AGP Executive Report

Tourism Workforce & Resilience: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica is offering Saudi Arabia a people-first workforce blueprint to help turn Vision 2030 tourism growth into 1 million lasting careers, building on Jamaica’s HEART/NSTA Trust and tourism resilience experience. School Heat Relief: The JWN Foundation fast-tracks 10 air coolers for Hurricane Melissa-affected Holland Primary, where classes were held under trees and in tents, aiming to cut heat stress and improve learning. Hurricane Recovery for Schools: NET continues rehabilitation after Hurricane Melissa, including reroofing and accessibility upgrades at Cambridge Primary and Retirement Primary/Infant, plus repairs at Troy High and Cedric Titus High in Trelawny. Clean Water Financing: Government signs a US$36m CDB loan for the Jamaica Rural Water Supply Programme to expand potable, centrally managed water to 40,000+ residents across five parishes amid El Niño drought pressure. Climate & Water Cycle Warning: WMO reports fossil fuel pollution is throwing the global water cycle off balance, driving erratic swings between floods and drought. Solar for Safer Learning: Mount Alvernia High in Montego Bay gets a $6.5m solar-power system to replace hurricane-damaged equipment and boost reliable campus energy. Community Climate Safety Culture: Queens’ “Please Don’t Flush!” comedy tour uses flood-safety storytelling to spark better local planning and water-conscious behaviour.

Water Security & Climate: The World Meteorological Organization says fossil fuel pollution is throwing the water cycle “off balance,” with shrinking freshwater storage and more erratic swings between floods and drought—warning of serious impacts for rivers, glaciers and communities. Rural Water Upgrade: Jamaica signed a US$36m Caribbean Development Bank loan for the Jamaica Rural Water Supply Programme, targeting potable water access for 40,000+ residents across five parishes amid El Niño-linked drought and restrictions. Coastal Protection Debate: City Councilmember Joann Ariola is urging the federal government to set a 12-nautical-mile buffer to keep industrial menhaden fishing farther from the coast, arguing it could be disrupting Jamaica Bay’s ecosystem and affecting predators and seabird nesting. Clean Energy Resilience: Mount Alvernia High in St James received a US$6.5m replacement solar-power system after Hurricane Melissa damage, aiming for more reliable, greener campus power. Community Recovery & Health: International Medical Relief joined reggae icon Judy Mowatt and the Sean Paul Foundation for a Bluefields Rising Health & Recovery Fair, delivering medical and recovery support to nearly 1,000 patients over two days. Tourism Resilience: Jamaica will host World Travel Week (Oct 10–15) in Negril, alongside new Tourism Resilience Awards to share crisis-tested best practices. Education & Integrity: The Integrity Commission launched “Integrity Corners” in four schools to build early values of honesty and responsibility, while JN Foundation repairs returned safer classrooms for Kendal schools after Hurricane Melissa.

Water & Climate: The World Meteorological Organization warns the global water cycle is being thrown off balance by fossil-fuel pollution, with freshwater storage declining and more erratic swings between floods and drought. Energy & Resilience: Jamaica’s drought pressure is being managed by irrigation at JP Farms, which says bananas, plantains and pineapples will keep flowing to market. Clean Energy & Efficiency: Visual Vibe is moving its outdoor digital screen network off the national grid with solar, aiming to cut energy costs by at least half. Business Support for Sustainability: YEA and the Jamaica Employers’ Federation launched a Business Development Centre to help MSMEs with advisory services, training, mentorship and links to financing and markets. Science for National Challenges: Jamaica’s Scientific Research Council is reviewing its strategic direction, with focus areas including environmental technologies, food security and plant improvement, while also signing an MOU with the Jamaica Institution of Engineers to strengthen STEM and disaster resilience pathways. School Safety & Water Access: Hurricane Melissa repairs are restoring safer classrooms in Kendal, and a new hydration station programme is helping schools provide free cool, purified water during hot weather. Integrity & Values: The Integrity Commission rolled out “Integrity Corners” in four schools to build honesty and ethical behaviour from early childhood. Tourism Recovery: JAPEX 2026 shows how some hotels are selling their comeback after Hurricane Melissa, with phased reopenings expected into 2027. Coastal Care: Jamaica Environment Trust coordinates 170+ clean-ups for ICC Day 2026, highlighting the ongoing problem of littering and the need for shared responsibility.

