AGP Executive Report

Agriculture & Food Security: Coconut seedlings were distributed to St. Kitts farmers at La Guerite, with CARDI support, plus hands-on training on propagation, agronomy, and pest/disease management to boost local production. Weather & Flood Risk: A tropical wave is triggering flash flood watches and alerts across the Lesser Antilles, with heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds expected into Saturday even though tropical depression development is unlikely. Health & Resilience: St. Kitts and Nevis deployed the National Digital Health Information System at Joseph N. France General Hospital, moving beyond paper records toward a more integrated, patient-centred system. Regional Policy: OECS launched a Regional Child Policy and Strategic Plan 2026–2032 with UNICEF support, using a whole-of-the-child approach to protect and empower children across the sub-region. Sustainability & Water: A drone-based hydrogeological survey in Saddlers Village has identified promising additional aquifers, with officials stressing cautious, quality testing before expanding groundwater use. Renewables: Energy technicians got hands-on guidance for SOLARISE solar PV applications to support the Federation’s shift toward renewable power.

Weather Watch: Caribbean islands are under flood alerts and flash-flood watches as a tropical wave moves through the Lesser Antilles, bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds into Saturday. Regional Policy: The OECS, with UNICEF support, unveiled a Regional Child Policy and Strategic Plan 2026–2032, pushing a whole-of-the-child approach to keep children safe and supported across the sub region. Health Tech: St. Kitts and Nevis deployed the National Digital Health Information System at JNF General Hospital, aiming to modernise care beyond paper records. Renewables Skills: SOLARISE solar PV applications are getting a boost as energy technicians trained on installation processes and component suitability. Water Security: A drone-based hydrogeological survey in Saddlers Village has reportedly found promising new aquifers, with further quality testing planned. Environment & Safety: Shipbreaking yards “green” on paper are still linked to deadly hazards, renewing calls to tackle toxic exposure and unsafe practices. Local Environment Risk: Authorities are stepping up action on abandoned properties in St. Kitts, citing health and vector risks from unoccupied, deteriorating homes.

Weather Watch: A tropical wave moving through the Lesser Antilles has triggered flood alerts across the region, with heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds expected into Saturday; even with low chances of development, St. Kitts and Nevis and neighbours are urged to stay alert for localized flooding. Regional Policy: The OECS, with UNICEF support, unveiled a Regional Child Policy and Strategic Plan 2026–2032 built on a whole-of-the-child approach, aiming for safer, supported and empowered children across the Eastern Caribbean. Health Tech: St. Kitts and Nevis successfully deployed the National Digital Health Information System at JNF General Hospital, part of a push toward more integrated, patient-centred care. Renewables Skills: The Energy Unit ran a workshop for solar PV technicians under SOLARISE, focusing on smoother applications and proper assessment of solar components. Water Security: A drone-based hydrogeological survey in Saddlers Village has reportedly found promising new aquifers, with officials stressing careful testing before relying on the source.

Health Systems Upgrade: St. Kitts and Nevis has deployed the National Digital Health Information System (NDHIS) at Joseph N. France General Hospital, moving beyond paper records toward a more integrated, patient-centred workflow. Renewable Energy Skills: The Energy Unit ran a SOLARISE solar PV application workshop for technicians, aiming to speed up onboarding and improve how systems are assessed and installed. Hurricane Season Watch: NEMA and the St. Kitts Meteorological Services are monitoring Invest 92L in the mid-Atlantic; no watches or warnings are in place, but officials urge residents to stay ready as the system could bring rain. Storm Impacts Across the Region: A tropical disturbance is expected to deliver heavy rain and gusty winds to parts of the Eastern Caribbean, with flooding and mudslide risks even without storm naming. Medicinal Cannabis Pathway: The Medicinal Cannabis Authority opened registration for a Traditional Cultivator Programme orientation (Aug 20–22) to help locals transition into the regulated medicinal cannabis sector. Water Security Progress: A drone-based hydrogeological survey has reportedly found water in Saddlers, with further quality testing planned before expansion. Waste & Resilience Push: A new government achievements report highlights work on plastic waste reduction, recycling, coastal protection, and sargassum management alongside major water and energy investments.

