AGP Executive Report

Trade & Digital Trade Facilitation: St. Kitts and Nevis, with the World Bank, is pushing ahead with a National Electronic Single Window, using a 30 Sept–1 Oct visioning workshop to align government agencies and the private sector on one digital platform for trade documents. Consumer Protection: The Consumer Affairs Department is stepping up enforcement with fixed penalty tickets for supermarkets and retailers, focusing on price disclosure, promotions, product labelling, receipts, and sales records under the Consumer Protection Act, 2023. Agri-Value Chain & Food Security: Minister Samal Duggins marked the recommissioning of the Needsmust Agro-Processing Unit, aiming to cut post-harvest losses and expand value-added local production. Climate Resilience & Protected Agriculture: A FAO technical mission wrapped up support for protected agriculture training, while Marine Resources and Agriculture received two specialised DESMI workboats to strengthen sargassum response. Energy & Water Security (UNGA): Acting PM Geoffrey Hanley highlighted progress under the Sustainable Island State Agenda, including solar-powered desalination and advancing geothermal and solar plans. Automotive & Mobility: Chery officially launched in St. Kitts and Nevis via Motorworld and Horsford’s Automotive, and Trans Anguilla Airways opened a dedicated airport office to boost regional travel support. Creative Economy & IP: Local songwriter Collin Wyatt and IPOSKN registrar Jihan Williams-Knight represented the Federation at WIPO forums on IP and music. Regional Politics: OAS member states, including St. Kitts and Nevis, urged full renewal and deployment of Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force, calling for personnel and funding.

Automotive & Local Business: Chery officially launched in St. Kitts and Nevis through Motorworld and Horsford’s Automotive, with customers getting an up-close look at the SUV lineup and local cultural performances marking the milestone. Regional Air Connectivity: Trans Anguilla Airways opened a dedicated office at Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in St. Kitts, aiming to improve on-the-ground support and strengthen its wider regional push. Consumer Protection: The Department of Consumer Affairs stepped up enforcement, issuing fixed penalty tickets to retailers over breaches of the Consumer Protection Act, including price disclosure, promotions, safety, labelling and receipt requirements. Youth & Agriculture: Caribbean Week of Agriculture opened in Jamaica, with Gingerland Secondary School winning the CARICOM “I Am Agriculture” youth video competition, highlighting new opportunities for young farmers. Protected Farming & Resilience: A FAO technical mission wrapped up support for protected agriculture, training farmers and technical staff on nutrient management and integrated crop management. Marine Response to Sargassum: St. Kitts and Nevis received two specialised DESMI workboats, with commissioning and operator training to strengthen sargassum monitoring and response. Trade Facilitation: A World Bank-backed Electronic Single Window visioning workshop is set for Sept 30–Oct 1 to streamline trade documents between traders and border agencies. Energy & Water Progress: At UNGA81, Acting Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley highlighted SISA implementation, including a solar-powered desalination plant and advancing geothermal and solar projects. Sports: The Sugar Boyz beat Grenada 3–0 in the Concacaf Nations League, powered by Tiquanny Williams’ hat-trick.

Youth & Culture: The National Republic Bank Miss Teen St. Kitts and Nevis 2026–2027 committee has unveiled nine contestants in a Romney Manor introduction video for Sugar Mas 55, with ambassadors including Theia Ballington and Leana Walters. Agriculture & Food Security: Caribbean Week of Agriculture opened in Jamaica, where Gingerland Secondary School in St. Kitts and Nevis won CARICOM’s “I Am Agriculture” youth video competition, highlighting youth-led farming and opportunity for girls. Protected Farming Support: A FAO technical mission wrapped up after training farmers and technical staff on nutrient management and integrated crop management for protected cultivation, aiming to boost productivity and climate resilience. Marine Resilience: St. Kitts and Nevis received two specialised DESMI workboats to strengthen sargassum response capacity, with commissioning and operator training under a UNDP-Japan project. Trade Facilitation: A World Bank-supported Electronic Single Window visioning workshop runs 30 Sept–1 Oct to streamline import/export documents and help meet WTO trade facilitation goals. Energy & Water Progress: At UNGA81, Acting Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley pointed to a solar-powered desalination plant and advancing geothermal and solar projects as part of the Sustainable Island State agenda. Agro-Processing Value Chain: Minister Samal Duggins marked the recommissioning of the Needsmust Agro-Processing Unit to cut post-harvest losses and expand value-added local production. Tech & Regional Skills: OECS launched EU-funded specialised training for services-sector trade negotiators across member states, including St. Kitts and Nevis.

