AGP Executive Report

Education & Health Pipeline: St James MP Edmund Bartlett says the planned Barrett Hall township could get Jamaica’s first STEAM school, while in Portland a new special education diagnostic centre is set to open in September. Student STEM-to-Medicine: Roshann Watson, from St James, is set to start MBBS at UWI Mona in September after excelling in Basic Medical Science. National ID for Banking: Jamaica’s NIDS card is now accepted by all member banks, with “low-risk” accounts needing simplified due diligence. Deep-Sea Mining Watch: Delegations meet in Kingston at the International Seabed Authority as countries and groups push to keep a deep-sea mining moratorium. Water Resilience: The Rio Cobre Water Treatment Plant (US$92m) is advancing to add 15 million gallons of potable water daily, targeting May 2027 completion. AI & Work Skills: PwC says AI is boosting demand for human skills like critical thinking and communication, not just technical ability. Drone Soccer Funding: Jamaica’s drone football team gets $1.35m for South Korea competition, highlighting sport-tech STEM pathways. Energy Affordability Debate: A fresh push argues Jamaica’s electricity discussion must focus on measuring affordability, not just choosing solar vs nuclear.

Cuba’s Tourism Crunch: Cuba’s tourism model is hitting hard limits, with hotel occupancy near 13% early 2026 and arrivals down sharply as fuel and electricity shortages disrupt travel. Water Resilience Upgrade: Jamaica’s Rio Cobre Water Treatment Plant (US$92m) is set to add 15 million gallons of potable water daily for 150,000+ customers, targeting completion in May 2027. Dry-Season Fixes: NIC is rehabilitating canals and replacing pipelines to cut leaks and protect irrigation access during drought conditions. Bridges for Climate Safety: St James is slated to receive 10 bridges under the Accelerated Bridge Programme, aiming for climate-resilient crossings nationwide. Drone Soccer Funding: The sport ministry approved J$1.35m for Jamaica’s drone soccer team to compete in South Korea, pushing STEM skills through a fast-growing discipline. NIDS in Banking: Banks are now accepting the NIDS card as government photo ID, with simplified due diligence for lower-risk accounts. AI and Work Skills: PwC says AI is boosting demand for human skills like critical thinking and judgement, not just technical ability. Special Education Access: A new diagnostic centre in Portland is expected to open in September, reducing the need for families to travel to Kingston. Anti-Fraud Collaboration: MOCA calls for tighter cooperation across financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement to treat fraud intelligence as a shared national asset.

AI & Work Skills: PwC says AI is boosting demand for uniquely human skills in Jamaica’s global services—critical thinking, communication, leadership and judgement—while AI-related jobs grow far faster than the overall market. Education & Inclusion: A special education diagnostic centre is set to open in Portland in September, cutting the need for families in eastern parishes to travel to Kingston for assessments. Public ID & Banking: Jamaica’s NIDS card is now accepted across the banking sector, with simplified due diligence for low-risk accounts—though requirements can vary by transaction. Energy Policy Debate: Jamaica’s SMR proposal is being pushed for tougher public scrutiny, with calls for a real comparative feasibility study before any commitment. Grid Affordability: A national electricity affordability target is flagged as missing from Jamaica’s energy planning, as the country debates solar, nuclear, LNG and batteries. Sports Tech: Jamaica’s drone soccer team gets $1.35m to compete in South Korea, highlighting STEM skills through the fast-growing sport. Agritech & Plant Health: A new Seed and Nursery Certification Unit at Bodles aims to protect plant health and improve food security by certifying disease-free planting material. Fraud & Finance: MOCA urges stronger anti-fraud collaboration across institutions, regulators and law enforcement, calling fraud intelligence a shared national asset.

CARICOM Diplomacy: CARICOM heads of government met in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia (5–8 July) under PM Philip J. Pierre’s chairmanship, with Jamaica’s PM Andrew Holness among attendees, keeping regional policy coordination in focus. Digital Travel Tech: Ghana launched a fully digital e-visa system, aiming to cut processing delays and reduce fraud risks while boosting African mobility and trade. Public Service Skills: Jamaica’s Finance Minister Fayval Williams says the government will keep investing in public officers’ professional development as part of public service modernisation. Border Rules Tech: The UK updated visitor entry-clearance guidance, confirming which countries need visas for short stays under six months. Drone Soccer Funding: Jamaica’s drone football team received $1.35m from the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport for a South Korea competition (July 11–18). Agriculture Tech & Food Security: Jamaica Post will host a UPU e-commerce readiness workshop (July 21–23), while the Plant Quarantine branch set up a Seed and Nursery Certification Unit at Bodles Research Station to improve disease-free planting material. Health Research: A Jamaica study highlights that painful periods are linked to depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts among women with sickle cell disease, calling for urgent, targeted care.

