage, and spices.