Caribbean Agriculture Week: St. Kitts and Nevis-linked students grabbed regional attention as Saint Vincent Girls’ High School won the CARICOM “I Am Agriculture” youth video contest, underscoring a push for innovation and food security through the next generation. Protected Agriculture & Skills: A FAO technical mission wrapped up in St. Kitts and Nevis, training farmers and technicians on nutrient management and integrated crop management to boost protected cultivation and climate resilience. Sargassum Response: The marine and agriculture ministries strengthened national readiness by commissioning two new DESMI workboats to monitor and respond to sargassum influxes, with UNDP and Japan support. Trade Facilitation: A World Bank-backed Electronic Single Window visioning workshop (Sept 30–Oct 1) aims to simplify and automate trade documents and help streamline import/export processes. Agro-Processing Value Chain: Needsmust’s agro-processing unit was recommissioned to cut post-harvest losses and expand local value-added production. Energy, Water & Resilience at UNGA: Acting PM Geoffrey Hanley highlighted SISA progress, including solar desalination and geothermal development, while calling for stronger climate finance and fairer global support. Telecom Leadership: Konris Maynard was elected President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, marking another regional role for St. Kitts and Nevis. Diplomacy & Mobility: Visa waiver agreements were signed with Azerbaijan for all passport categories, easing travel for citizens.

Protected Agriculture & Food Security: A five-day FAO technical mission wrapped up in St. Kitts and Nevis, training farmers and technical staff on nutrient management and integrated crop management to boost protected cultivation and climate resilience. Sargassum Response: The Marine Resources and Agriculture ministries took delivery of two specialised DESMI workboats, with commissioning and operator training, to strengthen monitoring and rapid response to sargassum influxes. Trade Facilitation: St. Kitts and Nevis and the World Bank Group will host a 30 Sept–1 Oct Electronic Single Window visioning workshop to simplify and automate trade documents and streamline import/export processes. Climate, Energy & Resilience at UNGA81: Acting PM Geoffrey Hanley used his UN address to push for climate justice and better access to financing, while highlighting local progress like a solar-powered desalination plant and geothermal/solar energy plans. Agro-Processing Value Chain: Minister Samal Duggins marked the recommissioning of the Needsmust Agro-Processing Unit, aiming to cut post-harvest losses and expand value-added food production. Digital & AI Inclusion: Hanley urged developing countries to shape the AI future, warning against a new digital divide. Regional Services Capacity: OECS launched EU-funded specialised training for services trade stakeholders across member states, including St. Kitts and Nevis. Telecom Leadership: Konris Maynard was elected President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), reinforcing regional ICT coordination. Investment & Manufacturing Linkages: DDL broke ground on a US$10m expansion to use St. Kitts as a hub for bottling and distributing Guyanese-made products across smaller Caribbean markets.

Trade & Services Capacity: OECS, with EU RIGHT Programme funding, is training services-sector stakeholders across public, private and civil society in St. Kitts and Nevis and other Protocol states to boost trade policy, regulation reform and negotiating skills. Trade Facilitation Tech: St. Kitts and Nevis and the World Bank Group will host a 30 Sept–1 Oct Electronic Single Window visioning workshop to simplify and automate trade documents and strengthen WTO Trade Facilitation commitments. Energy & Water Security: At UNGA81, Acting PM Geoffrey Hanley pushed climate-finance and resilience, citing a solar-powered 2-million-gallon desalination plant and progress on geothermal and solar-plus-storage energy plans. Agro-Processing Value Chain: Minister Samal Duggins marked the recommissioning of the Needsmust Agro-Processing Unit to cut post-harvest losses and expand value-added food production. Digital & AI Governance: Hanley urged developing countries to shape AI so the next divide isn’t “digital,” stressing skills, data, energy and cybersecurity—not just internet access. Regional Telecom Leadership: Konris Maynard was elected President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, signaling renewed focus on Caribbean digital development. Regional Security (Haiti): OAS states, including St. Kitts and Nevis, backed renewal of Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force mandate with full personnel and funding for deployment. Nevis Political Tensions: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley again criticized federal treatment of Nevis, renewing calls over scholarships, geothermal and “fair share” development. Finance Law Update: Parliament passed Payment Systems and Services and Liquor Licence amendment bills to modernize rules for digital payments and consumer protection.

