AGP Executive Report

Reggae Therapy Festival: Martinique turned up the volume as the fourth annual Reggae Therapy Festival drew more than 20,000 fans to Louis-Achille Stadium in Fort-de-France on July 11–12, with headliners including Julian Marley and Barrington Levy, plus Alborosie and Tarrus Riley. CARICOM Tax Push: CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett urged Caribbean governments to build stronger, technology-driven tax systems at the 27th COTA General Assembly in Georgetown, noting Martinique and French Guiana’s admission as associate members and the need for future-ready revenue. Africa–Caribbean Links: The OECS appointed Aisha Maina as Strategic Advisor for Africa–Caribbean cooperation, aiming to boost trade, investment and cultural ties. Sports Travel: Sky High Dominicana says it will fly more than 1,435 athletes and delegations from Guadeloupe, Martinique and Cuba to Santo Domingo 2026. Water Crisis: Guadeloupe and Martinique are facing an unprecedented water crisis, with drought restrictions and pollution closures disrupting daily life and sanitation.

Reggae Therapy Festival: Martinique turned up the volume as its fourth annual Reggae Therapy Festival drew 20,000+ fans to Louis-Achille Stadium in Fort-de-France, with headliners including Julian Marley and Barrington Levy and support from the Martinique Tourism Authority. Regional Tax Push: CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett urged Caribbean governments to build stronger, technology-driven tax systems at the 27th COTA General Assembly in Georgetown, linking smarter revenue to regional priorities like deeper integration and climate resilience. Africa-Caribbean Links: The OECS Commission appointed Aisha Maina as Strategic Advisor for Africa-Caribbean cooperation, aiming to boost transatlantic trade, investment, and cultural ties. Martinique Sports Travel: Sky High Dominicana said it will move more than 1,435 athletes and sports delegations from Guadeloupe and Martinique to Santo Domingo 2026. Water Crisis: Guadeloupe and Martinique face an unprecedented water crisis, with drought forcing strict rationing and even beach closures due to pollution. Local Culture & Identity: A Martinique-linked theme also surfaced in Jamaica’s “Inner City Dub,” which featured Frantz Fanon—highlighting the ongoing influence of the French-Martinique revolutionary. Cost-of-Living Relief (Grenada): Grenada announced an EC$18 million package to cushion households and businesses from imported food and energy inflation, including VAT relief on electricity and fuel price caps.

Water Crisis: Guadeloupe and Martinique are facing an unprecedented drought this summer, with drinking-water supplies hit hard, strict rationing in place, and sanitation problems adding pressure as some coastal swimming areas close due to pollution. Tourism & Culture: Martinique’s Reggae Therapy Festival wrapped up in Fort-de-France with more than 20,000 fans at Louis-Achille Stadium over two days, featuring Julian Marley, Barrington Levy and other regional and international acts, with support from the Martinique Tourism Authority. Regional Sports: Concacaf Nations League draw set Martinique in League A Group B alongside Honduras, Jamaica, Guatemala, Suriname and El Salvador, with matches scheduled across the September-October and November 2026 windows. Cost of Living (Regional): Grenada announced an EC$18 million Cost of Living Assistance Programme, including VAT relief on electricity and fuel price caps, aimed at easing imported inflation for more than 38,000 households. Environment (Regional): Flow partnered with Grenada Green Group to install plastic recycling bins in secondary schools, targeting reduced plastic waste and less strain on the Perseverance dump site.

Rum Tourism: Distillery tours are booming across the Caribbean, with travellers increasingly booking trips for tastings and cane-to-bottle experiences—highlighting Martinique’s own distillery tasting offering. Culture & Community: Martinique’s Reggae Therapy Festival wrapped up in Fort-de-France with 20,000+ fans at Louis-Achille Stadium, featuring Julian Marley, Barrington Levy, Alborosie and Tarrus Riley, and backed by the Martinique Tourism Authority. Football (Concacaf): The Concacaf Nations League draw sets Martinique in Group B alongside Honduras, Jamaica, Guatemala, Suriname and El Salvador, with matches scheduled for September-October 2026. Water Crisis: Guadeloupe and Martinique are facing an unprecedented water crisis, with drought-driven restrictions and pollution closures affecting daily life and sanitation. French Overseas Rights: France’s Defender of Rights Claire Hédon is leaving after a term marked by rising complaints from overseas territories, including Martinique, tied to access to water, healthcare and public services. Regional Policy: CARICOM tax administrators meet in Guyana this week for COTA’s 27th General Assembly on future-ready, data-driven tax systems.

