AGP Executive Report

Climate Finance: Caribbean leaders say they’ve identified US$17.6bn in national and regional climate investment opportunities after the 2026 Climate Smart Summit in Barbados, and are now launching an 18-month push to turn proposals into real projects. Loss & Damage Funding: The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage is set to meet in the Philippines to review the first grant requests under the Barbados Implementation Modalities, with ecosystem restoration and livelihood recovery on the table. Sargassum Research: Scientists at Barbados’ Ragged Point Atmospheric Chemistry Observatory are probing whether Saharan dust could be helping fuel sargassum growth across the island and wider Caribbean. Health Watch: Barbados’ Chief Medical Officer reports no new cases of scarlet fever, chicken pox or monkeypox after earlier school-related investigations. Weather & Air Quality: Barbados Meteorological Services warns of unstable conditions with showers and isolated thunderstorms, plus a slight dust haze; a tropical wave is also expected to bring more rain before Saharan dust affects air quality. Regional Digital Push: UWI and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union sign a new MoU to strengthen digital policy, research, capacity building and resilience across the region.

Digital Resilience: UWI and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) have signed a new MoU to strengthen regional digital policy, research, capacity building, and evidence-based decision-making—building on past work on AI policy and digital harmonisation. Climate & Youth Action: Barbados’ Ashley Lashley represented the island at the Rainforest Youth Summit in Malaysia, pushing youth leadership and Indigenous knowledge for climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development. Sugar Sector Impacts: BESCO says it will sever 10 employees after the 2026 sugar harvest, citing sustained operational and financial pressures and the need for a more sustainable operating model. Regional Integration Push: CARICOM’s incoming chairman, St Lucia PM Philip J. Pierre, urged leaders to move from declarations to results on issues including climate change, food security, crime, and the rising cost of living. Local Weather Watch: Barbados is under unstable conditions with occasional cloudy skies, moderate to heavy showers, isolated thunderstorms, and a slight dust haze; marine swells are moderate (1.5–2.0m). Health & Safety: Barbados’ Health Ministry issued a festival-season advisory for mass events, requiring organisers to notify the Environmental Health Department and meet sanitary and permit requirements. Tourism Connectivity: Aer Lingus is set to launch a temporary direct Dublin–Barbados service in late March 2026 using a fuel-efficient Airbus A321XLR, boosting Irish access as the Manchester base ends.

CARICOM push for results: CARICOM chairman Philip J. Pierre (St. Lucia) urged leaders to move from declarations to action, saying people are demanding answers on crime, climate change, food and energy security, and the cost of living. Barbados climate youth spotlight: Ashley Lashley represented Barbados at the Rainforest Youth Summit in Malaysia, sharing youth-led approaches to climate resilience and biodiversity conservation. Barbados development win: A CDB evaluation says Barbados is the strongest performer among five Caribbean countries in policy-based lending, citing a high-ownership reform model and strong technical support. Regional security training: 32 police and soldiers from seven Caribbean countries graduated from an RSS public order training and instructors’ course, strengthening prosecution and justice delivery capacity. Health & events guidance: Barbados’ Health Ministry issued a festival-season advisory for mass gatherings, requiring organisers to notify the Environmental Health Department and meet sanitation and permit rules. Weather: Unstable conditions bring occasional clouds, moderate to heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms, with a slight dust haze and easterly winds around 30–35 km/h.

CARICOM Day debate: Caribbean Court of Justice President Winston Anderson is renewing the call to treat CARICOM Day as a national holiday, arguing it’s about shared values and a future of regional belonging—not just history. Regional weather watch: Barbados Meteorological Services reports a tropical wave bringing heavy showers and a small craft advisory, with a flash flood watch extended until 6 p.m. and more rain possible in low-lying areas. Air links for tourism: Aer Lingus is set to launch a temporary direct Dublin–Barbados service in late March 2026 using a fuel-efficient A321XLR, with three flights weekly from March 31 to May 31. Youth and health: St. Thomas Church Health Ministry leaders are urging young people, especially males, to join and help drive physical, mental and spiritual wellness programmes across Barbados. Skills push: Barbados Minister Sandra Husbands says the country must strengthen digital skills for the AI-driven economy, starting early. Climate-smart regional integration: CARICOM leaders are stressing collective action on climate change, food and energy security, and youth opportunities as the 53rd anniversary period continues.