Hurricane Watch: NEMA and St. Kitts Meteorological Services are tracking Invest 92L in the mid-Atlantic, with forecasts pointing to a possible tropical depression within days; there are currently no watches or warnings, but residents are urged to review preparedness plans as uncertainty remains. Renewables & Energy Skills: The Energy Unit ran a SOLARISE workshop for technicians to speed up solar PV applications and onboarding, pushing the national shift toward cleaner power. Water Security Check: A drone-based hydrogeological survey in Saddlers has reportedly identified promising aquifers, with officials stressing cautious follow-up testing to confirm sustainability. School Transport Safety: Ahead of the Sept. 7 school reopening, the Education Ministry is returning a repaired school bus to service and adding two electric buses gifted by Taiwan, including accessibility for persons with disabilities. Sustainable Island Agenda for Youth: OECS and UNICEF-backed work continues to shape child-focused policy across the region, while St. Kitts and Nevis youth camps in Taiwan highlighted the Sustainable Island State agenda. Health Workforce Planning: A mission is underway to operationalise a centralised health workforce database (CHWD+) to strengthen planning for preparedness and response. Cost-of-Living Relief Limits: The Financial Secretary (Ag) says extended fuel-based relief measures have a “shelf life” through Sept. 30, warning that long-term concessions could strain national finances.

Renewables & Energy Skills: The Energy Unit ran a SOLARISE workshop for 20+ technicians, training them on solar PV application and onboarding so more households and businesses can move to solar. Storm Watch: NEMA and St. Kitts Meteorological Services are monitoring Invest 92L in the mid-Atlantic, with an 80% chance it could become a tropical depression soon; no watches or warnings are in effect, but residents are urged to review preparedness. Water Security: A drone-based hydrogeological survey in Saddlers Village has found promising new aquifers, with follow-up testing planned before expanding groundwater development. Health & Resilience: The Joseph N. France General Hospital reopened its upgraded Private Ward after a $400,000+ renovation, and a mission is underway to operationalise a centralised health workforce database to strengthen preparedness and planning. Sustainable Transport: Ahead of the new school year, St. Kitts’ school bus fleet gets repairs plus two electric buses gifted by Taiwan, including accessibility support for students with disabilities. Healthcare Workforce: 47 trained nurses arrive from Ghana to ease staffing pressures across hospitals and clinics.

Tropical Weather Watch: NEMA and the St. Kitts Meteorological Services are tracking Invest 92L in the mid-Atlantic, with an 80% chance it could become a tropical depression within days as it heads toward the Eastern Caribbean; officials say there are currently no watches or warnings for St. Kitts and Nevis, but residents should stay alert as the path is still uncertain. Water Security Update: A drone-based hydrogeological survey has identified promising additional aquifers, and officials say water has been found in Saddlers, with further quality and sustainability testing planned before expansion to other areas. Renewables in Action: The Energy Unit ran a SOLARISE workshop for energy technicians to streamline solar PV application and onboarding, pushing the sustainable energy agenda forward through better training on system components. Sustainable Island Agenda, Youth-Led: Students at NanShan High School’s summer camp in Taiwan explored St. Kitts and Nevis culture and the Sustainable Island State Agenda, including hands-on activities like creating calypso songs. Local Resilience Through Planning: The Ministry of Health, with PAHO and the Pandemic Fund, is rolling out a Centralised Health Workforce Database and Dashboard of Indicators to strengthen preparedness and response planning.

Storm Watch: NEMA and St. Kitts Meteorological Services are monitoring Invest 92L in the mid-Atlantic, with conditions seen as favorable for it to strengthen into a tropical depression within 2–3 days; no watch or warning is in effect yet, but residents are urged to follow updates as the system could reach the islands by this weekend. Water Security: A drone-based hydrogeological survey has identified promising additional aquifers, and officials say water has been found in Saddlers; testing will continue to confirm sustainability and quality before moving to other areas like St. Paul’s and Sandy Point. Sustainable Island Agenda (Education & Heritage): The SKNLOVE Summer Camp in Taiwan is running under the “Sustainable Island State Agenda,” with sessions highlighting local landmarks such as Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park and Nevis sugar heritage, linking cultural exchange to sustainability themes. Local Resilience & Preparedness: Senior Met Officer Elmo Burke clarified how forecasts are produced through a regional arrangement (Antigua and Barbuda Met Service) while local staff “localise” guidance for St. Kitts and Nevis conditions, reinforcing preparedness for peak hurricane season.