Climate & Coasts: NASA/JPL-linked Sentinel-6 satellites are tracking a strengthening El Niño and sea-level changes to sharpen hurricane forecasts—timely for Jamaica’s storm and coastal planning. Sargassum & Waste: Reports from the region highlight heavy sargassum washups and the push to turn seaweed into compost or fertilizer instead of landfill. Solid Waste & Resilience: Jamaica’s Local Government Minister urged better disposal after Hurricane Melissa, pointing to blocked drains and gullies and the need to stop dumping that worsens flooding. Water & Drought: JP Farms says irrigation is holding the line on bananas, plantains and pineapples despite severe drought. Energy Savings: Visual Vibe is moving outdoor digital screens off the grid with solar to cut energy costs and reduce outage downtime. Education After Melissa: NET rehabilitated hurricane-damaged schools and handed hydration stations to students to keep learning safer and cooler. Health Systems: Jamaica is advancing capacity for public health threats using technology as it runs an International Health Regulations verification exercise. Funding for Innovation: FSC set up an Innovation Unit and regulatory sandbox to help firms test new financial products with consumer protection in mind. Tourism Recovery: JAPEX continues to showcase Jamaica’s post-Melissa hotel comeback, with major reopening timelines shifting into 2027.

Solid Waste Responsibility: Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie urged Jamaicans to dispose of solid waste properly after Hurricane Melissa exposed how blocked drains and gullies worsen flooding and environmental damage, with over 17 tonnes of garbage recovered in Westmoreland. School Recovery & Resilience: The National Education Trust continues restoring hurricane-damaged schools, including reroofing and repairs across St. James, St. Ann and Trelawny so students can return to safer learning spaces. Radiological Readiness: Jamaica is advancing its national radiological emergency response framework through a five-day IAEA training involving 40+ participants from key agencies, clarifying roles for nuclear or radiological incidents. Climate-Smart Water Use: LiveSoil launched during Climate Week NYC with a soil-first approach aimed at helping soil capture and retain water, reporting customer water reductions of up to 60%. Coastal Cleanup Mobilisation: Jamaica Environment Trust is coordinating International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026 with 170+ registered clean-ups, targeting plastic and marine litter before it reaches rivers, beaches and the sea. Tourism Resilience Push: Jamaica will host World Travel Week (Oct 10–15) and introduce Tourism Resilience Awards to spotlight climate and disaster-ready practices in the sector. Soil Health for Food Security: The ADOPT Caribbean project delivered agricultural kits and soil-health training to farmers in the region, including compost and organic mulch demonstrations to support climate-resilient farming. Women in Science: UNESCO WINGS Caribbean opened fellowship applications for mid-career and advanced women researchers and innovators, with awards of US$10,000 each and a Sept 30 deadline.

Climate & Weather Tech: NASA/JPL-linked Sentinel-6 satellites are tracking sea-level changes during a strengthening El Niño, aiming to improve hurricane forecasting for the Caribbean. Public Health Resilience: Jamaica’s Health Minister says technology can help protect a mobile health workforce and strengthen disease response as the country runs an International Health Regulations verification exercise. Coastal Cleanup & Plastic: Jamaica Environment Trust is coordinating 170+ clean-ups for International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026, warning that “away” ends up in gullies, rivers, beaches and the sea. Education After Hurricanes: The Opposition says only a small share of Hurricane Melissa–damaged schools are fully repaired, leaving unsafe conditions for students and teachers. Food Security & Soil: Jamaica’s agriculture push continues alongside regional soil-health work under ADOPT Caribbean, while LiveSoil launches a soil-first approach claiming major water savings. Tourism Resilience: Jamaica will host World Travel Week (Oct 10–15) and unveil Tourism Resilience Awards, spotlighting hurricane-ready practices. Marine Heat & Storm Risk: A new look at how climate change is intensifying Atlantic hurricanes highlights why coastal planning can’t wait. Local Climate Action: Grenada’s delegation trained in Punta Cana on sargassum management to reduce coastal health and environmental impacts.**