Weather & hazards: Barbados Meteorological Services says a tropical wave is bringing moderate to heavy showers, with a flash flood watch extended until 6 p.m. today and up to an additional inch of rain possible in some areas; motorists and residents are urged to stay alert as conditions could worsen. Regional climate resilience: CARICOM leaders mark CARICOM Day with calls for stronger collective action as member states face climate change, food and energy security pressures, and the need to deepen regional integration and digital transformation. Coastlines under pressure: The UWI Seismic Research Centre confirms coastal uplift in Cedros, linked to Venezuela’s twin earthquakes, with stranded sea creatures reported after the shoreline shifted rapidly. Digital skills push: Barbados’ Minister Sandra Husbands says the island must strengthen digital skills to seize opportunities in the digital economy, including AI and climate-smart agriculture. Regional standards: CARICOM Day coverage highlights how regional standardisation supports safer trade and consumer protection across Caribbean markets. Travel advisory note: A Barbados weather forecast also flags slight dust haze and fresh easterly breezes, with moderate open-water swells.

Weather Watch: Barbados Meteorological Services says a tropical wave is bringing heavy showers and a flash flood watch has been extended until 6 p.m., with more rain possible in low-lying, flood-prone areas. Regional Climate & Air Quality: A tropical wave is moving through the Eastern Caribbean with increased rainfall, followed by Saharan dust that could reduce air quality. Earth & Coasts: The UWI Seismic Research Centre links coastal uplift in Cedros to Venezuela’s twin earthquakes, with sea life stranded after the coastline shifted. CARICOM Day & Unity: CARICOM leaders mark the 53rd anniversary with calls to move from discussion to stronger collective action, including on climate change, food and energy security, and youth opportunities. Evidence-Based Policy: Barbados’ Minister Marsha Caddle urges CARICOM statisticians to be led by evidence and push for a “single source of truth” as population and fertility trends shape planning. Digital Skills for Growth: Barbados launches/advances a digital skills push, arguing stronger tech competence is key for productivity and climate-smart opportunities. Youth & Inclusion: BBSA and UNDP deliver inclusiveness training for young people, including environmental protection themes. Tourism Infrastructure: St. Kitts breaks ground on a new cruise terminal aimed at cruise home-porting and longer stays.

Flash Flood Watch & Tropical Wave: Barbados Meteorological Services says a tropical wave is bringing periods of moderate to heavy showers, with a flash flood watch extended until 6 p.m. and up to an additional inch of rain possible in low-lying areas. Heat & Climate Outlook: CariCOF warns El Niño is strengthening and Caribbean seas are warming, raising risks of heatwaves, prolonged drought in parts of the Lesser Antilles, and flooding from heavy rainfall later in the wet season. Coastline Change After Quakes: UWI Seismic Research Centre confirms Cedros’ coastal uplift was triggered by Venezuela’s twin earthquakes, with sea life stranded after the sudden shift. Regional Security Training: Eastern Caribbean law enforcement and prosecutors complete an RSS course to strengthen criminal prosecution and justice delivery. Digital Skills Push: Barbados launches a digital skills drive, with Minister Sandra Husbands urging early, continuous learning to help small island economies benefit from AI and automation. Health Prevention Move: BARP, Urgent Care and Beacon Insurance roll out free annual medical assessments for insured members to catch chronic disease earlier. CARICOM Data Leadership: Barbados Minister Marsha Caddle tells CARICOM statisticians to be led by evidence and calls for more investment in data gathering. Tourism Youth Leadership: Senator Shane Archer challenges youth to lead tourism transformation at the 2026 Barbados Tourism Youth Congress.

Flash Flood Watch Extended: Barbados Meteorological Services kept a flash flood watch running until 6 p.m. today as a tropical wave brings moderate to heavy showers, with up to an additional inch of rain possible and flooding risk in low-lying areas. Heat and Drought Outlook: CariCOF warns El Niño is strengthening and Caribbean seas are warming, pointing to more intense humid heat, longer drought in parts of the Lesser Antilles, and a higher risk of flooding from heavy downpours later in the wet season. CARICOM Climate and Data Push: CARICOM marked its 53rd anniversary with calls for stronger regional cooperation, while Barbados’ Marsha Caddle urged CARICOM statisticians to be “led by evidence” and called for more investment in data gathering for better planning. UWI Seismic Link to Venezuela Quakes: The UWI Seismic Research Centre says coastal uplift in Cedros, Barbados, was triggered by twin earthquakes in Venezuela, leaving sea life stranded and shifting the shoreline. Health Prevention Move: BARP, with Beacon Insurance and Urgent Care, launched free annual medical assessments for insured members to shift from reactive care to early detection. UAE-Barbados Cooperation: UAE Minister Noura Al Kaabi wrapped up a visit focused on trade, digital transformation, sustainable development, and investment.

