AGP Executive Report

Public Safety Tech Upgrade: St. Vincent and the Grenadines has acquired advanced ballistics and forensic tools, including a Bullet Catcher system and the IBIS BRASSTRAX platform, to speed up linking firearms to crimes and strengthen regional intelligence through CARICOM IMPACS and US State Department support. Digital Trade Modernization: Customs has launched the upgraded ASYCUDA World 4.4 system to move toward paperless customs and power the Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSwift), letting brokers and businesses lodge declarations, upload documents, track status, and pay duties online. Clean Energy & Climate Resilience: PM Dr. Godwin Friday reaffirmed a push for more solar and private-sector investment, while a new US$6.1m GEF/UNEP project targets watershed restoration and nature-based land management in SVG’s south corridor. Fisheries Decarbonization: The CRFM STAR-Fish project is bringing clean energy solutions to Caribbean fisheries, including renewable options and cold storage to improve the cold chain. Regional Tourism Storytelling: CTO and TEMPO Networks expanded their partnership to boost Caribbean tourism coverage through digital, social, and broadcast storytelling. AI & Culture Warning: A local commentary argues AI could “render” small communities invisible if Vincentian knowledge isn’t properly represented in digital systems.

Public Safety Tech: St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ government has acquired new ballistics and forensic tools, including a Bullet Catcher system and the IBIS BRASSTRAX platform, to speed up linking bullets and casings to firearms and reduce investigation delays. The handover happened in Trinidad and Tobago through CARICOM IMPACS with support from the US State Department’s INL. Digital Trade Upgrade: Customs has launched ASYCUDA World version 4.4 to move toward paperless customs and support the Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSwift), letting brokers and businesses lodge declarations, upload documents, track status, and pay duties online. Clean Energy & Nature Projects: A US$6.1m GEF/UNEP-backed watershed project will restore degraded landscapes in St. Vincent’s south corridor, while CRFM’s STAR-Fish program (with clean energy and low-carbon cold storage) targets fisheries resilience across the region. Climate Preparedness: NEMO held a 2026 hurricane/wet season climate outlook forum focused on turning forecasts into early action. Tourism Media Partnership: CTO and TEMPO Networks renewed a long-running collaboration to boost Caribbean tourism storytelling through digital, social, and broadcast coverage. Regional Leadership: The Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange named Stewart Haynes as CEO, and the National Sports Council appointed Renson Haynes as manager.

Public Safety Tech: St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ government has acquired advanced ballistics and forensic tools, including a Bullet Catcher system and the IBIS BRASSTRAX platform, to speed up linking bullets and casings to firearms and disrupt illegal trafficking across the Caribbean. The equipment was provided via CARICOM IMPACS with support from the US State Department’s INL. Digital Trade Modernization: Customs has launched an upgraded ASYCUDA World 4.4 system to move toward paperless customs and support the Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSwift), letting brokers and importers lodge declarations, upload documents, track status, and pay duties online. Clean Energy for Resilient Fisheries: The CRFM is scaling up clean energy work under the STAR-Fish project, targeting renewable power and low-carbon upgrades like cold storage for fisheries and aquaculture. Climate & Land Restoration Funding: A new GEF-backed project (US$6.1m) will restore degraded landscapes in St. Vincent’s south corridor using nature-based solutions, supporting farmers and watershed management. Tourism Storytelling Partnership: CTO and TEMPO Networks renewed a long-running collaboration to expand digital, social, and broadcast coverage of Caribbean tourism events. AI & Local Visibility: Commentary warns that AI trained on existing digital records may leave small places like St. Vincent “invisible” unless local knowledge and culture are better represented online.

Digital Trade Modernization: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Customs launched the upgraded ASYCUDA World 4.4 to move toward fully paperless customs, laying the groundwork for the Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSwift) with online lodging, document uploads, tracking, and duty payments. Public Safety Tech Upgrade: The government acquired advanced ballistics and forensic tools for the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, including a Bullet Catcher system and IBIS BRASSTRAX platform, to speed up and improve ballistic matching. Clean Energy & Resilience Funding: PM Friday reaffirmed the push for more solar and private-sector investment, while a new US$6.1m GEF/UNEP-backed project targets watershed restoration and land management in SVG’s south corridor. Fisheries Decarbonization: CRFM’s STAR-Fish project will bring clean energy solutions to fisheries and aquaculture, including cold storage and low-carbon certification support. Climate Preparedness: NEMO held its 2026 hurricane/wet season climate outlook forum, focusing on turning forecasts into action for early planning. Regional Leadership & Tech Governance: ECSE named Stewart Haynes as CEO, and SVG’s delegation attended Japan’s Island State Ocean Summit to push science-based ocean stewardship. AI & Cultural Visibility: A local commentary warns that AI trained on existing digital records could leave small nations like SVG “invisible” unless Vincentian knowledge is better preserved and represented.

