AGP Executive Report

Tourism & Partnerships: Montserrat’s Tourism Authority says it’s building momentum after a strong showing at SMART 2026 in St. Maarten, with 35 business meetings booked and wider regional reach for the island. Community & Arts Wellbeing: MOPPA UK’s “Wisdom Groove” returns at the Annual Family Fun Day, pairing a live DJ and gentle movement with support from Moving Waves and Bank of Montserrat Ltd. Local Recognition: Six Montserrat centenarians were honoured at the Brades Arts and Education Centre, celebrating long lives and community contributions. Regional Tourism Strategy: OECS is pushing community-based tourism as a growth engine, training member states to help locals become primary beneficiaries of tourism. Maritime & Governance: Montserrat’s Harbourmaster and Jersey’s maritime compliance lead took part in the Red Ensign Group conference in Hamilton, focusing on future fuels, security, and raising standards. Vatican Leadership: Pope Leo XIV appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli to lead the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, continuing a push for women in top Vatican roles. Arts & Entertainment: Disney+ has ordered a live-action pilot for “The Last Kids on Earth,” bringing the monster-filled animated hit into a new format.

Tourism & Partnerships: Montserrat’s Tourism Authority says its SMART 2026 push paid off, reporting record participation and 35 business meetings with partners across the region and beyond. Community Wellbeing: MOPPA UK launches “Wisdom Groove” at its Annual Family Fun Day, pairing a live DJ and gentle movement sessions for senior citizens with support from Bank of Montserrat and Moving Waves. Senior Citizens Spotlight: Six Montserrat centenarians were honoured at the Brades Arts and Education Centre, with tributes celebrating decades of service and island legacy. Maritime & Safety: A special feature revisits the 1970 MV Christena inquiry, highlighting how the report reshaped maritime safety across the Eastern Caribbean. Regional Tourism Strategy: OECS is doubling down on community-based tourism, training member states to turn local culture and creative enterprise into real growth. Vatican Leadership: Pope Leo XIV appoints Sister Alessandra Smerilli to lead the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, continuing a wider shift toward women in top Vatican roles.

Montserrat Community & Culture: Montserrat honoured six living centenarians at the Brades Arts and Education Centre on June 29, celebrating island legacies from long-time seamstress and church leader service to fishing, sailing, and craftsmanship. Regional Tourism (OECS): OECS is pushing community-based tourism as a growth engine, holding a Saint Lucia workshop (June 9–11) to help member states turn plans into action so local communities become the main beneficiaries. Arts & Music (Barcelona): CASA CUPRA Raval kicks off July with the Raval Music Sessions, featuring Maria Arnal and Erik Urano in a city-energy music series. Fashion & Courts (Spain): Mango founder Isak Andic’s death investigation adds new claims as his partner testifies about a planned will that could have reduced children’s inheritance. Travel & Mobility: India’s passport ranking is explained through the Henley Passport Index, highlighting visa-free access limits for major destinations like the US, UK, and much of Europe. Vatican Leadership: Pope Leo XIV appointed Italian Sister Alessandra Smerilli to lead the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, continuing a push to elevate women into top Vatican roles.

Arts & Music: CASA CUPRA Raval kicks off July with the RAVAL MUSIC SESSIONS, starting July 2 at 7pm with experimental rap/electronic artist Erik Urano (album Stalker, plus an interview by Frankie Pizá), followed July 9 at 7:30pm by Maria Arnal, blending voice research with pop, electronics, and performance. Regional Tourism: OECS officials met in Saint Lucia (June 9–11) to strengthen community-based tourism, training Member States to turn local communities into the “architects and beneficiaries” of tourism, supported by the EU’s 11th EDF RIGHT programme. Montserrat Community Spotlight: Montserrat honours six living centenarians at the Brades Arts and Education Centre (June 29), celebrating lives and legacies from fishing and seamstress work to church leadership. Local Festival Calendar: The Montserrat Arts Council released the 2026 Calabash Festival programme (July 18–26), themed “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” with tours, craft, youth events, and major market and food-fair days. STEM for Youth: ECCB announces its free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6, targeting ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, with tech and leadership training.