Drone-Soccer Boost: Jamaica’s Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport commits J$1.35m to send the national drone football team to South Korea (July 11–18), pushing a STEM-linked sport pathway after earlier Caribbean wins. Digital Travel Tech: Ghana launches a national e-visa platform aimed at cutting processing times and fraud using encryption and biometric checks—an Africa-wide mobility and trade upgrade. Postal E-Commerce Readiness: Jamaica Post hosts a UPU ORE Plus workshop (July 21–23) to strengthen postal operators for the digital economy. Agriculture & Plant Health: A new Seed and Nursery Certification Unit opens at Bodles Research Station to certify planting material and curb disease spread. AI & Safety for GBV: The JamSafe app is being developed with features like emergency alerts and AI-assisted safety screening to improve survivor support. Workforce Skills: Jamaica’s HEART student Courtenay Ferguson heads to WorldSkills Shanghai in ICT network infrastructure. Fraud Fight: MOCA calls for stronger, practical anti-fraud collaboration across regulators, banks, and law enforcement. Health Research: Study links painful periods with higher depression/anxiety and suicidal thoughts among women with sickle cell disease.

Anti-Fraud Push: MOCA’s Desmond Edwards says fraud intelligence must become a shared national asset, calling for tighter, practical links between banks, regulators, and law enforcement. Drought Tech in Action: NIC plans about 700m of canal rehab and 1,400m of pipeline replacement to cut leaks and improve irrigation access during dry conditions. AI and Jobs: A JIS think tank hears that AI should boost productivity and “sharpen” human work in global services, not replace people. GBV Safety App: The JamSafe app is being built with one-tap emergency alerts, AI-assisted safety screening, secure messaging, and live location sharing to strengthen prevention and response. Health Research: A UWI study links painful periods with higher depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among women living with sickle cell disease. Deep-Sea Mining Warning: The IUCN Red List flags 62% of hydrothermal-vent molluscs at risk from mining impacts. Global Services Strain: GSAJ leaders report the sector’s workforce fell by about a third since 2023-24, with Hurricane Melissa and costs cited. Education Access: A special education diagnostic centre in Portland is set to open in September to reduce travel to Kingston for assessments.

Health Workforce & Migration: Ghana’s NMTC and ENT Nursing School in Kumasi welcomed 145 post-basic specialised nursing students backed by “Mahama Care,” with plans to sign MoUs with the US and UK to deploy Ghanaian nurses abroad, building on Jamaica-linked agreements. Biodiversity & Mining: The IUCN Red List warns deep-sea mining threatens 62% of endemic hydrothermal vent molluscs (125 of 201), with mining sediment plumes risking whole ecosystems and potential tech-linked species. Climate Resilience: UN Climate Change highlights Jamaica’s 2050 Long-Term Emission Reduction and Climate-Resilient Strategy, noting adaptation costs are comparable to losses from Hurricane Melissa—making resilience investment a cheaper path than rebuilding. Global Services Jobs: Jamaica’s global services sector has shed about a third of its workforce since 2023-24, and newly elected GSAJ president Yoni Epstein calls for a stronger government-led push to market BPO as AI reshapes demand. Tech & Innovation in Education: Northern Caribbean University won an international AI platform pitch competition with “WellNest,” aimed at helping clinicians write clinical notes. Public Safety Tech: JCF urges more businesses and institutions to connect surveillance systems to the JamaicaEye network to boost investigations and deter crime. Sports Development: Smash Jamaica 2026 launches with a new racket-sports bag line from Bresheh and aims to give 40+ junior players international experience.

Deep-Sea Mining Watch: The IUCN Red List warns 62% of vent-dwelling molluscs are at risk from deep-sea mining, pushing calls for a moratorium as mineral extraction smothers fragile ecosystems. Climate Resilience Spotlight: UN Climate Change highlights Jamaica’s 2050 climate-resilient strategy as a model, stressing resilience investment can cost less than rebuilding after shocks like Hurricane Melissa. Hurricane Season Update: CSU forecasts a well-below-normal 2026 Atlantic season, with fewer named storms expected as El Niño conditions strengthen. Local Tech & AI in Health: Northern Caribbean University students win an international pitch with WellNest, an AI tool to help clinicians write notes. Public-Sector Debate: Teams will argue productivity growth vs new higher-value industries, and a push for legal public access to foreshore and sea. Education Access: A special education diagnostic centre in Portland is set to open in September to cut travel for assessments. Crypto Regulation: Jamaica’s FSC opens consultations to license and supervise virtual asset service providers, targeting a framework for AML/CFT and business conduct. Security Tech Push: JCF urges more organisations to connect surveillance systems to JamaicaEye to strengthen investigations.

