AGP Executive Report

Aviation Safety Watch: Deputy PM St. Clair Leacock says a “missing plane” reported after leaving Argyle for Tobago has been found, calling the investigation “very delicate” and stressing there’s been no loss of life so far. Energy & Industry: Shell signed five new agreements with Venezuela covering offshore oil and gas work, including Loran and Dragon fields, with potential gas exports into Trinidad and Tobago’s LNG network. Tertiary Education Funding: Government approved $19.8M to support UWI and COSTAATT salary arrears and statutory obligations, including retroactive payments for UWI staff and gratuity/statutory support for COSTAATT. Public Health & Research: Dr Rajeev Nagassar warns Trinidad and Tobago to treat health as a connected system under the One Health approach, as antibiotic misuse and antimicrobial resistance quietly spread through people, animals, crops and the environment. STEM for the Public: A Tobago school debate put digital technology in the education curriculum under the spotlight, while a new partnership with the Starkey Hearing Foundation targets hearing-health screening, training and access to assistive tech. Deep-Sea Science: T&T prepares for its first deep-sea expedition, noting most of its marine territory lies beyond recreational diving depths and remains largely unexplored.

Tertiary Pay Relief: Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training approved $19.8M for UWI and COSTAATT salary arrears and statutory obligations, including retroactive payments for WIGUT staff and gratuity support for COSTAATT. Deep-Sea Science: T&T is preparing for its first deep-sea expedition, aiming to explore the largely unstudied marine areas beyond recreational diving depths. Ocean Education & Conservation: World Oceans Day coverage spotlights new, locally rooted ocean literacy efforts tied to turtle nesting season and the need for Caribbean-led research and public understanding. Health Tech Access: A new MOU with the Starkey Hearing Foundation targets hearing-health screening, training, and access to hearing-assistive technology, with an estimated 8,000 people in T&T affected by hearing loss. Energy & Governance: Government also moved to strengthen tertiary and institutional capacity, while regional finance news notes an IFC US$15M investment into a Caribbean debt fund aimed at SME financing and resilience projects. Justice Modernisation: The Chief Justice called for a justice-system overhaul, including tighter accountability and controlled use of technology and AI.

Deep-Sea Science: T&T is preparing its first deep-sea expedition, with scientists noting that most of the country’s marine territory sits beyond recreational diving depths and remains largely unexplored. Ocean Literacy: World Oceans Day coverage spotlights a new, locally rooted ocean education push aimed at improving conservation understanding for Caribbean communities. Hearing Tech Partnership: T&T signed an MOU with the Starkey Hearing Foundation to expand hearing-health screening, training, community outreach, and access to hearing-assistive technology. Justice Modernisation: Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh called for a major overhaul of the justice system, including court-rule reforms and responsible use of technology and AI. Power & Safety: T&TEC launched an investigation after an electric shock incident at Rampanalgas Village injured two members of the public. Budget Watch: Stakeholders are reacting as Finance Minister Daven-dranath Tancoo delivers the Mid-Year Budget Review, with extra spending linked to salary increases and settlements.

Justice Tech Push: Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh is calling for a major overhaul of Trinidad and Tobago’s justice system, including court rule reforms, stronger accountability, and careful use of technology and AI. Hearing Health Upgrade: T&T signed an MOU with the Starkey Hearing Foundation to expand hearing-health screening, training, community outreach, and access to hearing-assistive technology. Power Safety Probe: T&TEC launched an investigation after two people were injured in an electric shock incident at Rampanalgas Village on June 11. Grid Response in Action: T&TEC crews were praised for rescuing a baby and others from a Port of Spain fire. STEM Education Spotlight: UWI Global Campus named Yamine Trotman as the Sinnette-Nguyen Scholarship recipient for 2025–2026. Agriculture Pressure: Stakeholders warn agriculture in T&T is becoming precarious, citing “ease of doing business” problems and input delays. Renewables Context: A report highlights solar’s rapid growth in the Dominican Republic, reinforcing the wider regional push for cleaner energy.

Hearing Health Boost: Trinidad and Tobago signed an MOU with the US-based Starkey Hearing Foundation to expand hearing-health screening, training, community outreach, and access to hearing-assistive technology, with the government citing an estimated 8,000 people in T&T living with hearing loss. Justice System Modernisation: Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh called for a major overhaul of the justice system, including updated court rules, stronger accountability, and responsible use of technology and AI within limits. Power & Safety Response: T&TEC praised its Distribution North emergency crew for rescuing a baby and others from a Port of Spain burning building. Forensics Upgrade (Regional): CARICOM IMPACS and the US State Department provided advanced ballistic and forensic tools (Bullet Catcher and IBIS BRASSTRAX) to strengthen gun-crime investigations, with the handover taking place in Trinidad and Tobago. Energy & Environment Watch: A report flags offshore oil and gas licensing expansion as a threat to coral reefs, mangroves, and marine protected areas, with Trinidad and Tobago included among case studies. Renewables Trend (Regional): The Dominican Republic’s solar capacity surged, showing how clean energy can grow fast even as electricity systems face global fuel-price shocks.