Haiti Security: All 32 OAS member states backed renewing the UN mandate for Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force, urging full deployment with personnel, funding, equipment and logistics, after an OAS mission flagged security and elections as tightly linked. IP & Creative Industries: St. Kitts and Nevis creatives represented the island at WIPO cross-regional forums, with local IP officials supporting participation by a women creators pitch and an Afro-Caribbean music and IP exchange in Ghana. UNGA Resilience Push: Acting PM Geoffrey Hanley told UNGA81 St. Kitts and Nevis is moving from plans to delivery under its Sustainable Island State Agenda, citing solar desalination, improved household water access, and geothermal/solar energy work. Agro-Processing Boost: Agriculture Minister Samal Duggins marked the recommissioning of the Needsmust Agro-Processing Unit, aiming to cut post-harvest losses and expand value-added food production. Telecom Leadership: Konris Maynard was elected President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, while Phillip Jackson was elected CTU Vice-President. Energy & Climate Finance: Hanley urged stronger climate finance and renewable energy investment for SIDS, linking resilience to energy security and regional stability. Trade & Investment: DDL broke ground on a US$10m expansion in St. Kitts to use the island as a distribution hub for Guyanese manufactured goods across smaller Caribbean markets. Shipping Security: Reports of renewed Somali piracy highlighted fresh risks and costs for global shipping, including the release of a St. Kitts and Nevis-flagged vessel after months in pirate hands.

WIPO & Creative Industries: St. Kitts and Nevis creatives Sanara Bussue-Ugboh and Collin Wyatt represented the country at WIPO cross-regional forums in Manila and Accra, pitching their brands and connecting IP know-how to music and entrepreneurship. Climate & Resilience Finance: Acting Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley told UNGA81 that climate change is a development crisis for SIDS, urging resilience building, better access to concessional financing, and stronger international financial architecture. Agro-Processing Boost: Minister Samal Duggins marked the recommissioning of the Needsmust Agro-Processing Unit, aiming to cut post-harvest losses and grow value-added food production. Energy & Water Security: UNGA updates highlighted a solar-powered 2-million-gallon desalination plant and geothermal/solar plans to strengthen energy and water security. Telecom Leadership: Konris Maynard was elected President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, with a focus on advancing regional digital resilience and inclusion. Trade & Manufacturing Expansion: DDL broke ground on a US$10m expansion in St. Kitts to scale bottling and position the island as a regional hub for Guyanese-made products. Visa Ease: St. Kitts and Nevis signed visa waiver agreements with Azerbaijan for all passport categories. Regional Security & Shipping: OAS members, including St. Kitts and Nevis, urged renewal of Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force mandate; meanwhile, Somali piracy reports point to rising risks and costs for global shipping.

UNGA81 Climate & Finance Push: Acting Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley told the UN General Assembly that climate change is a development crisis for Caribbean states, warning of high debt, tight fiscal space and limited access to concessional financing, while urging resilience building and better global financial architecture. Water and Energy Security at Home: In the same UN push, he highlighted SISA progress including a 2-million-gallon solar-powered desalination plant, rising 24-hour water access, and geothermal and solar/battery plans to strengthen energy security. Agro-Processing Boost: Minister Samal Duggins marked the recommissioning of the Agro-Processing Unit at Needsmust, aiming to cut post-harvest losses and grow value-added food production. Regional Telecom Leadership: Konris Maynard was elected President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, with Phillip Jackson also elected CTU Vice-President, signaling a stronger regional push on digital resilience and cybersecurity. Trade and Industry Moves: DDL broke ground on a US$10m expansion in St Kitts to turn the island into a hub for bottling and distributing Guyanese manufactured products across smaller Caribbean markets. Diplomacy & Mobility: St Kitts and Nevis signed visa waiver agreements with Azerbaijan for all passport categories, and continued UNGA sideline diplomacy with Saudi Arabia and Taiwan. Shipping Security Watch: Somali piracy remains a live risk for global shipping, with recent releases and ransom dynamics raising new cost and security concerns.

