AGP Executive Report

Community Safety in Schools: The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force is reintroducing the D.A.R.E. programme after an absence, bringing interactive safety education back into classrooms to help students make safer, responsible decisions. Climate & Women’s Empowerment: The Centre for Enterprise Development secured a US$125,000 OAS grant for the UOCCI project, targeting climate-change impacts on women and underserved communities through training, forums, and small grants. Crime Response Debate: Prime Minister Godwin Friday says a comprehensive response to the Green Hill shooting is underway, while Deputy PM and National Security Minister St. Clair Leacock says regional security help may be sought and police presence will increase around public gathering spots. Heart Health Walk: Over 200 Girl Guides marked World Heart Day with a “Heart & Sole” 5K walk and wellness activities focused on cardiovascular health. Church & Culture: The Antilles Episcopal Conference announced the passing of Archbishop Robert Rivas, O.P., with tributes highlighting his decades of Caribbean spiritual leadership. Diaspora & Calypso Legacy: Vincentian leaders and Caribbean communities paid tribute to calypso icon “The Mighty Sparrow,” whose death closes a major chapter in regional music history.

Community Safety in Schools: The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force is reintroducing the D.A.R.E. programme after an extended absence, bringing interactive safety education back into classrooms as part of wider community policing. Climate & Women’s Empowerment: The Centre for Enterprise Development secured a US$125,000 OAS grant for a climate-change project focused on women and underserved communities, with training, forums, and small grants for climate action. Violence Response & Public Debate: Prime Minister Godwin Friday outlined a comprehensive response to the Green Hill shooting that left four dead and four injured, while Deputy PM St. Clair Leacock said regional security help may be sought and police presence will increase around schools and busy public areas. Heart Health Walk: Over 200 Girl Guides marked World Heart Day with a “Heart & Sole” 5K walk and wellness activities to boost awareness of cardiovascular health. Church & Leadership: The Antilles Episcopal Conference announced the death of Archbishop Robert Rivas, O.P., lauding his decades of pastoral work across the Caribbean. Culture & Legacy: Tributes continued for calypso icon Mighty Sparrow, with Vincentian leadership and the wider Caribbean diaspora remembering his role as a storyteller and social conscience. Youth, Agriculture & Food Security: St. Vincent Girls’ High School won CARICOM’s “I Am Agriculture” youth video competition, reinforcing the push to attract more young people—especially girls—into agriculture. Hydration for Students: GECCU and the Ministry of Health launched a nationwide school hydration drive, aiming to supply water bottles to students across 30+ schools. Digital Mental Wellness in Faith: Vincentian pastor Elsworth Neale earned a second doctorate and developed MindRenew, a faith-informed digital platform supporting churches and people dealing with emotional and mental wellness. Sports & Regional Pride: St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ presence in regional sport stayed in focus, from youth agriculture wins to broader Caribbean cultural and community momentum.

Youth & Innovation in Agriculture: Caribbean Week of Agriculture opened in Jamaica with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica and Jamaica taking top honours, while St. Vincent Girls’ High School won the CARICOM “I Am Agriculture” youth video competition—spotlighting food security and new opportunities for young women. Expo Update for Local Creatives: Invest SVG says Everything Vincy Expo Plus 2026 is paused as organizers restructure for a bigger return in 2027, keeping the focus on Vincentian enterprise, creativity, culture and heritage. Community Health & Climate Reality: GECCU and the Ministry of Health launched a nationwide School Hydration Drive, aiming to supply water bottles to students across 30+ schools as heat pressures rise. Culture Loss: Regional leaders paid tribute to calypso icon Mighty Sparrow, with Prime Minister Godwin Friday and the Caribbean diaspora remembering his impact on Caribbean identity. Public Safety & Mental Health: RSVGPF held a symposium on suicide prevention and mental health for law enforcement, while opposition and officials continued to debate the country’s escalating gun violence and how to respond. Regional Diplomacy & Heritage: PM Friday reaffirmed multilateralism in his UN General Assembly address, and SVG strengthened ties with Venezuela and Honduras through cultural and diplomatic engagement.

Youth & Food Security: St. Vincent Girls’ High School won the CARICOM “I Am Agriculture” youth video competition, with students using one-minute clips to spotlight agriculture’s role in community life, sustainability, and food security. Public Safety & Mental Health: The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force held a symposium on suicide prevention and mental health for officers, stressing that protecting protectors means protecting wellbeing. Crime & Community Alarm: Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves called SVG’s gun violence a “nightmare,” pointing to the Green Hill shooting and urging a stronger, coherent security response. Mental Health in the Spotlight: Law enforcement is also being urged to seek help without shame, following the symposium’s push to treat emotional strain as part of public safety. Regional Cooperation: OECS services-sector stakeholders across member states received specialised training to strengthen trade policy and negotiation capacity. Culture & Heritage: Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday led tributes to calypso icon “Mighty Sparrow,” while Caribbean diaspora groups also marked his legacy. Diaspora Leadership: Stephen “Scombo” John was appointed Ambassador-at-Large for Diaspora Affairs. Climate Justice at the UN: In his maiden UN General Assembly address, PM Friday renewed calls for UN reform, climate finance overhaul, and reparatory justice. Health & Daily Life: GECCU and the Ministry of Health launched a nationwide school hydration drive to support students during extreme heat. Sports & Opportunity: NCL GT20 Canada will be staged in SVG next month, aiming to deepen cricket links between Canada and the West Indies.

