AGP Executive Report

Performing Arts: Sarasota Cuban Ballet brings “Classic + Contemporary” to its auditorium this weekend, spotlighting “Canto Vital” (premiered by Ballet National de Cuba in 1973) and its rare all-male cast—four dancers that also help the company’s women sharpen partnering skills. Regional Diplomacy: Antigua and Barbuda PM Browne met the new French ambassador to discuss climate action, visa-free travel, and wider regional cooperation, including closer links with Guadeloupe and Martinique through transport, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. Culture & Music Memory: A commentary piece looks back at Dominica’s 1970s/1980s disco era, recreating the “Warehouse Disco” atmosphere and the island’s deep musical heritage. Environment & Heritage: Saint Lucia communities including Babonneau, Mabouya Valley, and Monchy are being considered for UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, with public consultations focused on sustainable development and protecting culture alongside nature. Community Notice: Death announcement for Nigel Ronald Sanford (Pumpy/Page) of St. Cyr, Kalinago Territory.

Caribbean Island-Hopping Deals: A travel roundup highlights twin-centre bookings up 20% this winter, with popular pairings like Grenada–St Lucia and Antigua–St Kitts, plus romantic options such as Barbados with a Canouan add-on. Nature & Adventure Travel: A travel feature makes the case for Dominica, “The Nature Island,” spotlighting rainforests, rivers, waterfalls, and volcanic hot springs—plus the ease of getting there via nonstop flights. Women in Sport Sailing: Globe40 2028-2029 coverage spotlights Sophie Delannoy’s Class40 round-the-world push, framed as team-driven and purpose-led with a predominantly female crew. Caribbean Music Heritage: A commentary revisits Dominica’s 1970s/80s disco scene through “Warehouse Disco” and the island’s music culture. Culture + Environment Conservation: Saint Lucia is exploring UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status for Babonneau, Mabouya Valley, and Monchy, with public consultations focused on sustainable development and local heritage. Regional Diplomacy: PM Browne and the new French ambassador discuss climate action, visa-free travel, and deeper cooperation across the region, including closer links with Guadeloupe and Martinique. Community Notice: Death announcement for Nigel Ronald Sanford of St. Cyr, Kalinago Territory.

Caribbean Travel & Nature: A fresh travel reflection spotlights Dominica—often confused with the Dominican Republic—praising its rainforests, rivers, waterfalls, and volcanic hot springs, and sharing the “explorer” feel of driving through Roseau and beyond. Sailing & Women’s Sport: Globe40 2028-2029 coverage features Sophie Delannoy, moving from the Mini Transat into a Class40 round-the-world bid with a predominantly female team and a goal of fighting at the front. Music History & Island Culture: A nostalgic commentary takes readers back to Dominica’s 1981 “Warehouse Disco,” aiming to preserve the 1970s/80s disco fever as lived feeling, not just history. Environment & Heritage: Saint Lucia communities including Babonneau, Mabouya Valley, and Monchy are being considered for UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status through public consultations tied to sustainable development and culture-nature links. Regional Diplomacy & Mobility: PM Browne meets the new French ambassador on climate action, visa-free travel, university cooperation, and stronger ties with Guadeloupe and Martinique through transport, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. Obituary: Nigel Ronald Sanford (Pumpy/Page), 60, of St. Cyr in the Kalinago Territory, is remembered with a wide network of family across Dominica and Guadeloupe.

Caribbean Music Memories: A new commentary revisits Dominica’s 1981 “Warehouse Disco,” tracing how Cadence-Lypso and disco-era sounds like Exile One, Grammacks, Black Affairs and Midnight Groovers shaped island nights and local identity. UNESCO & Community Nature-Culture: Saint Lucia’s UNESCO team is consulting residents about adding Babonneau, Mabouya Valley and Monchy to the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere programme, aiming for sustainable development that protects biodiversity while supporting culture and local livelihoods. Regional Diplomacy & Education Links: PM Browne met the new French ambassador to discuss climate action, visa-free travel, and regional cooperation, including closer university partnerships (France and UWI Five Islands), plus stronger ties with Guadeloupe and Martinique through transport, trade and people-to-people exchanges. Obituary: Nigel Ronald Sanford (Pumpy/Page), 60, of St. Cyr, Kalinago Territory, is remembered with a wide family network spanning Dominica and Guadeloupe.