CARICOM at 53: CARICOM marks its 53rd anniversary with renewed calls for deeper regional cooperation, highlighting progress in security, disaster response, climate adaptation, public health and education. Data for policy: Barbados’ Economic Affairs Minister Marsha Caddle urged CARICOM statisticians to be “led by evidence,” backing a “single source of truth” and more investment in data as the region prepares for the 2030 population and housing census. Flood risk: A tropical wave is bringing heavy rain across Barbados, with a flash flood watch extended to 6 p.m. as more rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas. Heat and climate outlook: CariCOF warns El Niño strengthening and warming seas could intensify heat, prolong drought in parts of the region, and raise the risk of flooding from heavy downpours. Youth and environment: Alleyne School unveiled plans to become Barbados’ greenest secondary school, expanding recycling, rainwater harvesting, tree planting, and solar power. UWI research push: The UWI announced its fourth OneUWI postgraduate conference (Nov 18–21, 2026), spotlighting research on climate resilience and sustainable development.

Barbados Health & Prevention: Beacon Insurance says more people should get early treatment via urgent care, aiming to cut pressure on hospital emergency departments and improve outcomes. Youth & Environment: The BBSA and UNDP ran an inclusiveness training programme for young people, linking participation with entrepreneurship and environmental protection. Population Policy Spotlight: A UNFPA official praised Barbados for leadership on population policy during a CARICOM statistics and census readiness meeting. Tourism Leadership: Senator Shane Archer urged youth to lead tourism transformation at the Barbados Tourism Youth Congress, pushing earlier decision-making and bravery to step forward. Climate Finance Reform: Regional leaders used the CDB annual meeting to call for major reforms to the global climate finance system so small island states can better handle climate impacts. Energy & Policy Pragmatism: Prime Minister Mia Mottley said independence celebrations will be scaled back to protect households from rising costs, while advancing constitutional reform and healthcare measures. UAE–Barbados Cooperation: UAE Minister Noura Al Kaabi visited Barbados to boost ties on trade, digital transformation, sustainable development, and investment. Local Weather Watch: Barbados Meteorological Services forecast partly sunny skies with isolated light showers, plus a tropical wave approaching tonight.

Climate Finance Reform: Caribbean Development Bank leaders used their annual meeting in Nassau to press for major changes to the global climate finance system, saying SIDS can’t access enough funding to handle worsening impacts. Local Resilience & Food Security: Barbados’ agriculture roadmap aims to reposition farming as national resilience, with about US$272m in priority investments and a push to rethink agriculture beyond just production. Green Transport: The Barbados Postal Service added an electric vehicle and a new electric postal cart as part of a wider push toward a 2030 carbon-neutral economy and modern logistics. Disaster Readiness: Hurricane shelter readiness was described as strengthened ahead of the 2026 season, with upgrades, backup power and contingency plans in place. Health Prevention: BARP launched free annual medical assessments for insured members, shifting focus from reactive care to early detection. Youth & Tourism: Youth were urged to lead tourism transformation at the Barbados Tourism Youth Congress, with a call for earlier decision-making and real leadership training. Weather: Expect partly sunny conditions with isolated light showers, plus a tropical wave approaching tonight.

Energy & Climate Policy: Barbados will scale back independence and republic celebrations to cut costs and protect people from inflation, while pushing “environmental pragmatism” on energy—backing natural gas only with strict methane-free standards. Disaster Preparedness: The government says hurricane shelters have been strengthened ahead of the 2026 season, with key upgrades, water tanks and backup generators in working order. Water & Resilience (Regional): St Lucia’s long-running water woes are again in the spotlight, with residents facing intermittent supply and renewed emergency disruption despite major investment. Agriculture & Food Security: Agriculture Minister Dr Shantal Munro-Knight unveiled a roughly US$272m roadmap to reposition farming as national resilience, health and security, not just production. Circular Economy & Marine Pollution: A Trinidad group is pitching a “sargassum-to-wealth” plan—turning beach seaweed into fertiliser and compost—to help tackle recurring invasions. Local Green Moves: Alleyne School announced plans to become Barbados’ greenest secondary school, expanding recycling, rainwater harvesting, aquaponics/hydroponics, and solar power for an electric bus. Regional Cooperation: Canada and CARICOM renewed an action plan focused on climate action, economic resilience and regional security, with Barbados representing CARICOM’s foreign affairs chair. Weather: Sunny with cloudy periods and isolated light showers; moderate easterly winds and marine swells around 1.5–2.5m.