Food security push: Minister Floyd Green says Jamaica is strengthening its food future through infrastructure, innovation, and food-safety work, pointing to resilient farmers, fishers and agro-processors. Climate-smart farming: Under the ADOPT Caribbean soil-health project, IICA handed agricultural kits to farmers in St Vincent, with compost and organic mulch trials aimed at climate-resilient agriculture. Hurricane risk and power grids: A new push to rethink hurricane categories highlights how storms beyond Category 5 can still overwhelm poles, wires and substations—so utilities need plans that match real damage, not just wind speed. Tourism resilience and nature protection: Jamaica is set to host World Travel Week in Negril (Oct 10–15) with new Tourism Resilience Awards, while Dunn’s River Falls is slated for major redevelopment to expand visitor experience and add environmental defences. Water stress in drought: Mandeville Mayor Donovan Mitchell urges the government to tap unused Porus wells to ease Manchester’s water crisis. Coastal conservation idea: A new AI flood-modeling project aims to help coastal communities compare mitigation options and choose what fits local needs.

Coastal Cleanup Call: NEPA is inviting volunteers for International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026, with flagship beach cleanups at Shipwreck Beach (Sept. 19) and Hellshire Bay (Sept. 20), plus satellite sites—under the theme “Sea the Change, Away is A Place,” reminding people waste doesn’t disappear. Drought & Water Stress: Mandeville Mayor Donovan Mitchell urged the government to tap unused wells at Porus to ease Manchester’s drought, arguing there’s water available but not being utilised. Flood Resilience Tech: A new CHORUS project will use AI-based flood modelling and a public web platform to help coastal communities compare mitigation options and choose what fits their needs. Hurricane Season Reality Check: With the Atlantic unusually quiet—no hurricanes so far—meteorologists warn it’s not a sign the season is over, urging continued preparedness. Plastic Pollution Watch: Research on Tobago’s Atlantic-facing beaches found 97% of debris is plastic, with currents and winds driving where it lands. Community Support After Storms: Western Jamaica’s Jill Stewart MoBay City Run payout surged from a $10m target to over $17m, backing schools and recovery efforts after Hurricane Melissa. Public Beach Safety: NEPA says Copacabana Beach in Bull Bay is “in its natural state,” but residents warn it’s unsafe due to hazards and lack of funding for upgrades like lifeguards.

Tourism Resilience Push: Jamaica will host World Travel Week in Negril (Oct 10–15) and launch the Tourism Resilience Awards, spotlighting how the sector is rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa. Tourism Trade Recovery: JAPEX 2026 (Sept 14–17) returns to Ocho Rios, bringing international buyers and suppliers as western Jamaica continues recovery. Coastal Cleanup Call: NEPA is inviting volunteers for International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026, with flagship cleanups at Shipwreck Beach (Sept 19) and Hellshire Bay (Sept 20) under “Sea the Change, Away is A Place.” Water Under Pressure: Mandeville Mayor Donovan Mitchell urges the government to tap unused Porus wells to ease drought impacts in Manchester. Forests & People: A Forestry Department technician story highlights how conservation work is tied to community development and protecting Jamaica’s forests. Plastic Pollution Warning (Region): Tobago’s Atlantic-facing beaches are reported to be dominated by plastic debris, pointing to ocean currents and winds as key drivers.

ZOSO Update: Trinidad’s Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander says the Zones of Special Operations bill is being reshaped as a “holistic intervention” that pairs security with community development, and he’s waiting on the PM and AG for when the bill returns to Parliament. Public Beach Reality Check: A report on Copacabana Beach in Bull Bay, St Andrew highlights how “public” doesn’t always mean safe—residents point to debris, high tides and a lack of funding for upgrades and lifeguards. Drought & Water Access: Mandeville Mayor Donovan Mitchell urges the government to tap unused Porus wells to ease Manchester’s drought, arguing water is available but not being delivered. Food Security & Local Markets: A Caribbean food security conference push argues the region should prioritize feeding Caribbean and diaspora communities first, not chasing distant export markets. Forests & People: A Forestry Department profile spotlights a forest technician’s work linking conservation with community development. Coastal Cleanup Call: NEPA is inviting volunteers for International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026, with flagship cleanups at Shipwreck Beach (Sept 19) and Hellshire Bay (Sept 20). Marine Plastic Warning: Tobago’s Atlantic-facing beaches are seeing plastic-heavy debris, with research pointing to currents and winds as major drivers of where litter accumulates. Climate Resilience Funding: The CABRIC programme is opening grant support for locally led climate resilience projects in the Caribbean, including coastal erosion and ecosystem threats.