Justice Tech Push: Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh is calling for a major overhaul of Trinidad and Tobago’s justice system—modernising court rules, boosting accountability, and using technology and AI with tight limits. Police Readiness Gap: Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander says the TTPS can’t properly equip itself because of a TT$500 million debt tied to 2017–2021 procurement problems, leaving officers short on vehicles and tools. Forensics Upgrade (Regional): CARICOM IMPACS and the US State Department provided advanced ballistic and forensic systems (Bullet Catcher and IBIS BRASSTRAX) to strengthen gun-crime investigations, with the handover taking place in Trinidad. Power Safety Probe: T&TEC launched an investigation into a June 11 Rampanalgas incident where two people were injured by electric shock after orange sparks were reported. Health Access Deal: Government signed an MOU with the Starkey Hearing Foundation to expand hearing screening, training, assistive technologies, and access to hearing healthcare. STEM Education Link: UWI Global Campus and CaIHRM signed an MOU to strengthen HR education, professional pathways, and applied research across the Caribbean. Local Culture Skills: Tobago Heritage Festival training is underway to pass on song, dance, drums, and chants to younger performers for cultural continuity.

Hearing Care Boost: Trinidad and Tobago signed an MOU with the Starkey Hearing Foundation to expand hearing screening, training, assistive technologies and access to hearing support services nationwide. Power & Safety Checks: T&TEC launched an investigation into a June 11 Rampanalgas incident where two people were injured by electric shock after orange sparks were reported. Justice Modernisation: Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh called for a modern, accessible, people-centred court system, including reforms to civil rules, family rules, small claims and criminal procedure, with responsible use of technology. Forensics Upgrade for Gun Crime: As part of a CARICOM IMPACS regional firearms workshop, the Government accepted advanced ballistics and forensic systems (Bullet Catcher and IBIS BRASSTRAX) to speed up and strengthen investigations. Crime Policy Debate: Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander said TTPS is hampered by a reported TT$500 million debt, limiting vehicles and technology, while the State of Emergency extension remains politically contested. AI & Work Rights: Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste told the ILO that AI policy in T&T should support social justice and decent work while protecting workers’ rights, addressing risks like bias, privacy and surveillance. Local STEM/Skills Angle: Tobago’s Heritage Festival youth programme is training young people in traditional song, dance, drums and chants—succession planning for cultural skills.

Judiciary Modernisation: Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh says Trinidad and Tobago needs a modern, accessible, people-centred justice system, with court reform, better accountability, and smarter (responsible) use of technology—while keeping fairness, independence, and timely justice at the core. Forensics Upgrade: The Government of Trinidad and Tobago received advanced ballistic and forensic systems, including a Bullet Catcher and IBIS BRASSTRAX platform, to strengthen investigations into gun-related crime as part of a CARICOM IMPACS and US State Department partnership. Public Safety Funding Pressure: Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander told Parliament the TTPS is hampered by a reported TT$500 million debt from 2017–2021, contributing to shortages of vehicles, technology, and other operational tools during the State of Emergency extension debate. Maritime Security Tech: Trinidad and Tobago featured in the Commonwealth Maritime Domain Awareness Summit in Vancouver, where leaders pushed for moving from sea monitoring to coordinated action against piracy, maritime crime, and threats to undersea infrastructure. AI & Worker Rights: Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste told the ILO that AI policy in T&T should support social justice and decent work while protecting rights, addressing ethics, bias, privacy, and the environmental impact of data centres. Tobago Heritage Skills: Young Tobagonians trained in traditional song, dance, drums, and chants through a THA initiative aimed at cultural continuity and “orange economy” innovation.