AI in healthcare education: Northern Caribbean University students Adrian Tennant and Gary Bryan won the International Business Plan and Pitch competition 2026 with WellNest, an AI platform to help clinicians write clinical notes. Public safety tech: JamaicaEye is getting a push from the JCF to link more cameras to the network, boosting crime prevention and investigations. Climate resilience & nature-based protection: Minister Matthew Samuda stressed that wetlands are key to storm surge reduction, flooding control, fisheries, biodiversity and carbon storage—citing lessons from Hurricane Melissa. Water infrastructure: NWC warned of traffic changes along the Elegant Corridor in Rose Hall as phase one of the Western Water Resilience Improvement Project begins. Regulation for digital assets: Jamaica’s Financial Services Commission opened consultations on rules to license and supervise virtual asset service providers. Energy transition: Prime Minister Philip Davis commissioned completed rooftop solar installations at the University of The Bahamas. Local skills pipeline: Rhoda Moy Crawford urged youth to use free iamtheCODE tech training to improve employability.

AI in Healthcare: Northern Caribbean University (NCU) computer science students Adrian Tennant and Gary Bryan won the International Business Plan and Pitch competition 2026 with WellNest, an AI platform to help doctors write clinical notes, taking home US$20,000 after beating 40+ teams worldwide. Public Safety Tech: The Jamaica Constabulary Force is urging businesses to connect their surveillance systems to the JamaicaEye public camera network, citing recent investigations where footage helped identify suspects and strengthen cases. Hurricane Outlook: Colorado State University’s updated 2026 Atlantic forecast calls for below-average activity, estimating nine named storms (four hurricanes, one major) versus earlier higher projections. Cyber/Regulation: Jamaica’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has opened consultations on rules to license and supervise virtual asset service providers, targeting a sector tied to an estimated US$2.07B in 2024 crypto transactions. Energy & Industry: Minister Floyd Green says JISCO’s Alpart refinery modernisation is in two phases, with phase one (US$490M) aiming for a June 2027 restart. Education & Innovation: UWI will host its first International Undergraduate Student Leadership Conference and Entrepreneurship Exhibition (Sept 23–25, hybrid), while iamtheCODE Caribbean graduates the first cohort of free tech trainees.

Disaster Response & Resilience: Jamaica is sending humanitarian help to Venezuela after the earthquake, with Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith citing long-standing regional solidarity. Climate & Water Infrastructure: The NWC warned of traffic changes on the Elegant Corridor in Rose Hall as phase one of the Western Water Resilience Improvement Project begins, with lane closures expected to shift. Community Recovery After Hurricane Melissa: Reverend Dr. Henley Morgan says the focus must move from relief to rebuilding—“hand up, not handouts”—while St Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation leaders question NaRRA’s lead role. Quality Infrastructure & Trade: JANAAC and BSJ highlighted how accreditation boosts innovation and trust, while the Plant Quarantine Produce Inspection branch secured ISO/IEC 17020:2012 accreditation to strengthen export safety. Digital Skills: Education State Minister Rhoda Moy Crawford urged youth to use free iamtheCODE tech training to improve employability. AI & Gender Safety: UNESCO convened Jamaica stakeholders around AI-enabled gender-based violence, launching “Blocking is NOT Enough.” Energy & Industry: Alpart refinery could reopen by June 2027 after a US$490m modernization plan. Education & Leadership: UWI will host its first international undergraduate leadership and entrepreneurship conference in September.

Skills & Jobs: Education State Minister Rhoda Moy Crawford urged Jamaicans to use free iamtheCODE Caribbean tech training, highlighting coding, project management and communication skills for employability. Quality Infrastructure: The Plant Quarantine Produce Inspection branch secured ISO/IEC 17020:2012 accreditation to strengthen pest-free export/import checks and boost market access. University Innovation: UWI will host its first International Undergraduate Student Leadership Conference and Entrepreneurship Exhibition in September (hybrid), with registration and submissions open. Accreditation Leadership: Cassetta Green appointed Acting CEO of JANAAC Global Accreditation from July 1 to advance regional accreditation and trade confidence. Digital Governance & Safety: UNESCO launched a Jamaica report and validation work on AI-enabled gender-based violence, focusing on stronger partnerships and responsible digital governance. Regional Integration: CARICOM leaders pushed for stronger, more effective regional integration, with calls to close gaps in implementing the CSME. Health Education: UNESCO’s exploratory study validated Jamaica’s HFLE curriculum outcomes with stakeholder dialogue on delivery and school climate. Tech for Disaster Resilience: Government says modular housing construction and assembling has started, with more units expected soon after earlier shipping delays.