Public Safety Tech: Government accepted advanced forensic and ballistics systems in Trinidad and Tobago, including a Bullet Catcher and the IBIS BRASSTRAX platform, to strengthen investigations into gun-related crime. Renewable Energy Push: PM Dr. Godwin Friday reaffirmed plans to expand solar and clean energy partnerships to cut fossil fuel dependence and boost energy security. GEF Environmental Funding: A new US$6.1m GEF/UNEP project will restore degraded landscapes in SVG’s south corridor, targeting watershed management, soil conservation, and nature-based solutions. Clean Energy for Fisheries: CRFM’s STAR-Fish project (US$Can 4.324m) moves into its next phase with renewable energy and low-carbon cold storage support for fisheries and aquaculture. Paperless Trade Systems: Customs launched ASYCUDA World 4.4 to enable VSwift, aiming for safer, smarter, faster paperless customs declarations and online duty payments. Disaster Forecasting: NEMO’s climate outlook forum highlighted impact-based early warning systems and the need to turn forecasts into action for hurricane preparedness. Regional Leadership: ECSE named Stewart Haynes as CEO, while CHTA president Gregor Nassief faced a US visa denial amid wider Caribbean visa scrutiny. STEM & Youth: World Paediatrics completed a scoliosis clinic in St. Vincent with 42 assessments and 8 surgeries, and SVG students in Taiwan continued strong academic wins.

Visa & Tourism Governance: The US denied a visa renewal for newly elected Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) president Gregor Nassief, triggering debate over how tighter US rules could affect regional tourism leadership. Sports Administration: Renson Haynes was appointed new manager of St. Vincent’s National Sports Council, bringing engineering and project leadership experience alongside national football management. Capital Markets Leadership: Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange named Stewart Haynes as CEO effective 1 June 2026, with a background spanning actuarial science and regional financial oversight. Ocean Science Diplomacy: St. Vincent and the Grenadines sent a delegation to the inaugural Island State Ocean Summit in Tokyo, pushing science-based ocean stewardship amid climate and pollution pressures. Paperless Trade Tech: Customs launched upgraded ASYCUDA World 4.4 to power Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSwift), enabling online declarations, document uploads, tracking, and duty payments. Disaster Risk Forecasting: NEMO held its 2026 Hurricane/Wet Season Climate Outlook Forum, highlighting impact-based early warning and decision-ready forecasts. AI & Cultural Visibility: An opinion warns AI trained on existing digital records may render Vincentian culture “invisible” unless local knowledge is actively preserved and shared. Health & Regional Care: World Paediatrics completed a high-demand scoliosis clinic in St. Vincent, assessing 42 children and performing eight paediatric spinal surgeries with regional participation. Debt & Growth Plan: Government officials warned SVG debt could reach 144.5% of GDP by 2031 unless a Growth and Stabilization Plan lifts growth and targets lower debt by 2035.

Digital Trade Upgrade: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Customs and Excise has launched ASYCUDA World v4.4, the base for the Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSwift), letting brokers and companies lodge declarations, upload documents, track status, and pay duties online—backed by the World Bank’s CARDP and UNCTAD. Disaster Preparedness Tech: NEMO held its 2026 Hurricane/Wet Season Climate Outlook Forum, highlighting impact-based early warning so forecasts translate into actions for emergency planning. Climate & Oceans Diplomacy: SVG sent a two-person delegation to the Inaugural Island State Ocean Summit in Tokyo, pushing science-based, climate-resilient ocean stewardship. Health & Regional Care: World Paediatrics ran a high-demand scoliosis clinic at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, assessing 42 children and completing eight paediatric spinal surgeries. Finance Leadership: The Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange named St. Vincentian Stewart Haynes as its new CEO, effective 1 June 2026, ahead of its 25th anniversary. Environment Funding: The GEF approved a US$6.1m project for watershed restoration and sustainable land management in SVG’s south corridor, led by UNEP and executed via BCRC-Caribbean.