Water Crisis: Guadeloupe and Martinique are facing an unprecedented drought-driven water crisis, with drinking supplies hit by restrictions and sanitation problems, while some coastal swimming areas have been closed due to pollution. Cost of Living Relief: Grenada rolled out an EC$18 million Cost of Living Assistance Programme aimed at easing imported inflation, including fuel price caps and a full VAT removal on electricity from August through December 2026. Reggae Therapy Festival: Martinique’s fourth annual Reggae Therapy Festival drew 20,000+ fans to Louis-Achille Stadium in Fort-de-France, featuring Julian Marley, Barrington Levy, Alborosie and more, with support from the Martinique Tourism Authority. Tourism Leadership Change (Region): Grenada’s Tourism Authority says CEO Stacey Liburd has concluded her tenure effective July 22, 2026. Football (Martinique in focus): Concacaf Nations League draw placed Martinique in League A Group B alongside Honduras, Jamaica, Guatemala, Suriname and El Salvador. Sports Travel: Sky High Dominicana will transport 1,435+ athletes from Guadeloupe, Martinique and Cuba to Santo Domingo 2026.

Martinique Culture & Tourism: The island turned up the volume as the fourth annual Reggae Therapy Festival drew 20,000+ fans to Louis-Achille Stadium in Fort-de-France, with headliners including Julian Marley and Barrington Levy, and support from the Martinique Tourism Authority. Regional Sports: Concacaf’s Nations League draw set up a tough run for Martinique, placed in League A Group B alongside Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia, and Barbados (with matches scheduled for Sept–Nov 2026). Water Crisis: Guadeloupe and Martinique are facing an unprecedented drought-driven water crisis, with strict rationing and even coastal swimming-area closures due to pollution. French Overseas Rights: France’s Defender of Rights chief Claire Hédon is leaving after a term marked by rising complaints from overseas territories, including Martinique, over access to services like healthcare and water. Public Safety & Justice: France’s justice ministry continues a nationwide review of sexual violence cases involving minors, with Martinique reporting hundreds of cases re-examined so far.

Water Crisis: Guadeloupe and Martinique are facing an unprecedented drought this summer, with drinking-water supplies hit hard and strict rationing in place; authorities have also closed some swimming areas in Guadeloupe due to coastal pollution, while Martinique’s drought alerts restrict domestic and agricultural use. Reggae Therapy Festival: Fort-de-France hosted the fourth annual Reggae Therapy Festival (July 11–12), drawing more than 20,000 fans to Louis-Achille Stadium, with headliners including Julian Marley and Barrington Levy and support from the Martinique Tourism Authority. Football—Nations League: Martinique has been drawn into Concacaf Nations League action, landing in League A Group B alongside Honduras, Jamaica, Guatemala, Suriname and El Salvador, with matches set for the September–October and November 2026 windows. Cost of Living Relief (Regional): Grenada announced an EC$18 million Cost of Living Assistance Programme, including VAT relief on electricity and fuel price caps, aimed at easing imported inflation pressures. Culture & Sports Travel: Sky High Dominicana says it will move more than 1,400 athletes from Guadeloupe and Martinique to Santo Domingo 2026 for the Central American and Caribbean Games.

Martinique Tourism & Culture: Fort-de-France’s Reggae Therapy Festival wrapped up with more than 20,000 fans at Louis-Achille Stadium, featuring Julian Marley, Barrington Levy, Alborosie and Tarrus Riley, with the Martinique Tourism Authority backing the growing two-day event. Regional Football: Martinique has been drawn into Group B of the 2026/27 Concacaf Nations League, alongside Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia and Barbados, with matches set for September to October 2026. Water Crisis: Guadeloupe and Martinique are facing an unprecedented water crisis, with drought forcing strict rationing and authorities closing some swimming areas due to coastal pollution. Cost of Living Pressure (Grenada): Grenada announced an EC$18 million Cost of Living Assistance Programme, including VAT removal on electricity from August to December 2026 and continued fuel price caps, aimed at easing imported inflation for 38,000+ households. Governance & Tourism (Grenada): Grenada Tourism Authority CEO Stacey Liburd has concluded her tenure effective July 22, amid reported board-management tensions.