Coastal Cleanup Call: NEPA is inviting volunteers for International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026, “Sea the Change, Away is A Place,” with flagship cleanups at Shipwreck Beach (Palisadoes-Port Royal) on Sept. 19 and Hellshire Bay Beach on Sept. 20, plus satellite sites—highlighting how litter travels from drains to the sea. Water Security Debate: A new look at desalination argues it’s moving from “last resort” to a growing water-supply option for climate-stressed regions, while raising concerns about environmental and cost impacts. Climate Resilience Funding: The CABRIC programme is providing grant support for locally led climate resilience projects in The Bahamas (coastal erosion, extreme weather, ecosystem degradation), with Jamaica among participating countries. Housing + Sustainability Push: PM Andrew Holness broke ground on 700 homes at Greater Bernard Lodge and urged contractors to use modern, more sustainable building tech to speed delivery. Education Recovery Tension: PNPYO and G2K trade barbs over school disruption after Hurricane Melissa and whether NaRRA is necessary—both sides point to recovery planning and procurement reform. School Environment Controversy: Holness defended “learning closer to nature” comments, saying outdoor learning can support outcomes without replacing classrooms, amid criticism over damaged school facilities.

Health & Environment: Northwell Health says 9/11-related cancers are rising fast, with WTC Health Program cancer cases jumping from 177 (2023) to 235 (2025), warning diagnoses could keep climbing over the next 25 years. Disaster Response: St. Catherine firefighters reported 625 calls in August, saving an estimated J$1.62 billion in property, with bushfires the biggest share of incidents. Climate Resilience Funding: The CABRIC programme will provide Bahamian organisations grants for coastal erosion and extreme-weather resilience, with about US$25m across five countries and funding categories from small to large grants. Housing & Sustainable Delivery: PM Holness broke ground on 700 homes in St. Catherine and challenged local contractors to use modern, more sustainable building tech to speed delivery. Education & Climate-Ready Schools: Jamaica Teachers’ Association calls the country’s learning gaps an “education emergency,” urging a five-year recovery plan led by educators, while Holness defends “learning closer to nature” amid concerns about damaged schools after Hurricane Melissa. Accountability for Recovery: JAMRROC launched to provide public, independent oversight of NaRRA’s post-Hurricane Melissa reconstruction, including quarterly reports and an online portal. Food Security & Tourism: Tourism officials urged hotels to buy more Jamaican produce via digital supply links and forward procurement, tying climate-resilient farming to visitor spending. Agriculture Exports & Clean Tech: ICENS research on gamma irradiation aims to help Jamaican farmers extend shelf life and meet export requirements, while also exploring crop improvements for climate stress. Marine Life Warning: A new coral reef report says marine heat waves are shrinking recovery time after bleaching, putting hard coral cover under more pressure.

Climate & Resilience Accountability: Jamaica launched the Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee (JAMRROC) to provide real-time, public scrutiny of post-Hurricane Melissa rebuilding via NaRRA, including quarterly reports and an online portal for costs, timelines, and delays. School Heat & Outdoor Learning Debate: Prime Minister Andrew Holness defended “learning closer to nature” after criticism over students studying under trees, while the Jamaica Teachers’ Association pushed back, warning that temporary classrooms may be inadequate as heat worsens with climate change. Food Security & Local Supply Chains: Tourism State Minister Tova Hamilton urged hotels and farmers to treat tourism as agriculture’s key partner—expanding use of ALEX digital linkages, forward procurement contracts, and more Jamaican produce on resort menus. Coral Reef Warning: New research says marine heat waves are shortening the recovery time for coral reefs to just about five or six years, contributing to major declines in living coral cover. Nuclear Science for Exports: UWI’s ICENS says its gamma irradiator work could help Jamaican farmers extend shelf life and meet pest-control needs for overseas markets, while crop mutagenesis research aims to build climate-resilient varieties. Aviation Planning: Jamaica is moving ahead on its first Civil Aviation Master Plan, with environmental protection included in the long-term framework. Community Safety & Wellbeing: CPFSA removed five abandoned babies from Spanish Town Hospital and launched a bully-free poster competition for children.

