AGP Executive Report

VR and Brain Health: Trinidadian-created PanJam+ recreates steelpan in virtual reality, exploring how music-making could support older adults and offer insight into brain health over time. Offshore Engineering: EnerMech won a Subsea7 contract for pre-commissioning work on the Ginger subsea development, using Caribbean-based equipment and local expertise for pipeline testing and commissioning support. Climate-Smart Farming: Tobago farmers facing heat stress in livestock are learning practical ways to protect animal health, while regional FAO coordinator Renata Clarke is urging wider use of black soldier fly larvae to turn organic waste into animal feed and cut import dependence. Biodiversity: A Matura Bioblitz has recorded more than 1,000 species, including 12 bat species and a moth that may be new to science.

Brain Health Technology: Trinidadian Panjam+ blends virtual reality, steelpan and brain science, exploring how playing music could offer insights into older adults’ brain health. Climate-Smart Farming: Tobago farmers are learning to spot and reduce heat stress in livestock as hotter, drier conditions strain animals and water supplies. Biodiversity: A Matura Bioblitz has recorded more than 1,000 species, including 12 bat species and a moth that may be new to science. Sustainable Agriculture: The FAO’s retiring Caribbean coordinator is backing black soldier fly larvae to turn organic waste into animal feed and cut the region’s poultry-feed imports by 30% within five years.

Climate-Smart Farming: Tobago livestock farmers are learning to spot and reduce heat stress as drought-like conditions loom. A workshop by FAO, CARDI and the THA addressed falling productivity and water shortages; some farmers are already shifting grazing hours to protect animals. Biodiversity: A Matura Bioblitz has recorded more than 1,000 species, including an ocelot, a tamandua, 12 bat species and a moth that may be new to science. Health Technology: Health Minister Lackram Bodoe says the Government will assess medical equipment across the RHAs, after noting that some clinics have had to share devices and highlighting ultrasound’s role in diagnosis and care. Waste and Environment: At Forres Park landfill, more than 250 people are estimated to depend on salvaging discarded goods—showing how weak recycling and high waste levels create both environmental strain and a livelihood for some residents.

Financial Technology: The Central Bank’s new five-year plan puts agility, data and technology at the heart of its work, as it responds to emerging risks and a changing financial system. Health Technology: Health Minister Lackram Bodoe says the Government will assess medical equipment across the regional health authorities, after clinics were found sharing devices needed for diagnosis and care. Digital Skills: Plans to bring YTEPP digital and technical courses to Rio Claro, alongside expanded training options in Mayaro, could make career skills more accessible to rural communities. Digital Heritage: A free online archive of nearly four million slavery records includes Trinidad’s 1813 registers—the collection’s earliest and among its most detailed—offering new resources for family-history research. Digital Payments: Trinidad and Tobago is set to roll out India’s UPI payment platform, a fintech development that could change how people make digital payments.

Medical Tech & Access: Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe says the Government is assessing medical equipment across Regional Health Authorities after noting clinics sometimes had to share devices, while he urged stronger use of technology in diagnostics. Workforce & Telehealth Funding: Salud Family Health received US$8,417,247 via Colorado’s Rural Health Transformation Program to expand rural care through staffing, telehealth and whole-person services. Skills for Rural Learners: A Touch of TVET push aims to bring more digital and technical training to Rio Claro and Mayaro, including YTEPP launches and talks on adding nursing training, with articulation plans to avoid dead ends. Sports Science & Coaching: NAAATT/NAAA graduated 29 World Athletics Level 2 track coaches after sprint, hurdles, and middle/long-distance courses at Ato Boldon Stadium—boosting Trinidad and Tobago’s track-and-field ecosystem. Transport & Safety Systems: Zakour says long-term plans are being developed to tackle traffic gridlock after accidents and traffic-light timing disruptions; TTPS reports engineers are adjusting signals at Dock Road. Energy Sector Signals: SLB reaffirmed commitment to Trinidad and Tobago after meetings with energy officials, citing optimism for the country’s role as a regional energy hub. Digital Identity Abroad: Bermuda is preparing for a digital ID framework, issuing a procurement notice to qualify suppliers for a public-private partnership model. Heritage Digitization: Nearly 4 million slave records have been digitized and made searchable online, with Trinidad’s 1813 registers highlighted as the oldest and unusually detailed.