Water Crisis: Guadeloupe and Martinique are facing an unprecedented water shortage, with drought restrictions on domestic and agricultural use and even beach closures in Guadeloupe due to coastal pollution. Cost of Living Relief: Grenada rolled out an EC$18 million Cost of Living Assistance Programme, including a temporary VAT removal on electricity from August to December 2026 and continued fuel price caps, aimed at easing imported inflation for more than 38,000 households. Sports & Identity: Martinique’s Reggae Therapy Festival wrapped up with over 20,000 fans at Louis-Achille Stadium, featuring Julian Marley, Barrington Levy, Alborosie and Tarrus Riley. Football Draw: Martinique has been placed in Concacaf Nations League Group B of League A, setting up September-November 2026 matches against Honduras, Jamaica, Guatemala, Suriname and El Salvador. Culture & Community: CARICOM tax administrators are set to meet in Guyana for COTA’s 27th General Assembly, with a focus on smarter, data-driven tax systems.

Concacaf Nations League Draw: Martinique’s men’s team has been placed in League A, Group B alongside Honduras, Jamaica, Guatemala, Suriname and El Salvador, with matches set for the September–October and November 2026 FIFA windows. Cultural Spotlight: Martinique’s Reggae Therapy Festival wrapped up July 12 at Louis-Achille Stadium in Fort-de-France, drawing more than 20,000 fans and featuring Julian Marley, Barrington Levy, Alborosie and Tarrus Riley. Regional Water Crisis: Guadeloupe and Martinique are facing an unprecedented water shortage, with drought restrictions on drinking water and limits on domestic and agricultural use, plus sanitation strain and some coastal pollution closures. Sports Travel Logistics: Sky High Dominicana says it will fly more than 1,435 athletes and sports delegations—including from Martinique—to Santo Domingo 2026 for the Central American and Caribbean Games. Caribbean Governance & Tax: CARICOM’s tax administrators meet in Guyana July 27–31 for the COTA General Assembly and Technical Conference, focused on future-ready, data-driven tax administration.

Sports & Regional Football: The CONCACAF Nations League draw is set for July 23, with Martinique listed among League A teams and the draw live on CONCACAF’s YouTube from 7 pm. Culture & Tourism: Martinique’s fourth Reggae Therapy Festival wrapped up July 12 at Louis-Achille Stadium, drawing over 20,000 fans and featuring Julian Marley, Barrington Levy, Alborosie and Tarrus Riley. Cost of Living Pressure: Grenada rolled out an EC$18 million Cost of Living Assistance Programme, including VAT-free electricity (Aug–Dec 2026) and VAT-free shopping days, aimed at easing imported inflation for more than 38,000 households. Water Crisis: Guadeloupe and Martinique are facing a summer water crisis, with drought restrictions and even some coastal swimming areas closed due to pollution. Regional Governance & Rights: France’s Defender of Rights chief Claire Hédon is leaving after a term marked by rising complaints in overseas territories, including Martinique, tied to access to services like healthcare and water.

Water Crisis: Guadeloupe and Martinique are facing an unprecedented drought, with strict drinking-water restrictions and even closed swimming areas due to coastal pollution. Culture & Tourism: Martinique’s fourth Reggae Therapy Festival wrapped up in Fort-de-France, drawing more than 20,000 fans and featuring Julian Marley, Barrington Levy, Alborosie and Tarrus Riley. Regional Governance: CARICOM tax experts meet in Georgetown, Guyana (27–31 July) for the 27th COTA General Assembly on “Future-Ready” tax administration, with a focus on smarter, data-driven and AI-enabled revenue systems. Sports Travel: Sky High Dominicana says it will fly more than 1,435 athletes and staff from Guadeloupe, Martinique and Cuba to Santo Domingo 2026. Local Spotlight: A 12-year-old swimmer, Christophe Maleau, made history by crossing from Saint Lucia to Martinique to raise breast cancer awareness. Cost of Living (Regional): Grenada announced an EC$18M package to cushion households and businesses, including VAT-free electricity measures and fuel price ceilings through December 2026.

