AGP Executive Report

Public Finance & AI: Prime Minister Godwin Friday opened a regional workshop on “Adapting Public Financial Management for AI: Harnessing Digital-by-Design,” stressing that SIDS like SVG need data resilience and real digital transformation—not just digitisation—to protect budgets during disasters and AI-driven change. Digital Skills: The OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Programme (via CARDTP and UWI Global Campus) opens Sept. 10 and runs to Sept. 20, offering training and industry certifications across AI, cybersecurity, cloud, data analytics, fintech/blockchain, UX/UI, and more. Tourism Tech: SVG launched “Vincy List,” a new online directory to help visitors and locals find restaurants, tours, services, and attractions, with planned printed listings for Argyle airport. Food & Ag Research: The Agriculture Ministry and CARDI are evaluating five carrot varieties to cut the food import bill and boost rural profitability, as part of a EU-funded project. Digital Rights in Policing: RSVGPF IT officers clarified that police can’t search a cellular phone without a warrant, even as digital evidence becomes central to investigations. Invasive Species Control: Authorities are stepping up efforts to eradicate the Giant African Snail using surveillance and containment to protect agriculture. Energy Costs: Antigua and Barbuda signaled fuel price increases tied to the US-Iran war’s impact on global petroleum prices, highlighting how regional energy shocks ripple through budgets. Health Leadership: PAHO and UWI celebrated the graduation of a health policy and health systems postgraduate cohort, building regional capacity for workforce and health system challenges.

Public Safety & Privacy: Police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines can’t search a person’s cellular phone without a warrant, clarifying how “digital evidence” works in investigations. Tourism Tech: A new online directory, The Vincy List, is launching to help visitors and residents find local businesses, events, and services, with planned printed listings at Argyle airport. Digital Skills: The OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship opens Sept. 10 and runs to Sept. 20, offering training in areas like AI, cybersecurity, cloud, data analytics, fintech, and UX/UI. AI in Government Finance: A regional workshop in Kingstown is pushing a “digital by design” approach to public financial management, with Prime Minister Godwin Friday warning against AI hype and focusing on real governance problems. Agriculture & Food Security: The Agriculture Ministry and CARDI are evaluating five carrot varieties to cut the food import bill and boost rural profitability. Biosecurity: Authorities are stepping up efforts to eradicate the invasive Giant African Snail. Regional Tech/Infrastructure: Finland is prosecuting a St. Vincent and the Grenadines–registered ship crew over anchor dragging that damaged undersea cables and a gas pipeline. Health Systems Training: PAHO and UWI are celebrating the graduation of the third cohort of a health policy and systems postgraduate programme across the Caribbean.

Public Tech & Law: Police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines can’t search a person’s cellular phone without a warrant, with officers stressing that digital trails matter but searches must follow the rules. Digital Tourism: A new “Vincy List” online directory is rolling out to help visitors and locals find restaurants, tours, services and events, with plans for printed listings at Argyle airport. AI for Government Finance: A regional workshop in Kingstown is pushing “digital by design” for public financial management, with leaders warning against AI hype and “mere digitisation” that doesn’t fix real problems. OECS Skills Boost: Applications for the OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship (CARDTP/UWI Global Campus) open Sept 10 and run to Sept 20, covering AI, cybersecurity, cloud, data, fintech and more. Agriculture Tech: The Agriculture Ministry and CARDI are evaluating five carrot varieties to cut the food import bill and improve rural profits. Biosecurity: Authorities are stepping up efforts to eradicate the invasive Giant African Snail through surveillance and containment.

