AGP Executive Report

Regional Mobility & Identity: New Henley Passport Index figures put India at mobility score 56 (visa-free access to 56 destinations), while Pakistan sits at 100th with visa-free access to 30 destinations including Montserrat—highlighting how shifting visa deals can move rankings even when access stays similar. OECS Tourism Policy: OECS officials met in Saint Lucia to push community-based tourism as a growth engine, backed by the EU’s 11th EDF, with a focus on turning local communities into the main beneficiaries. Courts & Governance: OECS leaders agreed to raise the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges’ retirement age from 65 to 70, aiming to ease recruitment pressures. Montserrat Health & Emergency Services: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is calling for public and Assembly support for a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation services, citing unresolved regulatory and operational gaps since 2019. Community Development: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing to support income and entrepreneurship. Vatican Leadership: Pope Leo XIV appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli as prefect of a major human development dicastery, continuing a push for women in top Vatican roles.

Montserrat Health & Emergency Services: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing a Legislative Assembly resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, arguing key regulatory and infrastructure gaps can be fixed quickly after service stopped in 2019. Regional Justice & Governance: OECS leaders agreed to raise the retirement age for Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges from 65 to 70, citing recruitment and expertise challenges. OECS Leadership: The OECS has reappointed Dr. Didacus Jules to a fourth term as Director General, praising his role in food sovereignty, digital transformation, healthier communities, and education reform. Regional Tourism Policy: OECS tourism officials met in Saint Lucia to advance community-based tourism, supported by the EU’s 11th EDF RIGHT programme, with a focus on turning local communities into the main architects and beneficiaries. Regional Maritime & Security: Montserrat’s Harbourmaster Joseph O’Garro joined the Red Ensign Group conference in Hamilton, where British maritime administrations discussed strategy, future fuels, and security. Local Community Development: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Vatican Appointments: Pope Leo XIV named Salesian Sister Alessandra Smerilli as prefect for integral human development, continuing a push for more women in top Vatican leadership roles.

Health & Rights: A new Spain-based study on food allergy quality of life finds women are hit hardest, especially those with multiple food allergies and a history of severe reactions—an issue that should matter to Montserrat’s public health planning. Regional Governance: OECS leaders reappointed Dr. Didacus Jules for a fourth term and agreed to raise the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges’ retirement age from 65 to 70, aiming to ease recruitment pressures and strengthen justice capacity. Emergency Services: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing a Legislative Assembly resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, arguing key requirements could be met quickly. Community & Women’s Empowerment: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Vatican Leadership Watch: Pope Leo XIV named Sister Alessandra Smerilli to lead the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, continuing a broader shift toward women in top church roles.

Montserrat Politics: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pressing the Legislative Assembly to back a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable, continuous night-time medical evacuation flights, arguing key regulatory and operational gaps still prevent resumption despite the service being grounded since 2019. Regional Governance: OECS leaders have approved Dr. Didacus Jules’s reappointment for a fourth term as Director General, while also agreeing to raise the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges’ retirement age from 65 to 70 to ease recruitment pressures. OECS Integration: At the 78th OECS Authority meeting, Gaston Browne took over the chairmanship and called for an “OECS renaissance” focused on bold, transformative leadership and faster implementation of shared priorities. Community & Economy: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and small enterprise. Local Milestone: Government honoured six Montserrat centenarians at a special ceremony celebrating lives, service, and longevity.

Vatican Leadership Shake-Up: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Italian Salesian nun Alessandra Smerilli as prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, effective Sept. 1, making her the third woman to lead a Vatican department; Cardinal Fabio Baggio is named pro-prefect for the Laudato si’ higher education work, as the Holy See continues reshaping senior roles. Local Recognition: Montserrat’s Office of the Premier honoured six living centenarians (100+ years) at Brades, celebrating their community contributions and longevity. Regional Justice Reform: OECS leaders agreed to raise the retirement age for Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges from 65 to 70, citing recruitment and expertise challenges. Health & Safety Push: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is urging support for a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation services, tied to the 29th anniversary of the 1997 volcanic disaster. Women’s Skills Initiative: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing to build income and entrepreneurship. Maritime Policy Talk: Montserrat’s harbourmaster joined the Red Ensign Group conference in Hamilton, focusing on shipping strategy, future fuels, and security.