Health & Wellbeing: A Spain-based study on IgE-mediated food allergy finds women report worse food-allergy quality of life than men, with the poorest scores among people with multiple food allergies and those with past severe reactions. Vatican Leadership: Pope Leo XIV appoints Italian Salesian nun Sister Alessandra Smerilli as prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, with Cardinal Fabio Baggio as pro-prefect, as part of wider curia changes that also include a new secretary for the Dicastery for the Service of Charity. Montserrat & Regional Maritime: A Caribbean historical feature revisits the 1970 MV Christena inquiry, highlighting how its recommendations reshaped maritime safety across the Eastern Caribbean. Local Community & Culture: Montserrat’s Calabash Festival 2026 calendar is out, with nine days of events running July 18–26 under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life.” STEM for Youth: The ECCB announces a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, including Montserrat.

EV Travel & Infrastructure: A new gridX report says Europe now has 1.2 million public EV charging points across 32 countries, with fast and ultra-fast growth helping EV road trips feel less like logistics and more like part of the journey. Vatican Appointments: Pope Leo XIV named Italian Sister Alessandra Smerilli to lead the Vatican’s integral human development office, continuing a push for women in top roles, alongside major curia reshuffles. Montserrat Community & Culture: Montserrat’s Calabash Festival calendar is out for July 18–26, with nine days of music, food, art, and community events. Maritime Safety Focus: A special feature revisits the 1970 MV Christena inquiry, highlighting how its findings shaped Eastern Caribbean maritime safety for decades. Regional Preparedness: UWI’s Seismic Research Centre urges calm but readiness after major Venezuela earthquakes, noting the Caribbean plate is affected while direct links between events remain unclear. Public Service Week: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week 2026 with calls for more efficient, accountable, people-centered service. STEM for Youth: ECCB announces a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for students across ECCU territories, including Montserrat.

Vatican Leadership: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Italian Sister Alessandra Smerilli as prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, with Cardinal Fabio Baggio named pro-prefect—continuing a push to put more women in top Vatican roles. Church Policy: A new Vatican ruling blocks laypeople, including women, from preaching the homily at Mass, even as the Pope’s broader stance on women’s visibility in the Church keeps evolving. Montserrat Spotlight: Montserrat’s Office of the Premier honoured six living centenarians (ages 101–109) at the Brades Arts and Education Centre, celebrating their “legacies” and community contributions. Arts & Culture: The Montserrat Arts Council released the 2026 Calabash Festival calendar—nine days from July 18–26 under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” with events spanning tours, craft, youth showcases, and major market-and-food days. STEM for Youth: The ECCB announced its free 2026 STEM Camp (July 6, four weeks) for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, including Montserrat, focused on tech skills and innovation. Global Pop Culture: Disney+ ordered a live-action pilot for “The Last Kids on Earth,” bringing the monster-filled teen adventure to a new format.

Maritime & Local Industry: More than 70 delegates at the 37th Red Ensign Group conference in Hamilton are pushing for solutions on shipping strategy, future fuels and security—Montserrat’s Harbourmaster Joseph O’Garro is among those weighing fleet performance and regulatory priorities. Community & Longevity: The Office of the Premier honoured six Montserrat centenarians at the Brades Arts and Education Centre, celebrating Charles Richard Lee (101), Eliza Wilhelmina “Miss Liz” Johnson (101), George Yearwood (103), Florence Malone (104), Mary Dorothy “Nenen” Allen (106) and Sarah Piper (109). Vatican Appointments: Pope Leo XIV named Salesian Sister Alessandra Smerilli as prefect of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, and appointed Father Lucio Ruiz as Secretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity. STEM for Youth: ECCB will run a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, including Montserrat, focused on tech skills and leadership. Festival Calendar: Montserrat Arts Council released the 2026 Calabash Festival lineup for July 18–26, themed “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life.”