Digital Tourism: St. Vincent and the Grenadines is rolling out The Vincy List, a new online directory to help visitors and locals quickly find restaurants, hotels, attractions, tours and services—plus planned printed listings for distribution at Argyle airport. Public Service Tech: A local complaint highlights frustrating customer service when sourcing building supplies, with issues ranging from unanswered calls to product availability mismatches via phone and WhatsApp. AI & Public Finance: SVG is hosting a regional workshop, “Adapting Public Financial Management for AI: Harnessing Digital-by-Design,” with the IMF and CARTAC, where leaders stress moving beyond “mere digitisation” toward practical, resilient systems. Data Resilience: Prime Minister Godwin Friday links digital-by-design to stronger public financial management and disaster recovery for small island states. Digital Skills Scholarships: The OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Programme opens Sept 10–20, offering training in areas like AI, cybersecurity, cloud, data analytics and fintech. Agriculture Tech Trials: The Agriculture Ministry and CARDI are evaluating five carrot varieties to cut the import bill and boost rural profitability. Invasive Species Control: Authorities step up efforts to eradicate the Giant African Snail using surveillance and containment to protect agriculture. Law & Mobile Privacy: Police say officers need a warrant before searching cellular phones, clarifying how digital evidence is handled in investigations.

Digital Tourism: St. Vincent and the Grenadines is rolling out The Vincy List, a new online directory to help visitors and locals quickly find restaurants, hotels, attractions, tours, entertainment, shopping and services, with plans for printed listings at Argyle airport. Customer Service: A local complaint calls out frustrating delays and poor product knowledge from some building-supply businesses, arguing that WhatsApp and phone lines aren’t working as promised. AI & Public Finance: A regional workshop in Kingstown is pushing “digital by design” for public financial management, with Prime Minister Godwin Friday warning against AI hype and urging tech to solve real governance problems, not just automate weak systems. Digital Skills Scholarships: The OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Programme opens Sept 10 and runs to Sept 20, offering training in areas like AI, cybersecurity, cloud, data analytics, fintech and UX/UI. Law & Phones: Police say officers need a warrant to search cellular devices, clarifying how digital evidence should be handled in investigations. Agriculture Tech Trials: The Agriculture Ministry and CARDI are evaluating five carrot varieties to cut the food import bill and boost rural profitability. Biosecurity: Authorities are stepping up efforts to eradicate the Giant African Snail with surveillance and containment to stop it spreading.

Digital Skills & Jobs: The OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Programme opens Sept. 10 and runs to Sept. 20, offering CARDTP (World Bank-funded) training delivered by The UWI Global Campus, with tracks including AI/ML, cybersecurity, cloud, data analytics, fintech/blockchain, UX/UI, and more. Public Finance + AI: St. Vincent and the Grenadines hosts a regional workshop on “Adapting Public Financial Management for AI: Harnessing Digital-by-Design,” with Prime Minister Godwin Friday urging governments to avoid “mere digitisation” and focus on real problems, resilience, and accountable governance. Law + Phones: Police say officers need warrants to search cellular devices, clarifying how digital evidence fits into investigations. Food Security Tech in Practice: The Agriculture Ministry and CARDI are evaluating five carrot varieties in Majorca Mountain to cut the import bill and boost rural profits. Biosecurity Alert: Authorities are stepping up efforts to eradicate the Giant African Snail, using surveillance and collection to stop spread. Local Tech Service Friction: A local complaint highlights poor customer service when sourcing building supplies, including unhelpful phone/WhatsApp responses and stock mismatches.

Digital Skills & AI Training: The OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Programme (via the World Bank-funded CARDTP and delivered by The UWI Global Campus) opens 10 September and runs to 20 September, offering advanced tracks from cybersecurity and data analytics to AI/ML, cloud, fintech, and UX/UI for citizens across OECS states including St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Public Finance Tech: St. Vincent and the Grenadines is hosting a regional workshop on “Adapting Public Financial Management for AI: Harnessing Digital-by-Design,” with Prime Minister Godwin Friday stressing data resilience and warning against “AI hype” or using tech to mask weak systems. Health Systems Leadership: PAHO and The University of the West Indies marked the graduation of the third cohort of a Health Policy and Health Systems postgraduate programme, training professionals from across the Caribbean, including SVG. Agriculture & Food Security: The Ministry of Agriculture, with CARDI, is evaluating five carrot varieties in Majorca Mountain to cut the food import bill and boost rural profitability, supported by EU/ITC-linked work. Invasive Species Control: Authorities are stepping up efforts to eradicate the Giant African Snail using surveillance and containment to protect SVG’s agriculture sector. Law & Phones: Police say officers need a warrant to search cellular devices, clarifying how digital evidence is handled in investigations. Maritime Tech & Risk: Finland prosecutors are pursuing a case involving a St. Vincent and the Grenadines–registered ship accused of dragging an anchor and damaging undersea cables and a gas pipeline. Sports Administration: A new school sports coordinator is being highlighted as the system gears up for the 2026–2027 term’s competitions.