AI & Gender Safety: UNESCO launched “Blocking is NOT Enough” in Jamaica, tackling AI-enabled gender-based violence and deepfakes, while bringing government, civil society, youth and digital governance experts together to map gaps and next steps. Health Education Research: UNESCO also hosted a national validation meeting on Jamaica’s HFLE study, reviewing school-based healthy relationships outcomes across urban and rural secondary schools. Regional Digital Push: UWI and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union signed an MoU to strengthen digital policy, regulation, research, capacity building and AI policy work across the region. Housing Tech in Action: Jamaica’s modular housing programme moved into construction and assembling after Hurricane Melissa, with about 1,500 units on the ground and another 1,000 expected soon. Healthcare Under Pressure: Western Jamaica doctors criticised delays to the Cornwall Regional Hospital restoration, saying timelines keep slipping. Sports Tech & Talent: A Montego Bay doctor, Dr Meghana Muppuri, is pursuing postgraduate AI-in-medicine training with plans to bring AI into Jamaica’s healthcare workflows. Coral Science: Researchers are exploring underwater sound systems to help Jamaica’s reefs recover after major bleaching in 2023. Security Update: Murders fell 24% in the first half of 2026, with shootings down 27%, according to JCF figures. Tech in Travel: Ghana launched a national e-visa platform using AI authentication and blockchain verification to speed processing and reduce fraud. Community & Learning: Digicel Foundation expanded smart labs support for teacher training and free internet access. Sports Loss: Jamaica mourns legendary coach Stephen “Franno” Francis, credited with building world-class sprinting talent at home.

AI in Healthcare: A Montego Bay doctor, Dr Meghana Muppuri, has earned a postgraduate degree in Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and says she’ll bring AI-powered care, workflow upgrades, and medical education improvements back to Jamaica. Marine Science for Reef Recovery: Researchers are testing underwater “reef sound” speakers to help Jamaica’s coral reefs bounce back after the 2023 bleaching by attracting fish and coral larvae to degraded areas. Cannabis Licensing for Small Farmers: Clarendon ganja growers are being urged to form groups and use new community licensing pathways to enter Jamaica’s regulated medicinal cannabis industry. Cyber/AI Abuse Policy: Jamaica’s Minister of Technology is outlining a roadmap for new cybersecurity legislation, while calls are also growing for stronger laws against cyberbullying and AI-enabled abuse. Education & AI Use: Students are rethinking how they use generative AI in schools, with guidance shifting toward using tools for learning support rather than replacing thinking. Health System Pressure: The Jamaica Medical Doctors Association is pushing back on delays to the Cornwall Regional Hospital restoration timeline, warning that years of extensions keep care stretched. Sports Tech & Talent: MVP Track Club mourns coach Stephen “Franno” Francis, credited with a data-driven, Jamaica-based training model that produced world-class sprinters.

Smart Education Push: Digicel Foundation and Jamaica’s Ministry of Education signed MoUs to retrofit smart labs at Shortwood Teachers’ College, GC Foster College, and Moneague College—each getting laptops, printers, equipment, and two years of complimentary internet (US$80,000+ per lab), plus teacher training. AI & Work Readiness: Jamaica’s BPO sector is getting a government task force after job losses and AI pressure, aiming to help workers adapt so the tech boosts productivity instead of displacing staff. Agritech Innovation: The Agriculture Ministry, with IICA, plans a state-of-the-art agricultural innovation hub featuring robotics, virtual reality, and AI to train the next generation of ag entrepreneurs. Cybersecurity Law Roadmap: Jamaica’s tech leadership outlined plans for new cybersecurity legislation. Community Tech & Youth Entrepreneurship: Hanover students in an SDC/Infiniti Youth Entrepreneur Programme got mentorship from hotelier Christopher Issa, with advice on networking, risk management, and growth mindset. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: A global look at polymetallic nodules highlights the race to extract minerals for EV batteries versus the risk to deep-ocean life.

Smart Education Labs: Jamaica’s Ministry of Education and Digicel Foundation signed MoUs to set up ICT “smart labs” at Shortwood Teachers’ College, GC Foster College, and Moneague College, with retrofitting, laptops, printers, and two years of complimentary internet (US$80,000+ per lab) plus teacher training. AI Workforce Shift: Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. says a task force will tackle job losses in Jamaica’s BPO sector and help workers adapt to AI, aiming to boost productivity instead of displacing staff. Agritech Innovation Hub: Agriculture Minister Floyd Green announced plans for a state-of-the-art agricultural innovation centre with robotics, virtual reality, and AI—modeled on IICA’s Costa Rica digital centres—to train the next generation of ag entrepreneurs. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: Coverage highlights the race to extract polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, weighing EV battery supply gains against biodiversity risks. Local Tech Talent: A 14-year-old Merl Grove student, Alison Jacobs, is building StudySovereign, a mobile app to help Caribbean learners organise coursework and prep for CSEC/CAPE.