Food systems financing: Caribbean governments say the region’s food import dependence (over US$6bn a year) is now tied to health, climate resilience and shocks—but the big sticking point is financing, with debt limiting what countries can fund alone. Greener schools: Alleyne School in Barbados unveiled plans to become “the greenest secondary school,” expanding recycling, planting trees, adding rainwater harvesting, aquaponics/hydroponics, and installing solar to power an electric bus. SME support for a climate-conscious economy: The Caribbean Development Bank launched CDB Propel (formerly CTCS), aiming to make MSMEs more competitive and “investment-ready,” including digital transformation support for tourism businesses. Hurricane readiness: Barbados says hurricane shelters have been upgraded ahead of the 2026 season, with water tanks and backup generators checked and alternative shelter sites identified where renovations continue. Postal decarbonisation: Barbados Postal Service added an electric vehicle/cart as part of a wider push toward a 2030 carbon-neutral economy and a modern logistics/digital hub. Climate diplomacy: PM Mia Mottley met UK PM Keir Starmer on security and climate/clean air, including methane action and fairer climate finance for small island states. Water and weather: Barbados Meteorological Services forecasts sunny-to-cloudy conditions with isolated showers and moderate easterly breezes, while St Lucia’s water crisis shows how quickly climate-linked infrastructure failures can escalate.

Climate diplomacy: Barbados’ PM Mia Mottley met UK PM Keir Starmer in London to press security cooperation and climate/clean-air action, including methane cuts and fairer climate finance for small island states. Regional climate action: Canada and CARICOM renewed a results-focused action plan on climate resilience, competitive economies and regional security, with clear targets and financing. Energy & environment policy: Barbados signed a five-year cooperation framework with the IAEA for nuclear tech support in health, agriculture, water, energy and radiation safety. Water security: St Lucia faces ongoing water woes despite major investment, with residents dealing with intermittent supply and renewed emergency disruption. Sustainability in logistics: Barbados Postal Service added electric vehicles and an electric cart as part of a push toward a greener, carbon-neutral economy by 2030. Disaster readiness: Barbados says hurricane shelters have been strengthened ahead of the 2026 season, with upgrades, backup power and alternative sites where schools are under renovation. Food & resilience: Agriculture Minister Shantal Munro-Knight unveiled a $272m roadmap to reshape farming as national resilience, health and security. Youth & forests: A Barbados climate activist inspired youth at Malaysia’s Rainforest Youth Summit, where young people drafted recommendations for future forest policy. Blue economy: A firm pitched sargassum as “blue gold,” proposing processing into fertiliser and compost to support food security. Local weather: Barbados Meteorological Services reports a mix of sunshine/clouds with isolated showers and moderate east-northeasterly winds.

Hurricane Preparedness: Barbados says hurricane shelters have been “strengthened” ahead of the 2026 season, with most facilities upgraded, water tanks filled, and diesel generators tested—while some school shelters are temporarily out for retrofits. Postal Decarbonisation: The Barbados Postal Service added an electric utility cart and another electric vehicle as it modernises into a greener logistics and digital services hub aligned with the 2030 carbon-neutral goal. Climate Finance & Resilience: Barbados and the OPEC Fund are pushing new climate financing initiatives, including a Vulnerability to Viability Compact, as leaders warn insurance gaps leave the island exposed to climate and economic shocks. Agriculture 2030: Minister Dr Shantal Munro-Knight unveiled a roughly $272m roadmap to reposition agriculture as national resilience—linking food security to environmental and economic development. Blue Economy & Sargassum: A Trinidad-based group is pitching sargassum as “blue gold,” proposing processing that turns beach-harvested seaweed into fertiliser and other products to support food security. Security + Climate Diplomacy: Canada and CARICOM, with Barbados involved, renewed an action plan focused on climate action and regional security and stability. Public Safety Note: Barbados also issued a weather update showing a mix of sunshine, clouds, and showers, with breezes and rising swells.

Disaster Response: Cornwall-based ShelterBox says trained volunteers are ready to “drop everything” to support Venezuela after the June 24 double earthquake, with reports of at least 1,450 deaths and severe damage. Local Climate & Resilience: Barbados and the UK held talks in London on security and climate, including faster action on methane and other super-pollutants. Nuclear for Development: Barbados signed a five-year cooperation framework with the IAEA for technical work in health, agriculture, water management, energy and radiation safety. Clean Energy & Transport: Barbados Postal Service added another electric vehicle as part of a push to modernise into a logistics and digital services hub. Blue Economy & Food Security: A Trinidad group is pitching “sargassum-to-wealth” plans, turning beach seaweed into fertiliser and compost to support agriculture. Water Access: A global map highlights where safe drinking water is still out of reach, underscoring the infrastructure gap. Digital Skills: OECS recognised 172 scholarship recipients in advanced digital training, aimed at building sustainable tech capacity across the region. Weather: Barbados forecasts partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with scattered light showers, plus a tropical wave approaching tonight.