UNGA Spotlight: Acting Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley told the UN General Assembly that St. Kitts and Nevis is moving from “ambition to implementation,” citing a solar-powered 2-million-gallon desalination plant, 24-hour water access rising to about 75% of households, and geothermal/solar plans to strengthen energy security. Agro-Processing Push: Minister Samal Duggins marked the recommissioning of the Agro-Processing Unit at Needsmust, aiming to cut post-harvest losses and grow value-added food production for farmers and entrepreneurs. Telecom Leadership: Konris Maynard was elected President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), with Phillip Jackson also elected CTU Vice-President—an ICT boost for the region. Trade & Industry Expansion: DDL broke ground on a US$10m expansion in St. Kitts to turn the island into a hub for bottling and distributing more Guyanese-made products across smaller Caribbean markets. Policy for Digital Payments: Parliament passed the Payment Systems and Services Bill to modernise rules for mobile wallets and fintech, updating licensing and risk controls. Energy & Climate Finance: Hanley urged stronger climate finance access and renewable investment for SIDS, linking resilience to energy security and supply-chain stability.

UNGA81 Water & Energy Push: Acting PM Dr. Geoffrey Hanley told the UN General Assembly that St. Kitts and Nevis is moving from “ambition to implementation,” citing the Feb commissioning of a 2-million-gallon solar-powered desalination plant, rising 24-hour water access (about 75% of households), and progress on Nevis geothermal (30MW) plus a planned Saint Kitts solar PV and battery project (50MW). CTU Leadership: Konris Maynard was elected President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, with Phillip Jackson elected CTU Vice-President—an ICT governance win for the region. SIDS Resilience Call: Hanley urged stronger global partnerships and faster climate finance for small islands, linking climate, energy security and resilience to economic and national security. Bilateral Deals & Diplomacy: St. Kitts and Nevis signed visa waiver agreements with Azerbaijan for all passport categories; Hanley also met Saudi officials to deepen geothermal and energy-transition cooperation. Trade & Industry Expansion: DDL broke ground on a US$10m expansion in St. Kitts to turn the site into a regional hub for bottling and distributing Guyanese-made products. Shipping Security Watch: Somali piracy is again reshaping global shipping costs and routes after renewed seizures and releases.

Telecom Leadership: Konris Maynard was elected President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) at CTU ICT Week in French Guiana, with Phillip Jackson also taking a vice-presidential role—an important regional boost for St. Kitts and Nevis’ ICT agenda. Climate & Energy Security: Acting PM Geoffrey Hanley pushed for stronger global partnerships and faster renewable investment for SIDS, linking climate resilience to energy security and supply-chain costs. Diplomacy & Mobility: St. Kitts and Nevis signed visa waiver agreements with Azerbaijan for all passport holders, while Hanley also marked long-running ties with Taiwan at UNGA. Regional Security Talks: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet Caribbean leaders, including in St. Kitts and Nevis, on security, migration, and energy. Business Expansion: DDL broke ground on a US$10m expansion in St. Kitts to add bottling and turn the island into a hub for distributing Guyanese manufactured goods across smaller Caribbean markets. Finance Modernisation: Parliament passed Payment Systems and Services and Liquor Licence amendment bills, updating rules for digital payments and licensing. Maritime Risk: Somali piracy continues to disrupt shipping, with another vessel freed after pirate control—raising costs and security concerns for regional trade.

UNGA Diplomacy: Acting PM Dr. Geoffrey Hanley attended Taiwan Friendship Night in New York, highlighting four decades of cooperation in healthcare, education and energy transition. Visa & Mobility: St. Kitts and Nevis and Azerbaijan signed visa waiver agreements for all passport categories, signed on UNGA sidelines. Energy Partnerships: Hanley met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, focusing on geothermal support, generators, and future energy and water cooperation. Telecom Leadership: Konris Maynard was elected President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), boosting regional ICT influence for St. Kitts and Nevis. Regional Trade/Industry: DDL broke ground on a US$10m expansion to make St. Kitts a hub for bottling and distributing Guyanese manufactured goods across smaller Caribbean markets. Payments & Fintech: Parliament passed the Payment Systems and Services Bill, 2026, updating rules for modern digital payments. Sports & Inclusion: Elijah Walters was selected for the 2026 World Sailing Inclusive Championship in Portugal, with a local fundraising drive underway. Maritime Security: Somali piracy is resurging, reshaping global shipping costs and routes.