Maritime Policy: Montserrat’s Harbourmaster Joseph O’Garro joined more than 70 delegates at the 37th Red Ensign Group conference in Hamilton, where British maritime administrations and Overseas Territories discussed shipping strategy, future fuels, security, and regulatory priorities amid rising fuel costs. Public Service & Governance: Montserrat’s wider region marked Public Service Week 2026 with a push for efficiency, accountability, and people-centred service delivery, echoing the call for stronger performance across public institutions. Health & Emergency Services: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is urging the Legislative Assembly to back a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights—paused since 2019—arguing key requirements could be addressed quickly. Regional Justice: OECS leaders agreed to raise the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges’ retirement age from 65 to 70, aiming to ease recruitment pressures. Community Development: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” a women’s empowerment sewing project funded via a Rotary District Grant to support income and entrepreneurship.

Montserrat Health & Safety: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing the Legislative Assembly to back a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable, continuous night-time medical evacuation services—flights stopped in November 2019 after safety concerns over the BN-2 Islander aircraft, and Romeo says key regulatory and operational gaps could be fixed within weeks. OECS Judiciary: OECS leaders agreed to raise the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges’ retirement age from 65 to 70, citing recruitment and expertise challenges. Regional Integration: At the OECS Authority’s 78th meeting in Antigua, Chairmanship shifted to Gaston Browne, who called for an “OECS renaissance” and faster implementation of shared goals. Eastern Caribbean Currency: Grenadian sprint star Kirani James will replace Queen Elizabeth II on the EC$5 banknote as part of ECCB’s redesign, with notes expected in circulation in 2027. Community & Women’s Skills: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills to support income and entrepreneurship. Public Service Focus: Saint Lucia marked Public Service Week 2026 with calls for efficiency, accountability, professionalism, and people-centred service delivery.

Montserrat Politics: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing for a Legislative Assembly-backed resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation services, marking 29 years since the June 25, 1997 volcanic disaster; he says key regulatory and operational requirements still block the service, though he argues many fixes could be done quickly. OECS Courts & Governance: OECS leaders have agreed to raise the retirement age for Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges from 65 to 70, citing recruitment difficulties when judges retire at 65. OECS Regional Leadership: At the OECS Authority’s 78th meeting in Antigua, chairmanship shifted to Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who called for an “OECS renaissance” focused on bold implementation across economic development, integration, climate resilience, and security. Eastern Caribbean Currency: Grenada’s Kirani James will replace Queen Elizabeth II on the EC$5 banknote as part of ECCB currency redesign, expected to enter circulation in 2027. Community & Skills: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” a women’s empowerment project training participants in sewing to support income and entrepreneurship.

Regional Disaster Readiness: UWI’s Seismic Research Centre urged calm after major Venezuela earthquakes, saying the events may have shifted stress across the Caribbean Plate but there’s no direct link between separate faults—still, the public should stay prepared as monitoring shows a small rise in regional quakes. OECS Justice Reform: OECS leaders agreed to raise the retirement age for Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges from 65 to 70, citing recruitment challenges and expected changes in the coming weeks. Montserrat Health Access: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing a Legislative Assembly resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, noting flights stopped in 2019 and that key requirements still need to be completed. Women’s Economic Skills: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills through a Rotary District Grant and local partners. Public Service Performance Push: Public Service Week 2026 highlighted efficiency, accountability, professionalism, and people-centred delivery, with Minister Stephenson King calling for innovation and stronger collaboration. Regional Integration Agenda: OECS marked 45 years of integration and opened its 78th Authority meeting with a renewed push for an “OECS renaissance” on trade, connectivity, resilience, and security.