UN & Diplomacy: Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday used his maiden UN General Assembly address to call for a “broken” multilateral system to be fixed—pushing UN Security Council reform, climate finance overhaul, reparatory justice, and support for a woman to lead the UN, while also reaffirming commitment to multilateralism. Diaspora & Culture: Vincentians in North America and the Caribbean diaspora paid tribute to calypso icon Mighty Sparrow after his death, while Stephen “Scombo” John was appointed Ambassador-at-Large for Diaspora Affairs. Regional Ties: SVG and Venezuela reaffirmed historic friendship in New York, and PM Friday met Honduras’ president to highlight shared Garifuna heritage. Education & Inclusion: GECCU partnered with the Ministry of Health for a nationwide school hydration drive, and SVG marked International Day of Sign Languages with a renewed push for deaf rights as fundamental human rights. Community & Lifestyle: Sandals Foundation helped drive International Coastal Cleanup Day with a large volunteer turnout across the region, including SVG. Sports & Youth: West St George Secondary School celebrated 22 years, and SVG is set to host the NCL GT20 Canada cricket tournament next month. Public Safety: Opposition leaders condemned rising gun violence after a deadly Green Hill shooting, warning of worsening homicide trends.

Calypso Legacy: Prime Minister Godwin Friday joined regional leaders in mourning Mighty Sparrow, praising the calypso icon’s impact on Caribbean culture and Carnival. Health & School Life: GECCU teamed up with the Ministry of Health for a Nationwide School Hydration Drive, aiming to supply water bottles to students across 30+ schools amid extreme heat. UN & Climate Justice: In his maiden UN General Assembly address, Friday called for reforming the multilateral system, stronger UN Security Council representation, better climate financing for small island states, and reparatory justice. Diaspora Leadership: Stephen “Scombo” John was appointed Ambassador-at-Large for Diaspora Affairs, with a focus on strengthening Vincentian community ties abroad. Regional Diplomacy: Venezuela and SVG reaffirmed historic friendship in New York, while Friday also met Honduras’ President to spotlight shared Garifuna heritage. Tourism & Women in Leadership: SVGTA CEO Shafia London was selected for the International Women’s Forum Leadership Fellows Programme. Culture in the Community: West St George Secondary School marked 22 years with a thanksgiving service celebrating its past and legacy. Environment & Stewardship: Sandals Foundation helped rally 700+ volunteers across the region for International Coastal Cleanup Day, including participation from SVG.

UN Spotlight: St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ PM Godwin Friday used his first UN General Assembly address to push UN Security Council reform, climate justice, reparatory justice, and an end to the US embargo on Cuba, arguing small states are still paying the price for a system built for 1945. Culture & Heritage: Friday also met Honduras’ President Nasry Juan Asfura Zablah in New York, highlighting shared Garifuna heritage and reaffirming SVG as the Garifuna ancestral homeland. Inclusion: SVG marked the International Day of Sign Languages with a renewed push for deaf rights as fundamental human rights, pointing to local schools and support for students preparing for CSEC exams. Community Safety: Acting PM and National Security Minister St. Clair Leacock warned students to avoid criminal activity, stressing discipline if they’re caught. Local Media: Searchlight newspaper’s final print run signals a shift to digital-only, ending a 31-year print era. Sports & Youth: NCL GT20 Canada is set to stage its 2026 tournament in SVG, aiming to strengthen cricket pathways and ties between Canada and the West Indies. Tech & Agriculture: Taiwan’s mission invited tenders for IoT equipment, while a separate report notes Taiwan breeding pig and boar semen imports reaching SVG-linked markets.

UN Diplomacy & Climate Justice: Prime Minister Godwin Friday’s maiden UN General Assembly address pushed for UN reform (including Security Council changes), climate finance overhaul, reparatory justice, and an end to the US embargo on Cuba. Youth Safety & Community Life: Acting PM St. Clair Leacock mourned four young victims of a Green Hill shooting and renewed warnings that students must stay clear of crime. Disability Inclusion: SVG marked the International Day of Sign Languages with a clear message that deaf rights are fundamental, highlighting support schools and plans for CSEC access. Local Education Support: MRI6 and the Ministry of Education backed 27 schools with targeted cash for teaching and learning materials. Sports & Regional Pride: NCL GT20 Canada will stage its 2026 tournament in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, aiming to strengthen cricket pathways between Canada and the West Indies. Culture & Media: The Searchlight newspaper’s final print run signals a shift to digital, marking the end of a 31-year newsroom era. Heritage & Regional Ties: SVG and Honduras leaders met in New York to spotlight shared Garifuna heritage.