Digital Rights & Policing: SVG police say officers can’t search a person’s cellular phone without a warrant, even as digital trails become central to investigations. AI & Public Finance: A regional workshop in Kingstown is pushing “digital by design” for public financial management, with Prime Minister Godwin Friday warning against AI hype and “mere digitisation.” Skills for the Tech Economy: OECS opened applications for the 2026 Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship (Sept 10–20), covering areas like AI, cloud, cybersecurity, data analytics, fintech, and UX/UI. Invasive Species Control: SVG authorities are stepping up efforts to eradicate the Giant African Snail, using surveillance and collection to stop spread into new areas. Regional Tech & Security Labs: The US-backed push for Caribbean forensic capacity highlights lab standards and training, including support for synthetic-drug detection and court-ready processing. Food & Innovation: Youth completed a science internship programme supporting food security, while CARDI is testing carrot varieties to revive export potential.

Digital Skills Scholarships: OECS has opened applications (Sept 10–20) for the 2026 OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Programme, delivered by UWI Global Campus under the World Bank-funded Caribbean Digital Transformation Project, with training areas ranging from AI/ML and cybersecurity to cloud, fintech/blockchain, data analytics, UX/UI, and web/mobile app development. AI for Public Finances: In Kingstown, SVG is hosting a regional workshop on “Adapting Public Financial Management for AI: Harnessing Digital-by-Design,” with the IMF and CARTAC, as PM Godwin Friday urges governments to move past “mere digitisation” and use AI to solve real governance problems with stronger data resilience and accountability. Invasive Species Control: SVG authorities are stepping up efforts to eradicate the Giant African Snail, using surveillance and containment measures and urging people moving in and out of affected areas to take precautions. Food Security Skills: Forty-five young Vincentians completed the 2026 Youth in Agriculture Science Internship Programme (YASIP), gaining hands-on placements across 23 host organizations to support the country’s food system. Regional Tech & Governance Watch: A World Bank/IDB/WTO report warns Guyana risks falling behind in digital trade due to gaps in trade commitments, infrastructure, logistics, and integration into digital-trade rules. Mobile Data Costs (Global): A new Broadband Genie study ranks the UK 46th for average mobile broadband cost per 1GB, highlighting how pricing varies widely by market. Maritime Tech Incident (SVG-linked): Finland prosecutors are pursuing a captain and boatswain over an anchor-dragging incident involving a St. Vincent and the Grenadines–registered ship, after damage to undersea cables and a gas pipeline.