Customs Digital Upgrade: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Customs and Excise launched ASYCUDA World version 4.4, a key step toward fully paperless trade through VSwift, letting brokers and businesses lodge declarations, upload documents, track status, and pay duties online. Climate Early Warning: NEMO held its 2026 Hurricane/Wet Season Climate Outlook Forum, stressing that forecasts must be turned into actionable early warnings, with a new push toward impact-based forecasting. Disaster Risk Tech: Meteorological Services plans an Impact-Based Early Warning system, aiming to focus on the effects of storms, not just weather readings. Ocean Policy on the Move: A two-member SVG delegation attended the Island State Ocean Summit in Tokyo, urging science-based, climate-resilient ocean stewardship. Ecosystem Restoration Funding: The GEF approved a US$6.1m project for nature-based watershed restoration in SVG’s south corridor, led by UNEP. Health & Regional Care: World Paediatrics ran a high-demand scoliosis clinic at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, assessing 42 children and completing eight surgeries. AI & Cultural Visibility (Opinion): A local commentary warns that AI trained on digitised records could leave Vincentian culture “overlooked” unless local data is preserved and shared. Debt and Growth Plan: A government briefing to development partners warned SVG debt could reach 144.5% of GDP by 2031 unless a Growth and Stabilization Plan boosts growth and cuts poverty and youth unemployment.

Digital Customs Upgrade: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Customs and Excise launched ASYCUDA World version 4.4, paving the way for a paperless Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSwift) with online declarations, document uploads, tracking, and duty payments. Climate Early Warning: NEMO held its 2026 Hurricane/Wet Season Climate Outlook Forum, highlighting the shift to impact-based early warning so forecasts translate into action for emergency planning. Ocean Policy on the Move: Fisheries Minister Conroy Huggins and Senior Fisheries Officer Kris Isaacs represented SVG at the Island State Ocean Summit in Tokyo, pushing science-based, climate-resilient ocean stewardship. Debt and Growth Plan: A government briefing warned SVG’s debt could reach 144.5% of GDP by 2031 unless a Growth and Stabilization Plan doubles growth to 5% and targets 60% debt-to-GDP by 2035. Ecosystem Restoration Funding: The GEF approved a US$6.1m project for watershed restoration and sustainable land management in SVG’s south corridor. Regional Health Tech: World Paediatrics ran a high-demand scoliosis clinic at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, assessing 42 children and completing eight paediatric spinal surgeries. AI and Cultural Visibility: An opinion piece warns that AI trained on existing digital data may leave small nations like SVG “invisible” unless local knowledge is preserved and shared.

Customs Digitisation: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Customs and Excise has launched ASYCUDA World version 4.4, a key step toward paperless trade via Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSwift), letting brokers and importers lodge declarations, upload documents, track status, and pay duties online. Disaster Readiness: NEMO’s 2026 Hurricane/Wet Season Climate Outlook Forum pushed “impact-based” forecasting so weather predictions translate into actions for emergency planning, with a new Impact-Based Early Warning system set for Meteorological Services. Health & Tech in Care: World Paediatrics ran a high-demand scoliosis clinic at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, assessing 42 children and completing eight paediatric spinal surgeries, supported by local surgical teams. Climate Restoration Funding: The Global Environment Facility approved a US$6.1 million watershed restoration project for St. Vincent, using nature-based solutions to protect ecosystems and livelihoods. AI & Local Identity: An opinion warns that AI trained on existing digital records may leave small communities like SVG “invisible” unless local culture and history are actively preserved online.

Paperless Trade Upgrade: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Customs and Excise has launched ASYCUDA World v4.4, paving the way for a fully paperless customs setup and the Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSwift), letting brokers and importers lodge declarations, upload documents, track status, and pay duties online. Disaster Readiness: NEMO held its 2026 Hurricane/Wet Season Climate Outlook Forum, stressing that forecasts must be turned into action for emergency planning, with focus on the next few days’ operational value. Early Warning Systems: The Meteorological Services is moving toward an impact-based early warning approach, aiming to forecast not just weather, but likely effects on people and services. Health & Surgery: World Paediatrics ran a scoliosis clinic at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, assessing 42 children and completing eight paediatric spinal surgeries. Ecosystem Restoration Funding: The GEF approved a US$6.1m project for watershed restoration in St. Vincent, using nature-based solutions to support livelihoods and climate resilience. Digital Policing Skills: The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force started a one-week digital forensics training programme to strengthen handling of digital materials in investigations. AI & Cultural Visibility (Opinion): A local commentary warns that AI trained on existing digital records may leave Vincentian culture underrepresented, risking communities being “overlooked.”

Paperless Trade Upgrade: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Customs and Excise has launched ASYCUDA World v4.4, paving the way for a fully paperless customs system and the Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSwift), letting brokers and importers lodge declarations, upload documents, track status, and pay duties online. Disaster Readiness: NEMO held its 2026 Hurricane/Wet Season Climate Outlook Forum, stressing that forecasts must be turned into action for emergency planning, with special focus on short-range guidance. Early Warning Tech: The Meteorological Services is set to implement an impact-based early warning approach, aiming to forecast not just weather, but real-world effects. Digital Policing: The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force started a one-week digital forensics training programme to strengthen how officers handle and examine digital evidence. Clean Energy for Fisheries: The STAR-Fish project is ramping up clean energy interventions for Caribbean fisheries, including renewable power and cold-chain improvements. Health & Research: Cuba’s CIM highlighted VAXIRA, a lung cancer vaccine treatment, as a major biotech milestone. Tourism Tech & Data: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 brings regional tourism leaders together to push “One Caribbean” strategies amid shifting travel preferences.