Road Safety & Public Health: A fatal crash in Cunupia sent a red Nissan Note into the river; driver Joel Farfan, 32, died and a missing woman was later reported found, while a 33-year-old passenger was treated for minor injuries. Digital History & Research: Nearly 4 million slave records from the Former British Colonies Enslavement Registers are now searchable online for free via Ancestry, with Trinidad’s 1813 registers highlighted as the oldest and unusually detailed. Literacy & Skills: World Teachers’ Day coverage spotlights ALTA’s push to tackle Trinidad and Tobago’s literacy gap, citing research that one in four people can’t manage everyday reading and writing. Energy Tech & Industry: SLB met Trinidad’s energy ministers to reaffirm its commitment and discuss the Energy Accelerator Hub and efficiency gains across the energy value chain. Innovation Ecosystem: The Innovation Association of Trinidad and Tobago calls for more investment and better coordination for research, development, and entrepreneurship. Governance & Training: Cabinet responsibility for the On-the-Job Training Programme shifts to the Ministry of Public Utilities, with officials saying the work will continue under the new lead.

Adult Literacy Push: UWI and ALTA say 1 in 4 people in Trinidad and Tobago can’t manage everyday reading and writing, and ALTA is recruiting more volunteer tutors to reach learners from scratch to improvement. Education & Skills Governance: Tertiary Education Minister Prakash Persad says the On-the-Job Training Programme has moved to the Ministry of Public Utilities under Barry Padarath, with the new ministry reviewing what’s already been done. Energy Sector Confidence: SLB met Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal and Ernesto Kesar, reaffirming commitment to T&T and highlighting its Energy Accelerator Hub and local employment (95% nationals). Innovation Ecosystem Gap: The Innovation Association of Trinidad and Tobago warns the country needs more investment in R&D and entrepreneurship plus better coordination and a clearer national innovation strategy. Public Health Debate: A renewed national discussion follows the move to raise the legal drinking age to 21, framed around road safety and youth protection. Flood Impact in Cedros: Saturday flooding in Cedros left residents marooned and with major losses, including homes, furniture and even a pet dog rescued after the water rose.

Education & Workforce Skills: On World Teachers’ Day, Jerome Teelucksingh highlights how better pay, teacher resilience, and extra support for struggling learners can strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s education system. Housing Affordability Research: Habitat for Humanity’s global report “Home at What Cost?” says 75% of people surveyed cut essentials to afford housing, with some delaying medical care—an affordability warning that resonates regionally. Public Health & Physical Activity: A commentary challenges “one-size-fits-all” activity advice, arguing that for many workers, physical exertion is necessity, not choice—raising questions for how health campaigns are designed. Local Safety Tech: The TTPS is set to expand speed enforcement with new laser detection devices and upgraded breathalysers, aiming for wider, data-led road safety action. Oil Rig Safety Regulation: OSHA is consulting on new subsidiary rules for offshore operations, covering structural integrity, safety-critical equipment, emergency response, and contractor management. Innovation Ecosystem: The Innovation Association of Trinidad and Tobago calls for more investment and better coordination in research, development, and entrepreneurship to strengthen the national innovation ecosystem. Tertiary Education Quality: COSTAATT received seven-year continuing institutional accreditation from ACTT, reinforcing its research and industry-focused training mission.

Road Safety Data Push: Trinidad and Tobago’s Transport Ministry launched a Road Safety Unit to collect, analyse and map accident and compliance data, aiming for a more data-driven approach to reducing crashes and improving enforcement. Giant African Snail Turnaround: UWI St. Augustine convened a GAS Strategic Action Committee to guide SCALe-UP, a project funded by UWI’s RDI Fund to convert the long-plaguing giant African snail into climate-resilient agriculture and enterprise opportunities. Oil Rig Safety Rules: OSHA is consulting government, employers, unions and stakeholders on new subsidiary legislation for offshore oil rig safety, covering structural integrity, well control, safety-critical equipment, emergency response and contractor management. Innovation Ecosystem Call: The Innovation Association of Trinidad and Tobago is urging stronger investment and better coordination for research, development and entrepreneurship, calling for a clearer national innovation strategy. Digital Payments Upgrade: Trinidad and Tobago is set to adopt India’s UPI, positioning the country as the first in the Caribbean to roll out the platform. Public Health Reality Check: A new look at physical activity challenges one-size-fits-all guidance, highlighting the choice-versus-necessity divide for workers. Agriculture Spend Must Prove Impact: An agriculture consultant says Budget 2027 should measure how public spending translates into production, farm business strength and food security.