Public Service Week 2026: Montserrat’s regional neighbours are spotlighting public-sector reform, with Saint Lucia’s Public Service Minister Stephenson King calling for innovation, collaboration, and a people-centred culture of efficiency and accountability. OECS Justice Reform: OECS leaders agreed to raise the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges’ retirement age from 65 to 70, aiming to ease recruitment pressures and keep expertise in place. Montserrat Health & Emergency Care: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing the Legislative Assembly to back a resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable, continuous night-time medical evacuation flights—citing outstanding regulatory and operational requirements since the 2019 suspension. Women’s Economic Empowerment: The Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills through a Rotary District Grant and local partners. Regional Integration Focus: OECS marked 45 years of integration and opened its 78th Authority meeting under new chair Gaston Browne, with priorities including economic development, climate resilience, security, and freedom of movement.

Night Medical Evacuation Push: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is urging Montserrat’s Legislative Assembly to back a resolution calling for the urgent restoration of safe, reliable, continuous night-time medical evacuation flights, noting that night flights stopped in 2019 after safety concerns over the BN-2 Islander, and arguing key requirements could be addressed quickly. Women’s Economic Skills: The Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” a Rotary-funded project training women in sewing and marketable skills with the aim of boosting income and entrepreneurship. Regional Courts: OECS leaders agreed to raise the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges’ retirement age from 65 to 70, citing recruitment challenges. Regional Governance: OECS marked 45 years of integration and opened its 78th Authority meeting with a call for an “OECS renaissance” focused on implementation. ECCB Outreach: The ECCB highlighted the role of its Agency Offices across member states, including Montserrat’s long-running office, in supporting currency operations and public engagement. Public Service Culture: Public Service Week 2026 messaging emphasized efficiency, accountability, professionalism, and people-centred service delivery.

Night Medical Evacuation Push: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is urging the Legislative Assembly and the public to back a resolution calling for the urgent restoration of safe, reliable, continuous night-time medical evacuation services, with the matter expected to be tabled at the June 30 sitting; he says several regulatory, operational and infrastructure requirements still block resumption since flights stopped in November 2019. OECS Justice Reform: OECS leaders have agreed to raise the retirement age for Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges from 65 to 70, citing recruitment and expertise challenges when judges retire at 65. Regional Governance Agenda: At the OECS Authority’s 78th meeting in Antigua, chairmanship shifted to Gaston Browne as leaders focused on trade, connectivity, economic resilience, climate resilience and regional security. ECCB on the Ground: The ECCB highlighted the role of its Agency Offices across member states, stressing they support currency operations and outreach rather than acting as commercial banks. Community & Women’s Skills: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” a women’s empowerment project training participants in sewing and marketable skills aimed at income and entrepreneurship. Public Service Week: Public Service Week 2026 wrapped up with calls for efficiency, accountability and people-centred service delivery.

OECS Judicial Reform: OECS leaders agreed to raise the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges’ retirement age from 65 to 70, with OECS chair Gaston Browne saying the change is meant to ease recruitment problems and will be reflected in upcoming adjustments. Montserrat Health & Emergency Services: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing a Legislative Assembly resolution to urgently restore safe, reliable night-time medical evacuation flights, noting flights stopped in 2019 and that remaining requirements could be addressed quickly. Regional Integration Focus: At the OECS Authority’s 78th meeting in Antigua, Browne took over the chairmanship and called for an “OECS renaissance” with bold, transformative leadership on economic development, climate resilience, security, and integration. Women’s Skills & Jobs: The Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills through a Rotary District Grant and local partners. Local Community Health: Basil Chambers marks his 60th with a Men’s Health Fair on July 3 in Brades, offering free screenings including prostate checks. Global/Local Context: A new public exhibition highlights the growing strategic importance of critical raw materials as demand rises for clean energy, tech, and defence.