Maritime Security & Tech: The Commonwealth Maritime Domain Awareness Summit (June 3–4, Vancouver) pushed the idea that sea monitoring must move from “awareness” to coordinated action, with leaders including Trinidad and Tobago discussing threats like illegal fishing, piracy, and risks to undersea infrastructure. Public Safety & Policing: Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander told Parliament the TTPS is held back by a reported TT$500 million debt, citing procurement failures that left the force short on vehicles and technology—fueling debate over extending the State of Emergency. Regional Crime-Fighting Skills: CARICOM IMPACS and the US opened a five-day Firearms Trafficking Workshop in Port of Spain (June 8–12) to improve cross-border investigations, standardise gun data, and tackle modern, harder-to-trace trafficking networks. HR & Applied Research: UWI Global Campus and CaIHRM signed an MOU to strengthen HR education, professional pathways, and applied research on Caribbean labour-market challenges. Local Innovation for Youth: RBC Young Leaders 2026 backed St James Secondary’s “WORM” project on waste optimisation with a $100,000 top prize. Tobago Culture Continuity: Tobago’s Heritage Festival succession push trained young people in song, dance, drums, and chants through a “Ready, Set, Go” masterclass. AI & Workers’ Rights: Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste told the ILO in Geneva that AI policy should be rights-based, balancing productivity gains with concerns on bias, privacy, surveillance, and data-centre impacts. Agritech/Science Collaboration: A Brazil Ministry of Agriculture delegation met CARDI in St Augustine to discuss agricultural innovation and regional food security, including digital tracking tech for pest larvae.

AI & Work Rights: Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste told the ILO in Geneva that Trinidad and Tobago backs a rights-based AI transition that boosts productivity and access to services while protecting workers from bias, discrimination, privacy and surveillance risks. Digital Health in Practice: Adroit Infosystems highlighted connected healthcare software at the CCFP Trinidad chapter’s World Family Doctor Day symposium, focusing on real clinic workflows for EHR use, patient access, billing and care continuity. Regional Agri-Tech Collaboration: A Brazil Ministry of Agriculture delegation met CARDI in St. Augustine to discuss deeper agricultural innovation and food security ties, including CARDI’s digital tracking tech to detect South American palm weevil larvae. Tertiary Research Partnerships: UWI St. Augustine and UTT signed MOUs to expand applied research and training across engineering, mechatronics, chemical engineering, energy/environment and biosciences. Forensics & Crime Solving: Jamaica’s forensic investments were credited with a 92% murder clearance rate in 2025, with emphasis on integrated services including digital forensics. Local STEM & Food Safety: Annie Phillip shared how pepper-sauce training is moving from trial-and-error to science and food safety, supported by a Ministry course and business incubation. Education for Climate Innovation: St James Secondary won RBC Young Leaders 2026 with WORM, a waste-optimisation project using biological innovation and practical design.

Tertiary Research Boost: UWI St. Augustine and UTT signed MOUs to expand applied research and training across mechanical/manufacturing, mechatronics, chemical engineering, energy & environment, and biosciences/veterinary medicine—aimed at stronger industry-ready graduates. Forensics & Crime Solving: Jamaica’s forensic investments were credited for a 92% murder clearance rate in 2025, highlighting modern lab support from digital forensics to pathology. Digital Health in Practice: Adroit Infosystems showcased connected healthcare workflows at a Trinidad World Family Doctor Day symposium, focusing on real EHR adoption, patient access, billing, and care continuity. Transport Costs: A UN-linked estimate puts T&T traffic at 33 days per commuter yearly, costing about TT$2.26b annually—framing congestion as a productivity and public health issue. Local Infrastructure Risk: A falling brick from Trinidad’s Opera House reignited safety worries and renewed debate over the landmark’s deteriorating structure and public finances. Regional Security Training: Trinidad hosted a five-day workshop on firearms trafficking with CARICOM IMPACS and the US, stressing intelligence sharing and building prosecutable cases. STEM Education Pipeline: MIC-IT launched its “Inside the Industry” trainee series with a hospitality edition, pairing trainees with international professionals on workplace readiness and service standards.

Digital Health in Clinics: Adroit Infosystems used Trinidad’s World Family Doctor Day symposium to push connected healthcare workflows, focusing on practical EHR use for patient access, billing, and care continuity rather than “disconnected” digitisation. Regional Security Training: Trinidad’s Ministry of Defence, with CARICOM IMPACS and the U.S. INL, ran a five-day firearms trafficking workshop to boost intelligence sharing and investigative capacity across the region. Agricultural Innovation & Food Security: CARDI hosted an international delegation (IICA and Brazil) to strengthen agricultural research cooperation, showcasing climate-resilient crops and high-yield legumes from CARDI–IICA pilots. Labour + AI Policy: Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste told the ILO that Trinidad is pairing ethical AI adoption with worker protection, including plans for an online employment network (NEON) and redundancy benefits for technological change. Climate + Child Health: A paediatric emergency consultant warned that heat, air pollution, and extreme weather are already harming children’s health, urging urgent climate action. Trade Mission: TTMA launched a Guyana–Suriname trade mission with 38 companies to find export and investment opportunities. Conservation Update: SPECTO closed turtle watching tours early for 2026 after fewer leatherback nests were recorded, with possible wider regional declines under review.