AI & Public Finance: St. Vincent and the Grenadines is hosting a regional workshop, “Adapting Public Financial Management for AI: Harnessing Digital-by-Design,” with the IMF and CARTAC, as Prime Minister Godwin Friday urges governments to move past “mere digitisation” and use AI to solve real public finance problems with stronger data systems and accountability. Digital Resilience: Friday also stressed data resilience for small island states, especially when recovering from disasters. Agriculture & Food Security: Forty-five young Vincentians completed the Youth in Agriculture Science Internship Programme (YASIP), gaining hands-on placements across 23 host organizations. Invasive Species Alert: Authorities are stepping up efforts to eradicate the Giant African Snail, using surveillance and containment, and warning people to take precautions when moving in and out of affected areas. Connectivity Costs: A new study ranks the UK 46th for average mobile broadband data cost, highlighting how pricing varies widely by market. Maritime Tech & Liability: Finland is prosecuting a captain and boatswain over an anchor-dragging incident blamed for damaging undersea cables and a gas pipeline, with the ship registered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Biosecurity Alert: St. Vincent and the Grenadines is stepping up efforts to eradicate the invasive Giant African Snail, using surveillance and targeted collection to stop it spreading beyond affected areas, with officials urging people who travel in and out of infected zones to take precautions. AI & Public Finance: Prime Minister Godwin Friday opened a regional workshop in Kingstown on “Adapting Public Financial Management for AI: Harnessing Digital-by-Design,” stressing that governments should move past “mere digitisation” and use AI to solve real governance problems—especially as SIDS recover from disasters and need stronger data resilience. Regional Tech Governance: The same workshop, co-ordinated with the IMF and CARTAC, brings together public financial management and IT teams from across the Caribbean to map where data is fragmented and where controls and decision-making can be improved. Food Tech & Trials: CARDI is running new carrot variety trials in SVG to revive export potential and cut the food import bill, supported by the EU and implemented with the International Trade Centre. Digital Trade Watch: A World Bank/IDB/WTO report warns countries like Guyana could fall behind in the digital economy unless they strengthen trade commitments, infrastructure, logistics, and alignment with emerging digital-trade rules. Connectivity Costs: A new study ranks the UK 46th for average mobile broadband data cost, highlighting how pricing varies widely across markets. Maritime Tech Incident: Finland is prosecuting a captain and boatswain over an anchor-dragging incident blamed for damaging undersea cables and a gas pipeline, with the ship registered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

AI & Public Finance: Prime Minister Godwin Friday opened a regional workshop in Kingstown on “Adapting Public Financial Management for AI: Harnessing Digital-by-Design,” warning governments not to chase “AI hype” or just automate weak systems, but to build resilient, well-governed data foundations—especially after disasters—working with the IMF and CARTAC. Broadband Costs: A new Broadband Genie study ranked the UK 46th for average mobile broadband data cost at about $0.27 per 1GB, highlighting how pricing varies widely by market. Food-Tech & Youth Skills: Forty-five young Vincentians completed the Youth in Agriculture Science Internship Programme (YASIP), gaining hands-on placements across 23 organizations to strengthen local food security. Agriculture Trials: CARDI is testing five carrot varieties in Majorca Mountain to revive SVG’s export legacy and cut import bills, supported by the EU and ITC. Forensics & Crime Fighting: A regional push is expanding forensic capacity across Caribbean labs, including ballistic imaging support for SVG via CARICOM IMPACS, to strengthen cross-border investigations. Crypto & Regulation: SVG’s fintech landscape continues to shift as regulators and firms respond to new rules and licensing moves, while regional coverage notes tighter leveraged-product and virtual-asset oversight trends.

Digital-by-Design for Public Finances: Prime Minister Godwin Friday opened a regional workshop in Kingstown on adapting public financial management for AI, stressing “digital by design” and warning against AI hype or using tech to mask weak governance—especially as SIDS recover from disasters. Data Resilience: Friday also highlighted why stronger data systems are vital for continuity in budgeting and service delivery, with sessions running at the Holiday Inn at Diamond alongside IMF and CARTAC support. Food Security Skills Pipeline: Forty-five Vincentian youth completed the Youth in Agriculture Science Internship Programme (YASIP), gaining placements across 23 host organizations and showcasing top interns through a “Ten for Ten” push to strengthen local food systems. Carrot Trials for Exports: CARDI is testing five carrot varieties on a Majorca Mountain farm to revive SVG’s export legacy, cut import bills, and boost rural profitability, with EU funding via ITC. Crime-Fighting Tech Links: Deputy PM St. Clair Leacock shared lessons from a New York Police Department visit, focusing on community policing, coordinated information, and practical tech partnerships for SVG’s security response.

