AGP Executive Report

US-Caribbean Dialogue: Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre urged Washington to make cooperation count through affordable energy, jobs, safer communities and disaster support. The US announced more than US$340 million in regional funding for health, security and digital infrastructure, but the talks offered little on deportations or deadly US boat strikes. Work and Trade: Government, employers and unions have begun shaping Saint Lucia’s national decent-work framework. Export Saint Lucia CEO Sunita Daniel was elected chair of Caribbean Export, giving the country a leading role in regional trade development. Tourism: Saint Lucia collected 38 international honours, including Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon and Adventure Tourism destinations and the World’s Best Corporate Retreat Destination.

Decent Work: Government, employers and unions have begun shaping a national decent-work framework, with regional partners contributing to the discussions. Regional Leadership: Export Saint Lucia CEO Sunita Daniel was elected chair of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, giving Saint Lucia a leading role in regional trade and export development. US-Caribbean Dialogue: Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre travelled to Washington as CARICOM chair for talks on energy security, investment, jobs, public safety and disaster response. Investment Migration: Saint Lucia ranked fourth in the 2026 CBI Index, scoring 71 points as all five Caribbean programmes placed in the top five. Tourism: Saint Lucia collected 38 international honours, including Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon and Adventure Tourism destinations; Soufrière’s Dasheene restaurant also earned a 2026 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award. Suffrage Anniversary: Saint Lucia marked 75 years of universal adult suffrage, which greatly expanded voting rights in 1951.

Regional Diplomacy: Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre is in Washington for the US–Caribbean Dialogue, where he is due to speak as CARICOM chair on energy, investment, jobs, public safety and disaster response. Tourism: Saint Lucia’s Dasheene restaurant has won a 2026 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, while the destination and local businesses have collected 38 international tourism honours. Investment: Saint Lucia ranks fourth in the 2026 CBI Index, behind St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and Grenada. Public Safety: A 57-year-old man has died after a shooting in La Pointe, Dennery; police investigations continue. Water Supply: WASCO says unexpected infrastructure problems have stalled the northern pipeline upgrade, with no revised completion date announced. Youth and Energy: Saint Lucian climate advocate Genesis Alfred has been named to IRENA’s Youth Council for 2026–2028.

Regional Talks: Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre is in Washington for the U.S.–Caribbean Dialogue, where leaders are discussing energy security, economic growth, firearms trafficking and disaster response. Deputy Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire is acting Prime Minister until October 16. Democracy: Saint Lucia marked 75 years of universal adult suffrage, which expanded the electorate from 2,553 eligible voters in 1950 to 28,398 registered voters in 1951. Tourism: Saint Lucia and its tourism businesses won 38 international honours, including Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination and the World’s Best Corporate Retreat Destination. Cost of Living: The IMF projects Saint Lucia’s inflation at 2.9% in 2026, above Grenada, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Infrastructure: WASCO says unexpected problems have stalled the northern pipeline upgrade, with no revised completion date announced. Youth and Energy: Saint Lucian climate advocate Genesis Alfred has been appointed to IRENA’s Youth Council for 2026–2028. Local Government: Finance professional Jurgen Montoute, 31, is set to become Gros Islet’s next mayor.

Community Support: The National Community Foundation has launched its 18th telethon, set for November 29, to raise funds for education, medical assistance and emergency support. Finance: Bank of Saint Lucia backed regional talks on how credit unions can invest their funds while balancing risk, liquidity and member protection. Democracy: Saint Lucia marked 75 years of universal adult suffrage with a special parliamentary sitting. Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre urged citizens to use their vote wisely, while former St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves called for continued progress towards a more prosperous, socially democratic society. Water: WASCO says unexpected infrastructure problems have stalled the northern pipeline upgrade; it has not given a new completion date. Youth: Olympic champion Julien Alfred donated 50 copies of a children’s book about her journey to support literacy in Saint Lucian schools. Tourism: A new underwater sculpture park at Anse La Verdure, featuring 31 works celebrating Saint Lucian heritage, is expected to open in November.