AI & Work Protection: Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste told the ILO that Trinidad and Tobago is pairing ethical AI adoption with worker safeguards, including retrenchment/terminal benefits and a planned National Employment Online Network (NEON). Agritech Collaboration: CARDI hosted an international delegation from IICA and Brazil to strengthen regional agricultural innovation, showcasing climate-resilient crops like sweet potato and commercial legumes. Regional Trade Push: TTMA launched a trade mission to Guyana and Suriname with 38 companies, aiming for new export and investment opportunities. Marine Conservation: SPECTO closed turtle watching tours early for the 2026 leatherback nesting season after a sharp drop in nesting females, with similar declines reported in Trinidad. Public Safety & Justice: Forensic results confirmed blunt force trauma in the death of 12-year-old Mercedez Layne; a 26-year-old suspect is in custody. Climate Health: A paediatric emergency consultant warned that heat, flooding, dengue and air pollution are already harming children’s health. Security Training: CARICOM IMPACS and the US State Department ran a firearms trafficking workshop focused on investigation and prosecution skills.

Agritech & Innovation Diplomacy: CARDI welcomed a high-level IICA and Brazil delegation to strengthen regional agricultural innovation and food security, showcasing outputs like high-yield black-eyed peas, commercial-grade soybeans and black beans, and climate-resilient sweet potato varieties. Public Safety & Child Protection: Trinidad’s Forensic Science Centre confirmed autopsy findings in the death of 12-year-old Mercedez Layne, with blunt force trauma; a 26-year-old suspect is in custody as police continue investigations. Regional Trade & Markets: The TTMA launched a trade mission to Guyana and Suriname (38 companies, 58 participants) to find export opportunities and investment links, with activities running to June 14. Climate & Health (Local Lens): A paediatric emergency consultant highlights how heat, air pollution, flooding, dengue, and rising food prices are already affecting children’s health in Trinidad and Tobago. Conservation Update: SPECTO says it has closed turtle watching tours early for 2026 after fewer female leatherback turtles were observed, noting similar nesting declines may be occurring in Trinidad.

Child Safety & Forensics: The Forensic Science Centre has confirmed force-inflicted injuries in the death of 12-year-old Mercedez Layne, with a 26-year-old man in custody as police continue probing how she was found after being reported missing. Public Health & Climate: A paediatric emergency consultant warns that heat, flooding, dengue and rising food costs are already hitting children in Trinidad and Tobago, with traffic pollution and heat illness among key risks. Governance & Emergency Powers: Tobago’s hotel and tourism leaders, along with NATUC, are urging scrutiny and justification for extending the State of Emergency beyond June 17, arguing it has not reduced crime. Regional Trade & Industry: TTMA is leading a large trade mission to Guyana and Suriname with 38 companies and 58 participants, aiming for new export and investment opportunities. Conservation & Tourism: SPECTO has closed turtle-watching tours early for the 2026 leatherback nesting season, citing a sharp drop in nesting activity and noting similar declines may be affecting Trinidad. Mobility & Safety: A Venezuelan woman died after a crash involving an electric scooter in Cunupia; police say the driver was over the legal alcohol limit and the scooter was unlicensed.

Road Safety & Mobility: A Venezuelan woman, 35-year-old Rusimine Riaz, died after being struck by a vehicle while riding an unlicensed electric scooter in Cunupia; police say the driver tested above the legal alcohol limit, renewing calls for compliance with scooter rules. Regional Security Training: Trinidad hosted a five-day CARICOM-IMPACS and US State Department workshop on firearms trafficking, with US officials stressing sustained intelligence sharing, technical skills, and cross-border trust to build prosecutable cases. Trade & Forced Labour: The US USTR proposed new Section 301 tariffs on imports from 60 economies over forced-labour concerns, with additional rates of 10% or 12.5% (and 37.5% for Brazil) subject to exceptions and public comment. Local Tech for Governance: iVote Live is highlighted as a digital voting platform helping organisations run more secure, transparent elections when members can’t meet in person. STEM & Skills: HEART/NSTA Trust digitised three TVET level-two courses across CARICOM (waxing, tiling, and baker/cake tech), with more programmes planned by March 2027. Environment & Climate: Researchers documented Florida’s first olive ridley sea turtle nest, with warming oceans and other pressures cited as possible drivers.