Energy & Governance: A new energy-policy piece argues that higher oil and gas prices can ease Trinidad and Tobago’s budget, but won’t replace depleted petroleum resources or lost national know-how—warning against treating windfalls as structural recovery. Gas Development Planning: A Guyana-focused analysis says the next step after securing gas supply is deciding what the molecules should do, as Longtail’s gas-heavy development and pipeline capacity raise new market and coordination questions. Innovation Ecosystem: The Innovation Association of Trinidad and Tobago is pushing for more investment in research, development and entrepreneurship, calling out weak coordination and the need for a clearer national innovation strategy. Agriculture Spend for Results: An agriculture consultant urges Budget 2027 to shift from funding allocation to measuring whether public spending actually boosts production, farm business viability and food security. Renewables Policy Barrier: A regional report finds Caribbean solar growth is faster than official stats, but policy and regulation—not technology costs—are slowing the transition away from imported fossil fuels. Road Safety Data Push: The Transport Ministry launches a Road Safety Unit to collect and analyse accident and compliance data to target high-risk areas and improve enforcement. Health Diplomacy: Trinidad and Tobago is elected to PAHO’s Executive Committee for 2026–2029, strengthening its role in regional health policy. Education & Skills: COSTAATT receives seven-year continuing institutional accreditation, reinforcing its quality and research-and-innovation focus.

Road Safety Tech Push: Trinidad and Tobago’s Transport Ministry launched a Road Safety Unit to collect and analyse accident and compliance data, aiming for a more data-driven approach to reducing crashes. Oil Rig Safety Regulations: OSHA is consulting government, employers, unions and stakeholders on proposed oil rig safety rules covering structural integrity, well control, safety-critical equipment, emergency response and contractor management. Digital Payments Expansion: T&T is set to adopt India’s UPI payment platform, positioning the country as the first Caribbean nation to roll out the system. Education & Skills: COSTAATT received seven-year continuing institutional accreditation, reinforcing its focus on research, innovation and industry-responsive training. Invasive Species to Enterprise: UWI’s GAS-SAC is moving to turn the Giant African Snail into a climate-resilient agriculture and enterprise opportunity through SCALe-UP. Public Health Governance: T&T was elected to PAHO’s Executive Committee for 2026–2029, strengthening its role in regional health policy. Remote Gambling Regulation: Senate approved remote gambling order for online betting, with remaining provisions expected by 1 January 2027. Workforce Training Oversight: Cabinet responsibility for the On-the-Job Training Programme shifted to the Public Utilities Ministry, with the minister expected to review ongoing work.

Oil Rig Safety Rules: OSHA consulted Government, energy employers and unions on new subsidiary regulations for oil rig safety, covering structural integrity, well control, safety-critical equipment, maintenance, emergency response, contractor management and worker competence. Road Safety Data Push: The Transport Ministry launched a Road Safety Unit to collect and analyse accident and compliance data, aiming to identify high-risk locations and improve enforcement with better information sharing. Giant African Snail Plan: UWI convened a GAS Strategic Action Committee to turn the long-running Giant African Snail problem into climate-resilient agriculture and enterprise opportunities under SCALe-UP. Digital Payments Leap: Trinidad and Tobago is set to roll out a real-time payments platform modelled on India’s UPI, via NIPL and the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Public Health & Regional Role: TT was elected to PAHO’s Executive Committee for 2026–2029, strengthening its voice in regional health policy. Youth Substance Use: New reporting highlights Tobago research showing high lifetime alcohol use among Form 4–5 students, as Government moves to raise legal age limits.