Hurricane Readiness: NEMA and St. Kitts Meteorological Services are tracking Invest 92L in the mid-Atlantic, warning residents that the system could strengthen and approach the islands by the weekend, while noting there’s currently no watch or warning and urging people to keep following updates. Water Security: A drone-based hydrogeological survey in Saddlers, plus follow-up work, has reportedly identified promising new aquifers, with officials stressing cautious, quality testing to confirm a sustainable source. Sustainable Island Agenda (Education & Culture): The SKNLOVE Summer Camp in Taiwan is running under the Sustainable Island State Agenda theme, including sessions on local landmarks like Brimstone Hill and Black Rocks, linking cultural exchange with sustainability. Renewable Energy: Nevis Geothermal Project partners are reviewing readiness for the next drilling phase, including site and port logistics for bringing in specialized equipment. Environment & Resilience (Local Governance): The Ministry of Sustainable Development says it’s resolving the New Guinea land matter through consultations after a leasing violation was found, aiming to move forward with planned housing while managing land use responsibly.

Water Security: A drone-based hydrogeological survey has found water in Saddlers, with officials saying preliminary checks are positive and that the aquifer will be tested carefully before expanding to Saint Paul’s and Sandy Point. Healthcare & Workforce: Government welcomed 47 trained nurses from Ghana to ease staffing pressure and improve patient outcomes, while also developing a new medical scholarship pathway with Taiwan for aspiring doctors to study, return, and complete licensing. Sustainable Island Agenda (Education): The St. Kitts and Nevis Embassy in Taiwan ran its SKNLOVE summer camps themed around the Sustainable Island State Agenda, including sessions on local landmarks like Brimstone Hill and Black Rocks. Environment & Resilience (Policy): A government achievements report highlights investments in water security, solar energy support, recycling and plastic waste reduction, coastal protection, and sargassum management. Renewable Energy: Nevis geothermal preparations moved closer to drilling after a site readiness review covering logistics, port preparedness, and mobilization planning. Land & Planning: The Sustainable Development Ministry defended a farmer relocation tied to a long-delayed housing project, saying court timelines and housing obligations were central.

Healthcare Workforce Push: Prime Minister Terrance Drew welcomed 47 trained nurses from Ghana, aiming to ease staffing pressure and improve patient outcomes across St. Kitts and Nevis. Medical Training Pipeline: Drew also outlined a new medical scholarship pathway with Taiwan, with students studying in Taiwan then returning for internships and licensing—part of a wider plan to grow local capacity. Water, Energy & Environment Progress: A government achievements report highlights major gains in water security, solar power support, electricity cost stabilisation, expanded recycling and coastal protection, plus sargassum management and other environmental programmes. Land & Planning Watch: The Sustainable Development Ministry defended a farmer relocation tied to a long-delayed housing project, while also working through a New Guinea land matter involving leasing and subdivision issues. Renewables Update (Nevis): The Nevis Geothermal Energy Project moved closer to drilling as partners reviewed site readiness, logistics, and port preparedness for incoming equipment. Sustainable Island Agenda in Action: Taiwan embassy summer camp programming focused on St. Kitts and Nevis’ Sustainable Island State Agenda, including “Sustainable Island Agenda” sessions and related activities. Local Housing With Storm-Ready Standards: The National Housing Corporation’s Renaissance Project continues, with construction underway on new homes designed for Caribbean storm exposure.

Healthcare Workforce: St. Kitts and Nevis is advancing a new medical scholarship pathway with Taiwan, aiming to send aspiring doctors to study in Taiwan, then return for internships and Caribbean licensing. Nursing Support: The government also welcomed 47 trained Ghanaian nurses to ease long-running staffing pressures across hospitals and clinics. Water, Energy & Environment: A new government achievements report highlights progress on water security (including desalination and new wells), solar and electricity stabilisation, and environmental work such as expanded recycling, coastal protection, and sargassum management. Land & Planning: The Sustainable Development Ministry defended a court-driven relocation tied to the Cabbage Tree Housing Development, while also working to resolve a New Guinea land matter involving leasing violations. Renewable Energy: Nevis geothermal preparations moved closer to drilling after a site readiness and logistics review with regional and international partners. Sustainable Island Agenda Education: Taiwan summer camp activities showcased St. Kitts and Nevis culture and the Sustainable Island State Agenda, reinforcing youth learning around sustainability. Local Climate Resilience Housing: Housing updates stressed construction standards suited to severe storms as the Renaissance Project continues across communities.