Water Crisis: Guadeloupe and Martinique are facing an unprecedented water crisis, with drought forcing strict drinking-water rationing and restrictions on domestic and agricultural use, while sanitation problems and coastal pollution have even led to some beach closures. Regional Integration: Martinique has officially joined CARICOM as an associate member, effective 16 June 2026, following the French Republic’s instrument of accession—boosting ties between French-speaking and English-speaking islands. Legal & Rights: France’s Defender of Rights chief Claire Hédon is leaving after a term marked by rising complaints in overseas territories, including major concerns about access to water, healthcare, education and public services. Justice Review: A national review of sexual violence cases against minors is underway across French jurisdictions, with overseas territories involved and Martinique having processed 585 of 1,021 cases so far. Cost of Living: Grenada announced an EC$18 million targeted cost-of-living assistance programme to cushion imported food and energy price shocks, including electricity VAT relief and subsidies. Community & Safety: Canada’s CFLI funding is supporting Grenada projects, including community-based crime prevention and green livelihoods for youth and women. Maritime Safety: The Antigua and Barbuda Coast Guard continues searching for three fishermen missing at sea, with regional partners and MRCC Fort-de-France involved.

Water Crisis: Guadeloupe and Martinique are facing a double hit this summer as drought cripples drinking water supplies, triggers strict rationing, and leaves sanitation systems struggling—while coastal pollution has forced some swimming areas closed in Guadeloupe and drought alerts restrict both domestic and agricultural use in Martinique. CARICOM Move: Martinique has officially joined CARICOM as an associate member, effective 16 June 2026, after receiving the French Republic’s instrument of accession—boosting integration between French- and English-speaking Caribbean islands. Justice Update: France’s Defender of Rights chief Claire Hédon is stepping down after a term marked by rising complaints tied to access problems across overseas territories, including water, healthcare, education, and public services—Martinique among the affected areas. Regional Climate Watch: CariCOF warns El Niño plus warmer Caribbean seas could mean hotter, drier conditions in parts of the region, with a continued risk of flooding during the wet season. Community & Training: Rural agribusiness owners in St. Patrick are set to get new financial and legal training, building on earlier programmes that showed strong take-up of the tools taught.

CARICOM Integration: Martinique has officially joined CARICOM as an associate member, effective 16 June 2026, after France’s instrument of accession paved the way for the agreement’s entry into force—boosting ties between French- and English-speaking Caribbean islands. Justice & Rights: France’s Defender of Rights chief Claire Hédon is stepping down after a term marked by a surge in complaints from overseas territories, including Martinique, tied to access problems in water, healthcare, education and other public services. Sexual Violence Review: A nationwide justice review has re-examined nearly 70,000 cases of sexual violence against minors, with Martinique processing 585 of 1,021 cases so far. Local Economy & Skills: In St. Patrick, Grenada’s Rural Development Unit launched a training series for rural agribusiness owners focused on financial planning, cash flow, recordkeeping, and tax compliance. Tourism & Culture: A 59,721-banana donation from Guadeloupe and Martinique marked KM97 of the Tour de France, supporting Restos du Cœur in Gironde. Climate Watch: CariCOF warns El Niño plus warmer Caribbean seas could mean hotter conditions, drought in some areas, and a heightened risk of flooding during the 2026 wet season.

CARICOM Integration: Martinique has officially become a CARICOM associate member, effective 16 June 2026, after France provided the instrument of accession—boosting ties between French-speaking and English-speaking Caribbean islands. Regional Justice & Reparations: The CARICOM Reparations Commission is pushing a revised reparations manifesto to the UK and the UN, with Overseas Territories included in the lobbying drive. Rights Watch: Claire Hédon is leaving the Defender of Rights after a term marked by rising complaints and persistent access problems in France’s overseas territories, including Martinique. Justice Review: France’s justice ministry has re-examined tens of thousands of sexual violence cases involving minors, with Martinique reporting 585 of 1,021 cases reviewed so far. Health & Safety: A Caribbean-wide climate warning says El Niño is strengthening, bringing hotter conditions, drought risks in parts of the Lesser Antilles, and a continued risk of flooding during the 2026 wet season. Local Life & Culture: A 12-year-old swimmer, Christophe Maleau, made history by crossing from Saint Lucia to Martinique to raise breast cancer awareness.