AI & Public Finance: Prime Minister Godwin Friday opened a regional workshop on “Adapting Public Financial Management for AI: Harnessing Digital-by-Design,” urging Caribbean governments to move past “mere digitisation” and use AI only to solve real governance problems, not chase hype. Regional AI Capacity: The same event brought together finance and IT officials from 19 jurisdictions with IMF’s CARTAC, with a focus on safer, practical ways to modernise fiscal systems. Food Security Skills: Forty-five young Vincentians completed the 2026 Youth in Agriculture Science Internship Programme (YASIP), placed across 23 host organisations, supported by the Zero Hunger Trust Fund and the SVG Conservation Fund. Agriculture Trials: CARDI is running EU-funded carrot variety trials on a local farm to revive SVG’s export legacy and cut the food import bill. Digital Policy Debate: PM Friday also warned against AI hype in public finances, reinforcing that technology must serve governance and accountability. Youth Health Engagement: The REACH project invites 18–24-year-olds across Windward Islands to a virtual orientation on youth leadership in adolescent health. Crime-Fighting Tech: Deputy PM St. Clair Leacock shared lessons from a New York Police Department visit, highlighting community policing and technology partnerships for tackling gun violence. Mobile Data Cost Watch: A new study ranks the UK 46th globally for average mobile broadband data cost, a reminder of how connectivity pricing varies by market.

AI & Public Finance: St. Vincent and the Grenadines hosted a regional workshop on “Adapting Public Financial Management for AI: Harnessing Digital by Design,” co-led with the IMF’s CARTAC, where Prime Minister Godwin Friday warned against “AI hype” and urged governments to solve real problems before automating processes. Regional AI Capacity: Delegates from 19 jurisdictions met in Kingstown to map where digital systems can improve controls, data flow, and decision-making—while stressing that technology can’t replace strong institutions. Mobile Internet Costs: A new Broadband Genie study comparing 3,446 SIM-only plans across 234 markets ranked the UK 46th for average mobile broadband cost per 1GB, a reminder that pricing comparisons depend heavily on assumptions like fair-use limits. Food & Exports: CARDI is testing five carrot varieties at a demonstration plot to revive SVG’s export legacy and cut the food import bill, with EU/ITC support. Crime-Fighting Tech & Policing: Deputy PM St. Clair Leacock shared lessons from a New York Police Department visit, focusing on community policing, real-time coordination, and how “institutional capacity” can help SVG tackle gun violence. Youth & Health Engagement: The REACH project invited 18–24-year-olds across SVG and the Windward Islands to join a virtual orientation on youth leadership in adolescent health. Digital Governance for Youth: Nevis is sending representatives to a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference on “Strengthening Parliaments in the Digital Age,” including a virtual youth parliament session on AI. Crypto Oversight Watch: A weekly fintech/regulation review notes SVG paused crypto applications while Nigeria proposed tighter rules for leveraged products and crypto-related CFDs. Local Tech/Community Learning: A LEAF-funded business project and an Eisner fellowship for Vincentian scholar Carlene Hunte-Nelson highlight ongoing support for innovation, leadership, and community initiatives.

Public Safety & Tech in Policing: Deputy PM and National Security Minister St. Clair Leacock says his NYPD visit is shaping SVG’s approach to gun violence and homicides, with a focus on community policing, faster information flow, and coordinated responses through regional systems like CARICOM IMPACS. Education & Liberation: Climate resilience expert Andrew Simmons told the Oscar Allen Memorial Emancipation Lecture that education must move beyond certification to build identity, community-centred citizens, and practical knowledge for development. Health & Antibiotic Use: A medical technologist raised alarms on the misuse of antimicrobial medicines, warning that antimicrobial resistance is a major global killer and calling for better public understanding. Agriculture & Capacity Building: FAO began coconut training at the Orange Hill Agriculture Biotechnology Centre, targeting modern production, nursery management, pest and disease control, and value-chain skills. Marine Conservation: A citizen-science coral survey reports encouraging staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) regrowth off Battowia in the Northern Grenadines, after past climate shocks. Regional Governance & AI: Nevis representatives joined a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference on “Strengthening Parliaments in the Digital Age,” with youth parliamentarians set to discuss AI’s impact. Crypto Regulation Watch: Nigeria proposed new CFD rules that cap leverage and tighten marketing and retail conduct, while SVG paused crypto applications amid broader fintech oversight.