UN Diplomacy & SIDS Priorities: Acting PM Dr Geoffrey Hanley led St. Kitts and Nevis’ UNGA 81 delegation, pushing climate resilience, energy security, sustainable development and development financing as the federation’s key agenda. Regional Telecom Leadership: Minister Konris Maynard was elected President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), a major win for St. Kitts and Nevis as it takes the helm of the region’s ICT body. Energy Transition Ties: Hanley met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, focusing on geothermal cooperation, generators for energy security, and future water and infrastructure collaboration. Trade & Manufacturing Expansion: DDL broke ground on a US$10m St. Kitts expansion to turn the island into a hub for bottling and distributing Guyanese-made products across smaller Caribbean markets. Payment Systems Reform: Parliament passed the Payment Systems and Services Bill, updating rules for modern card, wallet and digital transfers and strengthening oversight for non-bank providers. Investment Push Beyond Tourism: The federation broadened priority sectors to include agriculture, aquaculture, renewable energy, IT, light manufacturing and education, aligning with IMF growth drivers. Sports & Inclusion: Elijah Walters was selected to represent St. Kitts and Nevis at the 2026 World Sailing Inclusive Championship in Portugal, with a local fundraising drive underway. Independence Focus on Water & Energy: Independence 43 coverage highlighted improved 24/7 water access and renewable energy plans under the Sustainable Island State Agenda.

CARICOM–India Diplomacy: India and CARICOM foreign ministers met on the sidelines of UNGA 81 in New York, with CARICOM backing India’s UNSC bid for 2028–29 and talks spanning trade, investment, agriculture/food security, digital governance, climate resilience and energy cooperation. Telecom Leadership: St. Kitts and Nevis’ Konris Maynard was elected President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, a boost for regional ICT coordination. Trade, Industry & Investment: DDL is expanding in St. Kitts with a US$10m project to turn the island into a regional hub for bottling and distributing more Guyanese-made products across smaller Caribbean markets. Shipping Security: Somali piracy is resurging, pushing up security and freight costs and reshaping global shipping routes and risk planning. Payments & Fintech: Parliament passed the Payment Systems and Services Bill, 2026, updating rules for modern digital payments and non-bank services. Energy & Resilience: A regional push for energy sovereignty is gaining urgency as oil-market volatility and Strait of Hormuz risks keep threatening Caribbean reliability and costs. Sports & Inclusion: Elijah Walters was selected to represent St. Kitts and Nevis at the 2026 World Sailing Inclusive Championship in Portugal, supported by a local fundraising drive.

Telecom Leadership: Konris Maynard has been elected President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, a fresh regional spotlight for St. Kitts and Nevis’ ICT push. UN Diplomacy: Acting PM Geoffrey Hanley leads the federation’s UNGA 81 delegation, framing priorities around climate, energy security, resilience and development financing. Foreign Policy: Dr. Denzil Douglas pledged to deepen CELAC–India ties, pointing to the new High Commission in New Delhi and a focus on partnerships that deliver for people. Digital Payments Law: Parliament passed the Payment Systems and Services Bill 2026, updating rules for mobile wallets and fintech, adding a licensing regime for non-bank providers and stronger consumer protections. Youth, Tech & Education: First Lady Diani Prince-Drew joined a UN children-and-technology panel, while Melania Trump expanded her “Fostering the Future Together” coalition and announced new tech partnerships. Sports & Inclusion: Elijah Walters was selected to represent St. Kitts and Nevis at the 2026 World Sailing Inclusive Championship in Portugal, with a local fundraising drive underway. Energy & Trade Context: Reports highlight rising freight and shipping disruption risks amid Middle East tensions, underscoring pressure on regional logistics and energy security. Local Business/Industry Angle: The federation is widening investment focus beyond tourism to agriculture, renewable energy, technology, light manufacturing and education.