UN Diplomacy & Climate Justice: Prime Minister Godwin Friday, in his first UN General Assembly address, urged reform of global governance, UN Security Council changes, stronger climate financing for small island states, and reparatory justice. Youth & Safety: Acting PM and National Security Minister St. Clair Leacock condemned youth crime after a Green Hill shooting that left four dead and warned students to desist or face consequences. Inclusion for Deaf People: SVG marked International Day of Sign Languages with a rights-focused message and support for hearing-impaired students preparing for 2027 CPEA exams. Education Support: MRI6 and the Ministry of Education partnered to fund 27 schools with targeted cash for teaching and learning materials. Digital Opportunities: YouthLink SVG launched to centralize jobs, scholarships, internships, training, grants, and events for young people. Culture & Heritage Ties: Friday met Honduras’ President in New York, highlighting shared Garifuna heritage and community connections. Environment & Resilience: We Are Mayreau reported six months of ridge-to-reef work, including coral nursery expansion and a regional coral genetics transfer. Regional Tech Policy: SVG’s Minister Phillip Jackson joined CTU ICT Week discussions on AI governance and digital inclusion.

Youth & Safety: Acting PM St. Clair Leacock offered condolences after four young people were gunned down in Green Hill, while also reiterating a tough line on youth discipline after recent street-violence concerns. UN & Culture of Governance: Prime Minister Godwin Friday’s maiden UN General Assembly address pushed for UN Security Council reform, climate finance overhaul, and reparatory justice—framing it as restoring trust in global institutions. Garifuna Heritage: Friday met Honduras President Nasry Juan Asfura Zablah, spotlighting shared Garifuna roots and reaffirming cultural ties between the two nations. Inclusion & Rights: SVG marked International Day of Sign Languages with a clear message: deaf rights are human rights, not favors—alongside support for students preparing for CPEA exams. Education & Opportunity: A new YouthLink SVG platform is connecting young people to jobs, scholarships, internships, and training in one place, while MRI6 and the Education Ministry backed 27 schools with targeted funding. Environment & Heritage: We Are Mayreau reported steady ridge-to-reef progress, including coral gene banking and climate-smart agriculture work.

UN Spotlight: PM Godwin Friday’s maiden UN General Assembly address pushed for UN reform, climate justice, and reparatory justice, including Security Council changes and stronger representation. Shared Heritage: Friday also met Honduras President Nasry Juan Asfura Zablah, spotlighting Garifuna roots and strengthening SVG–Honduras cultural ties. Rights & Inclusion: SVG marked International Day of Sign Languages with a clear message that deaf people’s rights are fundamental, not charity. Education & Youth: Government warned students against street fighting and criminal behaviour, with police action promised. Culture & Media: The Searchlight newspaper’s final print run sparked reflections on the shift to digital news and what it means for local storytelling. Resilience & Environment: We Are Mayreau reported steady ridge-to-reef progress, including coral gene banking and climate-smart farming support. Opportunities for Young People: YouthLink SVG launched to centralize jobs, scholarships, internships, and training for Vincentian youth. Tourism Leadership: SVGTA CEO Shafia London was selected for the International Women’s Forum Leadership Fellows Program.

Garifuna Heritage & Diplomacy: Prime Minister Godwin Friday met Honduras President Nasry Juan Asfura Zablah at the UN, spotlighting shared Garifuna roots and reaffirming SVG–Honduras friendship. Disability Rights & Inclusion: SVG marked International Day of Sign Languages with a clear message: deaf people’s rights are fundamental, not favors, alongside support for students preparing for CPEA exams. Digital & Telecom Leadership: Minister Phillip Jackson was elected Vice-President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) Council of Ministers during CTU ICT Week in French Guiana. Climate, Statehood & Resilience: At UN forums, Friday urged partners to turn SIDS vulnerability into investable, resilient futures, while a UN declaration backed “continued statehood” for nations threatened by rising seas. Education, Youth & Safety: Acting PM and National Security Minister St. Clair Leacock warned students against street violence and criminal activity, promising firm police action. Culture & Community: Preparations began for SVG’s 47th Independence celebrations, with the National Independence Parade set for Oct. 27 at Arnos Vale. Local Progress: We Are Mayreau reported steady ridge-to-reef work, including coral restoration and climate-smart agriculture.