Water Infrastructure: WASCO says unexpected problems have stalled the northern pipeline upgrade between Bonne Terre and Gros Islet. No revised completion date has been given for the project intended to improve water reliability. Democracy: Saint Lucia marked 75 years of universal adult suffrage with a special parliamentary sitting. Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre urged citizens to use their vote wisely, while Ralph Gonsalves linked shared prosperity to productive work and effective governance. Tourism: Caribbean stayover arrivals grew just 1.9% in the first half of 2026, despite a surge in cruise visits. Saint Lucia joined regional calls for better air and sea links to support tourism growth. New attraction: Below Saint Lucia, an underwater sculpture park honouring the island’s heritage and notable figures, is set to open in November off Anse La Verdure. Youth innovation: Saint Lucian students showcased a locally developed robot at the FIRST Global Challenge in South Korea.

Democracy: Saint Lucia marked 75 years of universal adult suffrage with a special parliamentary sitting. Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre urged citizens to use their vote wisely, while former SVG prime minister Ralph Gonsalves said shared prosperity depends on productive work, effective governance and tackling crime. Tourism: A new underwater sculpture park at Anse La Verdure is set to open in November, with 31 works celebrating Saint Lucian heritage and contributors to the nation. The launch comes as Caribbean stayover arrivals grew just 1.9% in the first half of 2026, while cruise visits jumped 11% to a record 21.7 million. Public Services: WASCO has introduced online bill payment, digital bill and balance viewing, and a balance enquiry line to make account services easier for customers.

Democracy: Saint Lucia marked 75 years of universal adult suffrage, with Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre urging citizens to use their vote wisely. At a special parliamentary sitting, former St Vincent and the Grenadines prime minister Ralph Gonsalves said shared prosperity depends on productive work, effective governance and tackling crime. Economic Outlook: The World Bank forecasts just 1.1% growth for Saint Lucia in 2026, as tourism-dependent Caribbean economies face a slower recovery and high energy and transport costs. Regional Ties: Janet Caroo has been accredited as Saint Lucia’s ambassador to CARICOM, where she will represent the country as it serves as Community chair.

Youth and Literacy: Olympic champion Julien Alfred donated 50 books about her journey to Ciceron Primary School, supporting efforts to build children’s reading habits. Anse Cochon Inquiry: Public hearings into the fatal July boat collision begin Tuesday, October 13, at Parliament, with the Commission of Inquiry inviting the public to attend. Workplace Standards: Labour officers inspected several Soufrière businesses, checking conditions and compliance with the Labour Act. Economic Outlook: The World Bank projects Saint Lucia’s economy will grow by 1.1 per cent in 2026, after contracting 0.6 per cent last year. Utility Services: WASCO has launched an online portal for customers to pay bills, view statements and check balances.

Youth and Literacy: Olympic champion Julien Alfred donated 50 books about her journey to Diverse Classroom Books at her former school, Ciceron Primary, to encourage young readers. Tourism and Regional Links: Saint Lucia joined Caribbean tourism ministers in a discussion on competitiveness and sustainable growth, with regional travel connections highlighted as a key priority. Economic Outlook: The World Bank projects Saint Lucia’s economy will grow by 1.1% in 2026, after contracting 0.6% last year, as tourism-dependent economies face a slower recovery. Public Utilities: WASCO has launched online bill payment, digital bill and balance viewing, and a phone balance-enquiry service. Anse Cochon Inquiry: Public hearings into the July boat collision that killed four people are set to begin Tuesday, October 13, at the Parliament Building. Workplace Standards: Labour officers have inspected several Soufrière establishments to check compliance with the Labour Act and working conditions.

Violence Prevention: Saint Lucian commentators are urging action to protect women and prevent crime, arguing that policing and punishment alone cannot address the roots of violence. Customer Services: WASCO has launched online bill payment, digital bill and balance viewing, and a phone balance service. Economic Outlook: The World Bank forecasts Saint Lucia’s economy will grow by 1.1% in 2026, after a 0.6% contraction last year, as tourism-dependent economies face a slower recovery. Regional Relations: Janet Caroo has been accredited as Saint Lucia’s ambassador to CARICOM, with regional cooperation high on the agenda as the country chairs the Community. Workplace Standards: Labour officers have inspected establishments across Soufrière to check compliance with the Labour Act and working conditions. Anse Cochon Inquiry: Public hearings into the July boat collision that killed four people are set to begin Tuesday at the Parliament Building.