Caribbean Music Memory: A new Dominica piece takes readers back to the 1981 “Warehouse Disco,” tracing how local cadence-lypso and disco fever turned a sugar mill into a dance-floor landmark. UNESCO & Nature-Culture: Saint Lucia is exploring UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve status for Babonneau, Mabouya Valley, and Monchy, with public consultations highlighting biodiversity, heritage, and sustainable community development. Community Notice: The passing of Nigel Ronald Sanford (“Pumpy”/“Page”), age 60, is announced, with family ties spanning Dominica and Guadeloupe. Regional Diplomacy & Education: PM Browne and the new French ambassador discussed climate action, visa-free travel, university partnerships (including exchanges with France and UWI Five Islands), and closer links with Guadeloupe and Martinique through transport, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.

Obituary: Nigel Ronald Sanford, also known as “Pumpy” or “Page,” has died at 60. From St. Cyr in the Kalinago Territory, he is survived by his wife Antoinette, his mother Beulah, and a large family across Guadeloupe and the wider region, including children in Dominica and Guadeloupe, grandchildren, and many siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Regional Diplomacy & Culture: PM Browne met the new French Ambassador to discuss climate action, visa-free travel, and regional cooperation. Talks also covered closer university links between France and The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, student exchanges, and academic programmes, plus stronger ties with Guadeloupe and Martinique through transportation, trade, and people-to-people exchanges—highlighting shared cultural connections like Guadeloupean participation in Antigua’s Carnival.

EU Outer Regions Strategy: The European Commission has adopted a new strategic vision for its outermost regions, including Guadeloupe, with targeted rule adaptations meant to boost support, resilience, and fairer opportunities for local communities. Regional Cooperation & Mobility: Antigua and Barbuda’s PM Browne met the new French ambassador to discuss climate action, closer university links (including exchanges with UWI Five Islands Campus), and stronger ties with Guadeloupe and Martinique through transport, trade, and people-to-people exchanges, alongside concerns around visa-free access and investment programmes. Caribbean Food & Culture: In London, The Good Front Room’s Dalston restaurant launched a new menu built around “lickle plates” and “big plates,” with dishes inspired by Caribbean food traditions—explicitly including Guadeloupe-inspired colombo de poulet—aimed at a more relaxed, social dining experience. Ocean Sports Spotlight: Italian American skipper Francesca Clapcich and 11th Hour Racing finished second in the inaugural Ocean Race Atlantic, a New York-to-Lorient sprint, in a result decided by minutes.

EU Outer Regions Strategy: The European Commission has adopted a new strategic vision for its outermost regions, explicitly naming Guadeloupe and Martinique, with a regulatory package meant to better fit local realities and unlock more support, resilience, and fair opportunities. Regional Cooperation & Mobility: In talks with PM Browne, the new French ambassador discussed climate action, visa-free travel concerns, and closer ties across the Caribbean—plus stronger links between universities (including exchanges with the UWI Five Islands Campus) and people-to-people connections between Guadeloupe and the region. Caribbean Food & Lifestyle: In London, The Good Front Room’s Dalston restaurant rolled out a new menu built around “lickle plates” and “big plates,” with dishes inspired by Caribbean foodways including Guadeloupe (colombo de poulet) alongside regional classics like jerk chicken and doubles. Sport & Ocean Culture: Italian American sailor Francesca Clapcich’s 11th Hour Racing team finished second in the inaugural Ocean Race Atlantic from New York to Lorient, a close finish that highlights the growing visibility of women in offshore sailing.

Regional Diplomacy: PM Browne met the new French ambassador to discuss climate action, visa-free travel concerns, and deeper regional cooperation, including closer links with Guadeloupe and Martinique in transport, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. EU Outer Regions Strategy: The European Commission unveiled a new strategy for EU outermost regions—explicitly naming Guadeloupe and Martinique—aimed at adapting EU rules to local realities, boosting access to the single market, and strengthening resilience on climate, health, education, and social inclusion. Caribbean Food & Culture: In London, The Good Front Room launched a new menu built around “lickle plates” and “big plates,” with dishes inspired across the Caribbean, including Guadeloupe influences like colombo de poulet. Maritime & Sports Spotlight: Italian American skipper Francesca Clapcich’s 11th Hour Racing team finished second in the Ocean Race Atlantic, underlining the growing visibility of women in offshore sailing. Travel Lifestyle: Explora Journeys announced its 2026–27 Caribbean season with multi-island voyages, pitching “no single Caribbean” experiences across the region.