Montserrat Arts & Culture: Calabash Festival 2026 is set for July 18–26 with a “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life” theme, kicking off with a Sea Scape Coastline Tour and kayaking at Little Bay, then rolling through Worn Crossroads, church-and-beach festivities, Sip N’ Craft, teen art and talent showcases, and a big Market Day and Grand Food Fair on July 24. STEM for Youth: The ECCB’s free 2026 STEM Camp runs July 6 for four weeks, targeting ages 14–18 across ECCU territories including Montserrat, with training in AI (Python), user experience, design thinking, and leadership skills. Local Spotlight: Montserrat is being pitched as a safe, uncrowded Caribbean escape—complete with guided access to the Soufrière Hills “modern-day Pompeii” in Plymouth. Regional Preparedness: UWI’s Seismic Research Centre urges calm but readiness after major Venezuela earthquakes, noting disruption across the Caribbean Plate and stressing preparedness in an active seismic zone. Sports & Identity: Kirani James will appear on the EC$5 banknote in a redesigned Eastern Caribbean currency series launching in 2027.

Montserrat Arts & Culture: The Montserrat Arts Council has released the 2026 Calabash Festival calendar, with nine days of events running July 18–26 under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” including tours, church service, beach parties, Sip N’ Craft, teen art and talent showcases, and a big Market Day and Grand Food Fair on July 24. STEM for Youth: The ECCB is set to launch its 2026 STEM Camp on July 6, a free four-week programme for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories (including Montserrat), aimed at turning young people into tech creators through AI, Python, design thinking, and leadership training. Community Health: Basil Chambers is hosting a Basil Chambers HD Birthday Men’s Health Fair on July 3 in Brades, offering free screenings and prostate assessments to encourage preventative care for men. Regional Preparedness: UWI’s Seismic Research Centre urged calm after major Venezuela earthquakes, saying there’s no direct link between events but stressing continued readiness across the region’s active seismic zone.

Earthquake Preparedness: UWI’s Seismic Research Centre urged calm but readiness after major quakes in Venezuela and another tremor between Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, noting the region’s active seismic zone and that there’s no direct link between separate events. Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council released the nine-day programme (July 18–26) under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” with tours, church service, beach parties, teen events, and a big Market Day and Food Fair. STEM for Montserrat Youth: ECCB announced its free 2026 STEM Camp (July 6, four weeks) for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to turn young people into tech creators with AI and design-thinking skills. Opera & Music Releases: New CD/DVD drops spotlight Teatro alla Scala productions and star vocalists, plus a jazz-leaning “Barcarolle” single featuring Sondra Radvanovsky. Men’s Health & Community: Basil Chambers marks 60 with a free Men’s Health Fair on July 3 in Brades, including prostate checks and screenings to support Meals on Wheels. Currency Spotlight: Kirani James is set to appear on the EC$5 banknote in a 2027 redesign, celebrating regional sporting excellence.

Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council has released the full nine-day calendar for July 18–26 under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” kicking off with a Little Bay Sea Scape Coastline Tour and Worn Crossroads, then rolling through events like Calasplash, Sip N’ Craft, teen art and talent showcases, and a big Market Day and Grand Food Fair on July 24. STEM for Youth: The ECCB will run a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to turn young people into tech creators with training in areas like AI, cybersecurity, design thinking, and collaboration. Public Service Week 2026: Saint Lucia marked June 21–26 with a push for more efficient, accountable, people-centered public service, with Minister Stephenson King urging innovation and stronger collaboration. Opera on CD/DVD: New releases from Teatro alla Scala include Lucia di Lammermoor and La forza del destino, plus a jazz-leaning Barcarolle single featuring Sondra Radvanovsky. Community Health: Broadcaster Basil Chambers turns 60 by hosting a Men’s Health Fair on July 3 in Brades, offering free screenings and prostate checks to encourage preventative care.

Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council has released the full calendar for nine days of culture, cuisine and community, running July 18–26, with events ranging from Sea Scape Coastline tours and Worn Crossroads to Sip N’ Craft, teen showcases, and a big Market Day and Grand Food Fair on July 24. STEM for Montserrat youth: The ECCB’s free 2026 STEM Camp is set to run July 6 for four weeks, targeting ages 14–18 across ECCU territories including Montserrat, with training aimed at turning young people into tech creators and innovators. Public Service Week 2026: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week (June 21–26) with a push for more efficient, accountable, people-centred service delivery—an arts-adjacent reminder that better public systems support better public life. Men’s health in Montserrat: Broadcaster Basil Chambers turns 60 by hosting a free Men’s Health Fair on July 3 (9am–4pm) in Brades, with prostate checks and general screenings. Opera releases: New CD/DVD drops from Teatro alla Scala include Lucia di Lammermoor and La forza del destino, plus a jazz-leaning Barcarolle single. Regional spotlight: Kirani James is set to appear on the EC$5 banknote redesign entering circulation in 2027.

Public Service Week 2026: Saint Lucia marks June 21–26 with a push for “efficiency, accountability, professionalism” and people-centred service delivery, as Minister Stephenson King calls for innovation and stronger collaboration across the public service. World Cup Spotlight: A fresh look at Mauricio Pochettino’s impact on Team USA frames the tournament as a national rallying point built on belief. Arts & Culture Calendar: Montserrat’s Calabash Festival 2026 is set for July 18–26 under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” with events spanning tours, craft, teen showcases, and major market-and-food days. STEM for Youth: The ECCB announces a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to turn young people into tech creators using AI and design thinking. Community Health: Basil Chambers’ 60th birthday becomes a men’s health push with a free fair on July 3 in Brades, featuring screenings and prostate checks. Regional Currency & Pride: Kirani James is confirmed for the EC$5 banknote redesign, with new notes expected to enter circulation in 2027. Opera Releases: New CD/DVD drops from Teatro alla Scala highlight stars including Anna Netrebko, Lisette Oropesa, and Juan Diego Flórez.

Arts & Culture: A new exhibition on critical raw materials opens to the public, linking geology, industry, and modern tech needs as demand for key minerals surges. Festival Calendar: Montserrat’s Calabash Festival 2026 is set for July 18–26, with a nine-day run of culture, cuisine, and community events from Sea Scape tours to Market Day highlights. STEM & Youth: The ECCB announces a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, aiming to turn young people into tech creators using skills like AI and design thinking. Regional Arts/Opera: New CD/DVD releases spotlight major opera recordings from Teatro alla Scala, featuring stars like Anna Netrebko and Lisette Oropesa. Community Health: Basil Chambers marks 60 with a Men’s Health Fair on July 3, offering free screenings and prostate checks to boost preventative care. Regional Governance: OECS leaders agree to raise the retirement age for judges of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court from 65 to 70. Sports & Identity: Kirani James will appear on the EC$5 banknote in a 2027 currency redesign, replacing Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait with regional figures.

Calabash Festival 2026: The Montserrat Arts Council has released the full nine-day calendar (July 18–26) under “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life,” with tours, beach events, craft and food highlights, teen showcases, and a big Market Day and Grand Food Fair on July 24. STEM for Montserrat youth: The ECCB’s free 2026 STEM Camp runs July 6 for four weeks, targeting ages 14–18 across ECCU territories, with tech and leadership training tied to the region’s digital transformation push. Kirani James on EC$5: Grenadian sprint star Kirani James will appear on the redesigned Eastern Caribbean Currency Union banknote, with the first series expected to roll out in 2027. Men’s health in Montserrat: Basil Chambers turns 60 by hosting a free Men’s Health Fair on July 3 (Brades), offering prostate checks and general screenings to help boost preventative care. Arts & opera releases: New CD/DVD highlights include Teatro alla Scala productions featuring stars like Anna Netrebko, Lisette Oropesa, and Juan Diego Flórez. Earth, Wind & Fire legacy: A new HBO documentary revisits the band’s internal money and credit tensions that ultimately tore them apart, including their 1980 Montserrat recording period. Local investigation update: In the Mango founder case involving a fatal fall in Montserrat, investigators say phone data suggests no movement at the moment of the plunge, adding pressure to the ongoing inquiry.