Hurricane Recovery Accountability: Prime Minister Andrew Holness launched the Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee (JAMRROC) to provide “real-time” public scrutiny of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), including quarterly reports and an online portal showing what’s being built, costs, timelines, and delays. Climate Impacts on Nature: New research warns coral reefs are losing recovery time as marine heat waves intensify—reefs that once had decades now get only about five or six years between major bleaching events. Food Security & Exports: UWI’s ICENS says its gamma irradiator work could help Jamaican farmers extend shelf life and meet pest-control needs for export markets, while crop mutagenesis research aims to build varieties more resilient to disease, drought, and climate stress. Agriculture Funding Push: A lecturer urges Jamaica to pool funding from TEF and NHT, plus support from the CDB and EU, to invest about J$4 billion annually to strengthen agriculture and processing. Tourism Innovation: TEF welcomed the third cohort of its Tourism Innovation Incubator, backing 15 entrepreneurs with a focus on tech, execution, and authentic Jamaican products. School Heat & Temporary Classrooms: The Jamaica Teachers’ Association challenges the government over plans to retrofit hot classrooms and the quality of temporary structures as temperatures worsen. Marine Heat & Resilience: The same heat-driven pressure is highlighted as a broader Caribbean risk to ecosystems and long-term resilience. Community Support: The Jamaica Chinese Federation rushed about $2.5 million in supplies and equipment to Kew Park Primary School in Westmoreland after reports of roof damage and shortages. Reparations Legal Move: Jamaica is pursuing a legal pathway through the Privy Council, seeking Britain’s responsibility for slavery and colonial harms to be examined.

School Heat & Temporary Classrooms: Jamaica Teachers’ Association president LaSonja Harrison is pushing Prime Minister Andrew Holness on the “plan” to cool classrooms and improve the quality of temporary structures after Hurricane Melissa, warning that climate-driven heat makes “learning under trees” a short-term fix, not a strategy. Rebuilding Progress: The Ministry of Education says 57 priority-one Hurricane Melissa schools are fully repaired, with another 95 due by end of September and 34 by December—part of a broader “build back better” push. Disaster Recovery Priorities: Jamaicans for Justice’ Mickel Jackson says NaRRA oversight must prioritize western Jamaica (St Elizabeth and beyond), not just Kingston and St Catherine, and warns against “romanticising” outdoor learning without safety and resources. Water for Farmers Amid Dry Conditions: Desnoes & Geddes Foundation (Red Stripe) donated 300 repurposed water drums via RADA to support 75 Portland farmers, boosting on-farm water storage as drought pressures agriculture. Climate-Resilience Funding (Bahamas): CABRIC grants open for coastal resilience projects, with up to US$5m available per country and special focus on erosion and extreme weather impacts. Tourism Resilience: Jamaica welcomed 2.34 million visitors and about US$2.5b in earnings through Aug. 31, even while operating at roughly 70% of pre-Melissa room capacity. Community Mapping for Recovery: SDC is using asset maps for 775 communities to guide targeted interventions and track what Hurricane Melissa damaged or changed. Hurricane Risk & Power Grids: A new look at “beyond Category 5” extreme storms highlights what this means for electric utilities and long-term grid planning.

Hurricane Melissa school recovery: Jamaica’s Ministry of Education says 57 “priority one” schools damaged by Hurricane Melissa are fully repaired, with another 95 expected by end of September and 34 by December—aiming to have about 60% ready by the first term, while officials stress “building back better” and ask for patience as some learners still attend in mixed or outdoor settings. Food security & climate resilience: Local and international experts and farmers met at the 10th International Food Security and Sovereignty Conference to push resilient, sustainable food systems as climate change strains production and increases reliance on imports. Community planning with disaster readiness: The Social Development Commission is using asset mapping across 775 communities to track local resources and facilities, helping target interventions and assess what Hurricane Melissa damaged compared with pre-storm conditions. Waste facility fire investigation: NSWMA says it’s responding to a fire at the Haddon Disposal Facility in St. Ann for about 48 hours, with preliminary signs suggesting it may have been deliberately set; the authority is working with the Fire Brigade and awaiting investigation findings. Water support for drought-hit farmers: The Desnoes and Geddes Foundation, via RADA, donated 300 repurposed water drums to 75 Portland farmers to boost water storage and help manage dry conditions. Climate grants for coastal resilience: Jamaica is among five Caribbean countries eligible for the CABRIC programme, offering grant funding (up to US$500,000) for locally led climate resilience projects, including coastal nature-based solutions and early warning systems. Tourism resilience push: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett was selected to co-chair World Economic Forum Tourism Day, and he’s also advancing Saudi Fund for Development talks focused on tourism training and post-Melissa reconstruction support.