Public Safety: Recent commentary on violence against women and wider crime argues that policing and punishment alone cannot address the problem; prevention, education and better protection for vulnerable people are needed. Water Services: WASCO has launched online bill payment and account services. It is also preparing a EC$13.2 million upgrade to the Theobalds plant, now operating at about 40 per cent capacity and serving more than 40,000 customers. Regional Diplomacy: Janet Caroo has been accredited as Saint Lucia’s ambassador to CARICOM, as the country chairs the regional bloc. Economic Outlook: The World Bank forecasts 1.1 per cent growth for Saint Lucia in 2026, after a 0.6 per cent contraction last year, citing a slower recovery among tourism-dependent economies. Anse Cochon Inquiry: Public hearings into the July boat collision that killed four people are due to begin on October 13 at the Parliament Building. Workplace Standards: Labour officers have inspected businesses in Soufrière to check compliance with the Labour Act and workplace conditions.

Workplace Standards: Labour officers inspected businesses across Soufrière, checking conditions and employment practices against the Labour Act. Anse Cochon Inquiry: Public hearings into the July 18 boat collision that killed four people are due to begin Tuesday, October 13, at the Parliament Building. Economic Outlook: The World Bank forecasts Saint Lucia’s economy will grow by 1.1% in 2026, after contracting 0.6% last year, as tourism-dependent Caribbean economies face high energy and transport costs. Cost of Living: Government has provided a subsidy to offset higher fuel prices. Water Supply: WASCO is advancing a EC$13.2 million upgrade to the Theobalds treatment plant, now operating at about 40% efficiency and serving more than 40,000 customers. Business Support: Blue Economy businesses in Saint Lucia, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines will have a final chance to apply for OECS grant funding, with the call launching October 30.

Workplace Standards: Labour officers inspected eight Soufrière workplaces, checking conditions and compliance with the Labour Act and reminding employers of their legal responsibilities. Economic Outlook: The World Bank forecasts Saint Lucia’s economy will grow 1.1% in 2026, after contracting 0.6% last year, as tourism-dependent Caribbean economies face higher energy and transport costs. Anse Cochon Inquiry: Public hearings into the fatal July boat collision begin October 13 at Parliament, with the commission tasked with examining the circumstances of the crash that killed four people. Water Supply: WASCO is selecting a contractor for a EC$13.2 million upgrade to the Theobalds treatment plant, which serves more than 40,000 customers and is operating at about 40% efficiency. Business Support: Blue Economy businesses in Saint Lucia can apply for a final round of OECS matching grants for projects in fisheries, marine tourism and waste management. Youth Innovation: Saint Lucian students represented the island at the FIRST Global robotics challenge in South Korea, with support from local technology company Orbtronics.

Concacaf Nations League: Saint Lucia stayed in the hunt for Group B’s top spot with a 1-0 win over Guadeloupe, but Barbados moved ahead after a late comeback victory over Bermuda. Saint Lucia has nine points, one behind Barbados. Selgado Appeal: The Caribbean Court of Justice heard the DPP’s appeal against the overturning of Oscar Selgado’s conviction. Arguments focused on whether a key witness’s statement could be admitted without cross-examination. Water Supply: WASCO is preparing a EC$13.2 million upgrade to the Theobalds treatment plant, which serves more than 40,000 customers and is operating at about 40 per cent efficiency. Work could begin in November. Cost of Living: Government subsidies will keep several fuel prices unchanged through October 25, despite rising import costs. Economic Outlook: The World Bank projects Saint Lucia’s economy will grow by 1.1 per cent in 2026, below its 2.2 per cent forecast for Latin America and the Caribbean. Business Support: OECS blue economy businesses in fisheries, marine tourism and waste management can seek matching-grant funding through a final call opening October 30.

Water Service: WASCO is moving toward a EC$13.2 million upgrade of the Theobalds plant, which serves more than 40,000 customers and is operating at 40 per cent efficiency. Work could begin in November, with completion targeted for December 2027. Customers can also now pay bills online with instant account updates. Economic Outlook: The World Bank projects Saint Lucia’s economy will grow 1.1 per cent in 2026 after contracting 0.6 per cent last year. Housing: Parliament approved a government guarantee for a US$20 million loan to support affordable home construction, repairs and renovations, though the Opposition raised concerns about access. Regional Justice: The CCJ opened its first itinerant sitting in Saint Lucia as its president reported filings up 40 per cent and called for greater public access. Business Support: Blue Economy businesses in Saint Lucia can apply for a final round of OECS grants for fisheries, marine tourism and waste management. Cost of Living: Government subsidies will hold prices steady for several fuel products through October 25, cushioning consumers from rising import costs. Youth Innovation: Saint Lucian students are representing the country at an international robotics competition in South Korea.