EU Outer Regions Strategy: The European Commission has adopted a new vision for its outermost regions, including Guadeloupe and Martinique, with targeted rule changes to boost resilience, access to the single market, and social equity—covering areas like agriculture, fisheries, migration, taxation, connectivity, renewable energy, and climate adaptation. Regional Cooperation & Mobility: Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Browne met the new French ambassador to discuss climate action, visa-free travel concerns, and closer ties with the Caribbean—highlighting people-to-people links and transport/trade cooperation with Guadeloupe and Martinique. Food & Community After Loss: In London, The Good Front Room has launched a new “lickle plates” and “big plates” menu inspired across the Caribbean, including Guadeloupe dishes like colombo de poulet, as the restaurant moves into “phase two” after Dom Taylor’s death. Sport & Sailing Pride: Italian American skipper Francesca Clapcich and 11th Hour Racing finished second in the Ocean Race Atlantic, a tight sprint to Lorient—an achievement that keeps the spotlight on women in offshore sailing. Travel & Caribbean Season: Explora Journeys announced its 2026–27 Caribbean sailings, with multi-island itineraries starting from Miami and featuring destinations across the region.

EU Outer Regions Strategy: The European Commission has adopted a new strategic vision for the EU’s outermost regions, including Guadeloupe, with targeted rule adaptations in areas like agriculture, fisheries, migration and taxation, aiming to boost competitiveness, resilience, connectivity, renewable energy, and access to housing, healthcare and education. Regional Cooperation & Mobility: Antigua and Barbuda’s PM Browne met officials to discuss closer ties with the wider Caribbean, including Guadeloupe and Martinique, highlighting people-to-people links (like Carnival participation), plus climate, security, health, training and patient care, alongside concerns around visa-free access and investment programmes. Caribbean Food & Culture: In London, The Good Front Room is moving into “phase two” after Dom Taylor’s death, launching a relaxed new menu of “lickle plates” and “big plates” with dishes inspired by Caribbean foodways including Guadeloupe colombo de poulet. Travel Spotlight: Explora Journeys unveiled its 2026–27 Caribbean season with voyages across multiple islands from mid-October 2026 to March 2027. Maritime Sport: Italian American skipper Francesca Clapcich and 11th Hour Racing finished second in the Ocean Race Atlantic, a tight finish that underlines the region’s growing presence in international sailing.

Regional Diplomacy: PM Browne met the new French ambassador to discuss climate action, visa-free travel concerns, security and health cooperation, and closer university links between France and the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, with transport, trade and people-to-people ties also on the agenda. EU Outer Regions Strategy: The European Commission unveiled a new strategic vision for the EU’s outermost regions including Guadeloupe and Martinique, proposing targeted rule adaptations in areas like agriculture, fisheries, migration and taxation, alongside goals for stronger connectivity, climate resilience, access to housing and healthcare, and fairer opportunities. Caribbean Culture & Food: After Dom Taylor’s death, The Good Front Room launched “phase two” with a refreshed menu at Dalston: Caribbean “lickle plates” and “big plates” drawing on regional flavors including Guadeloupe colombo de poulet, plus Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica influences. Maritime Lifestyle: Explora Journeys announced its 2026-27 Caribbean season across two ships, with itineraries starting from Miami and Québec City and stops across major and lesser-known islands. Safety & Travel Awareness: UNESCO warned of near-100% odds of a Mediterranean tsunami wave over 1 meter within 30 years, highlighting the need for fast coastal evacuation planning.