Parliament & Health Services: Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing a resolution to restore safe, reliable, continuous night-time medical evacuation flights, with the matter expected to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly on June 30—Romeo says key regulatory and operational gaps still need fixing before service can resume. Judiciary & Regional Policy: OECS leaders agreed to raise the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judges’ retirement age from 65 to 70, citing recruitment and expertise challenges, with Montserrat listed among the ECSC jurisdictions. OECS Governance: At the 78th OECS Authority meeting in Antigua, chairmanship shifted to Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who called for an “OECS renaissance” focused on implementation across trade, connectivity, climate resilience, security, and food/energy security. Public Finance & Pensions: Montserrat has begun a comprehensive pension system review, with TELUS Health supporting a 17-member committee led by the Deputy Governor’s Office, aiming to modernise and stabilise benefits and move toward a more transparent defined contribution model. Women’s Skills & Community: Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” training women in sewing and marketable skills through a Rotary District Grant and local partnership, targeting income and entrepreneurship. Regional Central Banking: ECCB highlighted the role of its Agency Offices across member states, including Montserrat’s office opened in 1991, stressing they support the ECCB’s mandate rather than operate as commercial banks. Health Recognition: WHO’s World Health Assembly updates included Montserrat among territories recognised for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, HBV and syphilis. Climate & Disaster Preparedness: A new report-style piece links worsening extreme weather and hurricane impacts across the Caribbean to the need for stronger preparedness planning.

Health & Safety (Night Medical Evac): Former Premier Donaldson Romeo is pushing the Legislative Assembly to back an urgent resolution to restore safe, reliable, continuous night-time medical evacuation services, with the June 30 sitting expected to table the measure; he says key regulatory, operational and infrastructure gaps still block resumption since flights stopped in November 2019. Local Development (Women’s Skills): The Rotary Club of Montserrat launched “Stitches for Success,” a Rotary District Grant-funded project training women in sewing, garment construction, and turning skills into income, in partnership with Unsewcial founder Kristen Taylor Hilton. Public Service & Governance (BVI/Montserrat/OTs): Deputy Governors and heads of public service from British Overseas Territories met in Bermuda and are expected to move toward a Memorandum of Understanding to boost talent development through secondments and attachments. Regional Integration (OECS): OECS leaders opened the 78th Authority meeting in Antigua under new chair Gaston Browne, calling for an “OECS renaissance” focused on implementation across economic development, integration, climate resilience, security, and food/energy security. Finance & Policy (Pensions Reform): Montserrat has begun a comprehensive pension review, with TELUS Health supporting a 17-member committee to modernise and stabilise retirement benefits and shift toward a more transparent defined contribution model.

Montserrat Pensions Review: The Government of Montserrat has started a comprehensive pensions reform, with TELUS Health providing technical support and a 17-member committee led by the Office of the Deputy Governor aiming to modernise and stabilise retirement benefits across public and private sectors, shifting toward a more transparent defined contribution model. Ferry Uncertainty: Questions are growing over future ferry service to Montserrat as private operators market routes, while the Government says it is still completing its long-awaited ferry tender and is not currently running a subsidised service. Regional Public Service Cooperation: Deputy governors and heads of public service from British Overseas Territories, including Montserrat, met in Bermuda and are expected to enter a Memorandum of Understanding to boost talent development through secondments and attachments. Tourism Push (Local Angle): A travel feature spotlights Montserrat as a safe, uncrowded alternative for intrepid visitors, leaning on the island’s dramatic volcanic history and guided access to the exclusion zone. Health & Community: Broadcaster Basil Chambers turns 60 by launching a men’s health fair on July 3 in Brades, offering free screenings including prostate assessments, with registration already drawing strong interest. OECS Integration: OECS leaders marked 45 years of regional integration and opened the 78th Authority meeting in Antigua under new chair Gaston Browne, calling for an “OECS renaissance” focused on implementation.