Water & Energy Security: Government highlights progress on water, energy and food security, including a reported jump in 24-hour water access from about 24% to nearly 70% since 2022, backed by new wells, pipelines and the Basseterre desalination project, plus solar and electricity-cost stabilisation measures. Housing & Land Use: The Ministry of Sustainable Development defends relocating a farmer from Cabbage Tree Housing in Cayon to clear the way for a long-delayed housing project after a court-set move date, while the housing drive continues with construction standards aimed at severe-storm resilience. Renewables Update: Nevis geothermal work moves closer to drilling as CDB/IDB partners, NIA and NEVLEC review site readiness, port logistics and equipment mobilisation ahead of the next phase. Plastic & Coastal Resilience: A new achievements report points to plastic waste reduction, expanded recycling, coastal protection, and sargassum management as part of the sustainable island agenda. Sustainable Tourism Skills: Regional sustainable tourism training in Saint Lucia includes climate change and biodiversity conservation modules, building capacity for guides across the OECS. Governance & Truth in Public Debate: A commentary calls out long-running political claims in Nevis, arguing flawed estimates shouldn’t be treated as corruption without real scrutiny.

Renewable Energy Watch: Nevis geothermal preparations moved closer to drilling as CDB, IDB, the Nevis Island Administration, and NEVLEC reviewed site readiness, port logistics, and mobilization plans after funding disbursements. Sustainable Development & Land Governance: The Sustainable Development Ministry is working to resolve long-running land issues in New Guinea, citing leasing violations, unpaid lease rates, and unfulfilled agreements tied to St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd. Private Investment & Resilience Economy: Demerara Distillers (St. Kitts and Nevis) Limited broke ground on a US$10M Bird Rock expansion, expanding bottling, packaging, warehousing, and adding a heritage centre—framed as Caribbean integration and diversification. Climate-Linked Housing: The government’s housing push under the National Housing Corporation’s Renaissance Project is building storm-suited homes, with construction underway on new developments including Gillard Meadows. Energy Transition Funding: IRENA opened a call for renewable energy and clean infrastructure proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including St. Kitts and Nevis, with priority for submissions before Sept 1. Health & Environment (One Health): A regional molecular diagnostics workshop in Barbados strengthened Eastern Caribbean lab capacity for emerging infectious diseases using a One Health approach. Human Rights & Coastal Risk: Suriname’s UN envoy urged stronger regional action against trafficking, warning that maritime borders and digital gaps leave Caribbean islands exposed.

Renewable Energy Push (Nevis): Nevis geothermal preparations are moving into the drilling phase, with CDB, IDB, the Nevis Island Administration, and NEVLEC reviewing site readiness, port logistics, and equipment mobilization after new funding disbursements. Land & Water Governance (St. Kitts): The Ministry of Sustainable Development is working through a long-running New Guinea land matter after a review found leasing violations, including unpaid lease rates and unfulfilled agreements, with stakeholder consultations underway. Climate-Resilient Housing (St. Kitts): The National Housing Corporation’s Renaissance Project is continuing, with construction underway on new homes in communities like Gillard Meadows, designed with Caribbean storm exposure in mind. EU Pressure on Mobility Schemes: The EU has set a June 1, 2028 deadline for St. Kitts and Nevis (along with four other Eastern Caribbean states) to phase out citizenship-by-investment programmes or risk losing Schengen visa-free access. Energy Transition Funding (Regional): IRENA opened a call for renewable energy proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including geothermal and clean transport, with priority for submissions before Sept. 1.

Land & Planning: The Sustainable Development Ministry is working to resolve a long-running land matter at New Guinea after a review found a leasing violation, including unpaid lease rates and unfulfilled land purchase agreements tied to St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd., with structured stakeholder consultations now underway. Renewable Energy: Nevis geothermal preparations move closer to drilling as CDB, IDB, NIA and NEVLEC review site readiness, logistics, and port access for the incoming drilling rig, following recent financing disbursement. Housing Resilience: The government’s Renaissance Project continues with construction of storm-ready affordable homes, including 12 homes at Gillard Meadows (about 80% complete) aimed at easing land and access constraints in St. Christopher 2. Energy Transition Funding: IRENA has opened a call for renewable energy proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including geothermal and clean transport, with priority for submissions before Sept. 1. Sustainable Tourism Skills: A regional sustainable tourism training in Saint Lucia certified tour guides with modules on biodiversity, climate change and conservation, supporting the wider OECS EC-STEMS ecosystem agenda.