AI & Culture: A new local commentary warns that AI trained on digitised archives could make Vincentian stories, Creole, and oral history “invisible” if they aren’t properly represented in the data. Disaster Tech: The Meteorological Services is set to roll out an Impact-Based Early Warning system, aiming to forecast not just weather, but real-world impacts. Digital Policing: The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force begins a one-week digital forensics training to strengthen how officers handle and examine digital evidence. Connectivity for All: The NTRC and FLOW sign a five-year DRIVE project contract under the Universal Service Fund to expand ICT access and resilience. Environment & Land: GEF approves a US$6.1 million watershed restoration project for nature-based ecosystem recovery in St. Vincent’s south corridor. Health & Science: World Paediatrics runs a high-demand scoliosis clinic at MCMH, assessing 42 children and completing eight paediatric spinal surgeries. Clean Energy for Fisheries: The STAR-Fish project ramps up clean energy interventions for Caribbean fisheries, including renewable power and cold-chain improvements.

AI & Culture: A new local commentary warns that AI trained on digitised records can make small nations like St. Vincent and the Grenadines “invisible” unless Vincentian stories, Creole, archives and oral history are actively preserved and fed into digital systems. Disaster Tech: The Meteorological Services is set to roll out an Impact-Based Early Warning system, shifting from just forecasting weather to communicating likely impacts for disaster risk management. Digital Inclusion: The NTRC and FLOW have signed a five-year, EC$1.632m DRIVE Project contract under the Universal Service Fund to expand ICT access and resilience. Public Safety Tech: The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force has started a one-week Digital Forensics Training Programme to strengthen how officers handle and examine digital evidence. Environment & Land: The GEF approved a US$6.1m ecosystem restoration project for the South Corridor, using nature-based solutions to support sustainable land management. Health & Research: World Paediatrics ran a scoliosis clinic at MCMH, assessing 42 children and completing eight paediatric spinal surgeries. Diplomacy & Education: SVG’s embassy in Taiwan congratulated psychology graduate Ulrica David, while SVG and Cuba marked 34 years of diplomatic ties.

Digital Resilience & Safety: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Services will roll out an Impact-Based Early Warning system to better forecast not just weather, but real-world impacts during major storms. Public Safety Tech: The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force has started a one-week Digital Forensics Training Programme to strengthen how officers handle and examine digital evidence. Connectivity: The NTRC and FLOW signed a five-year, EC$1.632m DRIVE Project under the Universal Service Fund to expand digital inclusion and virtual access. Environment & Funding: The Global Environment Facility approved a US$6.1m ecosystem restoration project for St. Vincent, using nature-based solutions to restore degraded lands and support climate resilience. Health & Care: World Paediatrics ran a high-demand scoliosis clinic at MCMH, assessing 42 children and completing eight paediatric spinal surgeries. Diplomacy & Education: SVG’s embassy in Taiwan congratulated psychology graduate Ulrica David on completing her BSc. Regional Science & Risk: A magnitude 6.0 earthquake was reported by the UWI Seismic Research Centre, with tremors felt across several islands including St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Digital Inclusion: The NTRC and FLOW have signed a five-year, EC$1.632m DRIVE project contract under the Universal Service Fund to expand ICT access and resilience across St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Public Safety Tech: The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force has started a one-week Digital Forensics Training Programme to strengthen how officers handle and examine digital evidence. Climate & Disaster Preparedness: SVG Meteorological Services is set to roll out an Impact-Based Early Warning system, shifting from forecasting conditions to anticipating real-world impacts during major weather events. Environment Restoration: The Global Environment Facility approved a US$6.1m project for nature-based ecosystem restoration in St. Vincent’s south corridor, led by UNEP and executed via BCRC-Caribbean. Health & Science: World Paediatrics ran a scoliosis clinic at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, assessing 42 children and completing eight paediatric spinal surgeries. AI & Culture: An opinion warns that AI trained on existing digitized data could make small nations “invisible” unless Vincentian stories, language, and records are actively preserved. Regional Science & Tech: STAR-Fish is ramping up clean energy for Caribbean fisheries, including renewable power and cold-chain upgrades. Earthquake: A magnitude 6.0 quake (5:27pm, depth 53km) was felt across the eastern Caribbean, with no immediate damage reports.