Road Safety Tech Push: Transport Ministry launches a Road Safety Unit to collect and analyse accident and compliance data, aiming to identify high-risk locations and improve enforcement with TTPS. Public Safety Enforcement: TTPS will deploy new laser speed detection devices and upgrade breathalysers, expanding speed and impaired-driving crackdowns beyond highways. Health & Research: UWI’s GAS-SAC moves to turn the Giant African Snail into an opportunity via SCALe-UP, exploring uses like valorised feed and enterprise for farmers. Digital Payments: Trinidad and Tobago is set to roll out a real-time payments platform modelled on India’s UPI, via NPCI International Payments and the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Workplace Safety for Energy: OSHA consults stakeholders on proposed oil rig safety regulations, focusing on clearer accountability and safer operations. Regional Health Leadership: TT elected to PAHO’s Executive Committee for 2026–2029, strengthening Caribbean representation in health policy. Youth Substance Use: Tobago research reports high lifetime alcohol use among Form Four/Five students, feeding into moves to raise legal age limits for alcohol, cannabis and gambling.

Real-Time Payments Push: Trinidad and Tobago is set to become the first Caribbean country to roll out India’s UPI-style real-time payments platform, via a partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited and the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Energy & Climate Tech: The EU says it’s ready to partner with Nevis on its geothermal project, offering technical expertise and possible financial support after high-level meetings with Nevis officials. Workplace Safety for Oil Rigs: OSHA held a consultation with government, the energy sector and unions to shape new oil rig safety rules under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, focusing on clearer accountability and safer operations. Critical Minerals Research: The U.S. DOE announced $29.5M for critical mineral supply chain work at national labs under the “Mine of the Future” push to reduce dependence on China. Public Health & Youth: New Tobago research reports high lifetime alcohol use among Form Four and Five students, as government moves to raise legal age limits for alcohol, cannabis and gambling. Digital Business at SouthEx: SouthEx International Expo 2026 highlighted AI-driven growth, with tourism digital tools and QR smart signage announced to boost visibility for local businesses.

Digital Payments Upgrade: Trinidad and Tobago is set to roll out India’s UPI-style real-time payments platform via NPCI International Payments and the Ministry of Digital Transformation, aiming to modernize how people pay online. Energy & Safety Regulation: OSHA held consultations to shape new oil rig safety rules, focusing on hazards like heavy lifting, work at heights, pressure systems, well control, emergencies and accountability. Critical Minerals Research: The U.S. DOE announced $29.5M for the Mine of the Future initiative at Ames National Laboratory, targeting critical mineral supply chains through new extraction, recycling and reprocessing approaches. Remote Gambling Framework: Parliament approved legislation to license and regulate remote gambling, bringing operators into the formal economy for taxation and oversight. Public Health & Youth Protection: Attorney General John Jeremie signalled amendments to include vaping in a bill raising age limits for alcohol, cannabis, tobacco and gambling, with ID requirements proposed for purchases and entry. Community Policing Tech: Residents in Glamorgan, Tobago raised boat engine theft and derelict vehicles; police discussed more coastal patrols, tracking devices and CCTV requests. Regional Tech Connectivity: EllaLink advanced its Caribbean Gateway submarine plan toward development, targeting service entry by end-2029 with open-access, carrier-neutral routing. Youth Substance Use: Tobago research highlighted high lifetime alcohol use among Form Four and Five students, feeding into the push for higher legal ages.

Oil Rig Safety Rules: OSHA held a stakeholder consultation with government, the energy sector and unions to shape new subsidiary regulations for safer oil rig operations, focusing on hazards like heavy lifting, work at heights, pressure systems, well control, emergencies and medical access. Public Health Law Updates: Attorney General John Jeremie said amendments to the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill will add vaping and require ID for buying tobacco and alcohol, possessing cannabis, and entering gambling venues, as the Government moves to raise legal ages. Remote Gambling Licensing: The House approved legislation to license and regulate remote gambling, bringing operators into the formal economy for taxation and oversight. Digital Connectivity: EllaLink advanced its Caribbean Gateway into the development stage, proposing an open-access submarine network linking islands and creating more routes to Europe and North America. Critical Minerals Research: The U.S. DOE awarded $29.5M to Ames National Laboratory projects under the Mine of the Future Initiative to reduce dependence on China for critical minerals. Tobago Financial Modernisation: The THA passed motions to modernise its Financial Rules after 30 years, aligning with the Public Procurement Act to improve oversight and reduce friction.