Print Media Loss: Searchlight newspaper in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is ending its final printed run after 31 years, shifting fully digital—an emotional goodbye for longtime newsroom staff. Climate & Culture Resilience: We Are Mayreau marks six months of ridge-to-reef work, rebuilding coral nurseries and climate-smart farming, including a rare cross-country coral genetics transfer. UN Diplomacy & Heritage: PM Godwin Friday highlights SIDS investment and resilience at the UN, while SVG and Honduras spotlight shared Garifuna roots. Rising Seas Rights: A UN declaration backs “continued statehood” for countries threatened by sea-level rise, protecting sovereignty and UN membership. Youth, Schools & Safety: Acting PM St. Clair Leacock warns students against street fighting and crime, saying police will be involved and discipline will follow. Opportunities for Young People: A new YouthLink SVG platform is launched to centralize jobs, scholarships, internships, and training. Health & Inclusion: SVG marks World Alzheimer’s Day with early diagnosis focus, plus community activities and support for families. Language Rights: SVG observes International Day of Sign Languages, stressing deaf people’s human rights. Independence Build-Up: Planning begins for the 47th Independence celebrations, including the National Independence Parade on Oct. 27.

Youth & Safety: Acting Prime Minister and National Security Minister St. Clair Leacock warned students to stop criminal activity after arrests tied to firearms, burglaries and assaults, saying street violence will bring swift police action. Education Support: MRI6 and the Ministry of Education partnered to give 27 schools targeted financial help for teaching materials and student support. Dementia Awareness: St. Vincent and the Grenadines marked World Alzheimer’s Day with a push for early diagnosis, plus community health activities, patient transport, and a children’s reading session. Accessibility & Inclusion: The country observed International Day of Sign Languages, with officials stressing deaf people’s rights and noting two hearing-impaired children preparing for 2027 CPEA exams. Digital Opportunities: A new YouthLink SVG platform was launched to help young people find jobs, scholarships, internships and training in one place. Tourism Leadership: SVGTA CEO Shafia London was selected for the International Women’s Forum Leadership Fellows Program. Independence Culture: Preparations began for the 47th Independence anniversary, including a national parade on Oct. 27.

Chess Olympiad: Guyana’s women fell 3–1 to Laos, but the Open team bounced back 3–1 over Togo as SVG’s name stayed in the results mix ahead of Mali and Nigeria clashes. Food security & culture: Antigua received St Vincent tissue-cultured pineapple plantlets, a tissue-culture boost meant to revive the iconic fruit fast across the OECS. Health & community care: St Vincent and the Grenadines marked World Alzheimer’s Day with a push for early diagnosis, plus a community health fair, patient transport, MOVE grooming sessions, and a children’s reading event. Education support: MRI6 and the Ministry partnered to fund 27 schools with targeted cash for teaching materials and student needs. Accessibility day: SVG observed International Day of Sign Languages, stressing deaf people’s rights and noting two children preparing for 2027 CPEA exams. Youth opportunities: A new YouthLink SVG platform launched to centralize jobs, scholarships, internships, training, grants, and events for young people. Tourism leadership: SVGTA CEO Shafia London was selected for the International Women’s Forum Leadership Fellows Program. Independence culture: Preparations began for the 47th Independence celebrations, including the National Independence Parade on Oct 27 at Arnos Vale. Youth discipline: Acting PM St Clair Leacock warned students against street fights and said police will be directed to act. Diaspora & investment: Government urged Vincies abroad to move from remittances to structured “preferred investor” partnerships. Reparations momentum: CARICOM reparations talks in Barbados shifted toward action, including a revised Ten-Point Plan and legal/diplomatic strategies.

World Alzheimer’s Day: St. Vincent and the Grenadines marked Sept. 21 with a push for early diagnosis and better public understanding, featuring a community health fair, patient transport for check-ups, MOVE grooming sessions, and a children’s reading event at the Kingstown Public Library. Education support: MRI6 and the Ministry of Education partnered to fund 27 schools with targeted cash for teaching and learning materials. Sign language rights: SVG joined International Day of Sign Languages, with Minister Laverne Gibson Velox stressing deaf people’s human rights and noting two hearing-impaired children preparing for 2027 CPEA exams. Youth opportunities: A new YouthLink SVG platform launched to centralize jobs, scholarships, internships, training, grants, and volunteer opportunities for young people. Tourism leadership: SVGTA CEO Shafia London was selected for the International Women’s Forum Leadership Fellows Program, with scholarship support. Independence culture: Preparations began for the 47th Independence celebrations, including the National Independence Parade at Arnos Vale Sports Complex on Oct. 27. Youth discipline: Acting PM St. Clair Leacock warned students against street fighting and criminal behaviour, saying police action will follow public brawls. Diaspora & investment: PM Godwin Friday told Vincentians in New York to move from remittances to deeper partnership and private investment as the country limits borrowing.