Regional Diplomacy: PM Browne met the new French ambassador to discuss climate action, visa-free travel, and deeper cooperation across the Caribbean, including closer links with Guadeloupe and Martinique on transport, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. EU Outer Regions Strategy: Brussels adopted a new strategic vision for the EU’s outermost regions, explicitly naming Guadeloupe and Martinique, with plans to adapt EU rules to local realities and boost resilience, connectivity, education, healthcare, and climate adaptation. Culture & Community Dining: After Dominic Taylor’s death, The Good Front Room is moving into “phase two” with a new head chef, Amani Garcia, and a Caribbean-wide menu built around “lickle plates” and “big plates,” including Guadeloupe-inspired colombo de poulet. Sport & Maritime Lifestyle: Italian American skipper Francesca Clapcich and 11th Hour Racing finished second in the Ocean Race Atlantic, a fast sprint from New York to Lorient, highlighting women in offshore sailing. Travel & Caribbean Season: Explora Journeys unveiled its 2026-27 Caribbean season, with sailings across multiple islands from mid-October 2026 to March 2027. Disaster Preparedness Watch: UNESCO warned of a near 100% chance of a Mediterranean tsunami wave exceeding 1 meter over the next 30 years, prompting renewed focus on evacuation routes and rapid alerts.

Caribbean Food & Community: The Good Front Room in Dalston has launched a new “lickle plates” and “big plates” menu, led by head chef Amani Garcia, mixing Jamaican roots with flavors inspired by Guyana, Trinidad and Guadeloupe—think escovitch soft shell crab, doubles, pepperpot sliders and a Guadeloupe-style colombo de poulet—served in a more relaxed, social way to encourage repeat visits. EU Outer Regions Strategy: Brussels adopted a new strategic vision for the EU’s outermost regions, explicitly naming Guadeloupe, and proposing targeted rule adaptations to boost competitiveness, resilience and social equity, with support across areas like agriculture, fisheries, migration and taxation. Remote Areas, Real Life: A parallel EU push aims to strengthen geostrategic remote territories through better access to the single market, education and jobs, plus climate and environmental action. Caribbean Travel Season: Explora Journeys unveiled its 2026–27 Caribbean season across two ships, with sailings from Miami and stops including Saint Barthélemy and Saint Lucia. Sport & Sailing: Italian American skipper Francesca Clapcich’s 11th Hour Racing finished second in the Ocean Race Atlantic, narrowly missing first by minutes.

Guadeloupe Food & Community: The Good Front Room in Dalston has launched a new “lickle plates” and “big plates” menu after founder Dom Taylor’s death, keeping Jamaican cooking at the heart while widening the Caribbean map with dishes inspired by Guyana, Trinidad and Guadeloupe—like colombo de poulet and jerk chicken with plantain jam—served in a more relaxed, social way. EU Outer Regions Strategy: Brussels adopted a new strategic vision for the EU’s outermost regions, explicitly naming Guadeloupe, and proposing targeted rule changes to boost competitiveness, access to the single market, resilience, connectivity, renewable energy, and social support. Caribbean Travel Buzz: Explora Journeys unveiled its 2026–27 Caribbean season across two ships, with itineraries starting from Miami and including stops such as Saint Barthélemy and Saint Lucia. Ocean Racing Spotlight: Team Francesca Clapcich’s 11th Hour Racing finished second in the Ocean Race Atlantic, a fast Atlantic sprint that put the spotlight on international sailing talent. Safety & Climate Watch: UNESCO warns there’s close to a 100% chance of a Mediterranean tsunami wave exceeding 1 meter over the next 30 years, renewing attention on coastal preparedness.

EU Outer Regions Strategy: The European Commission adopted a new strategic vision for outermost regions including Guadeloupe, proposing targeted adaptations to EU rules to reflect local realities and boost areas like agriculture, fisheries, migration, taxation, connectivity, renewable energy, and access to housing, healthcare, and education. Caribbean Dining & Culture: In Dalston, The Good Front Room launched a new menu built around “Lickle Plates” and “Big Plates,” led by head chef Amani Garcia, with flavors spanning the Caribbean—explicitly including Guadeloupe—and a more relaxed, social way to dine. Caribbean Travel Spotlight: Explora Journeys unveiled its 2026–27 Caribbean season, with voyages across multiple islands from Miami and San Juan, positioning the region as “no single Caribbean.” UNESCO Memory of the World: The 2026 call for nominations for Memory of the World in Latin America and the Caribbean includes a Guadeloupe/France entry among the 87 nominations. Ocean Race Atlantic: Italian American skipper Francesca Clapcich and 11th Hour Racing finished second in the Ocean Race Atlantic sprint, highlighting women’s leadership in sport.