AGP Executive Report

Education: Dominica scored above the regional CSEC average in 30 of 32 subjects, with an overall performance 11.3% higher, Education Minister Octavia Alfred announced. Culture: Wesley’s Samantha Bazil won the 2026 Miss Wob Dwiyet title and says she hopes to encourage more young people from the northeast to represent their communities. Festival Economy: The government says last year’s World Creole Music Festival generated an estimated US$15 million in direct economic impact and has pledged continued investment; officials urged visitors to stay for Independence celebrations. Kalinago Leadership: Chief Anette Sanford, named the 2026 Seacology Award recipient, credited community conservation work and advocacy for Indigenous rights. Citizenship by Investment: Antigua and Barbuda is considering suspending its programme by November 12 to protect visa-free access to Europe, adding uncertainty for Dominica and other Caribbean states with similar schemes. Copyright Case: The Court of Appeal reinstated ECCO’s claim against Neon Briggs and the Government over alleged unlicensed performances at a 2024 Roseau event, sending the dispute back to the High Court.

Festival Economy: Dominica says last year’s World Creole Music Festival generated an estimated US$15 million in direct economic impact, with flights full for this year’s event. The government pledged continued investment and urged visitors to stay for independence celebrations. Kalinago Recognition: Chief Anette Sanford has received the 2026 Seacology Award for environmental work and advocacy for Indigenous rights, including community efforts to protect water sources and plant trees. Copyright Case: The Court of Appeal restored ECCO’s claim against Neon Briggs and the Government over alleged unlicensed music at the 2024 Pinknic fete; the case will return to the High Court. US Relations: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit welcomed recent US-CARICOM talks while pressing Washington to address Dominica’s visa restrictions and the region’s development financing needs. Regional Citizenship Programmes: Antigua and Barbuda is likely to suspend its citizenship-by-investment scheme by November 12 to protect visa-free access to Europe. Dominica is among the countries facing EU pressure, but no decision by Roseau was reported. Trade: Dominican Indigenous women entrepreneurs are joining a Caribbean mission to Canada to explore export opportunities.

Trade Opportunities: Eight Indigenous women entrepreneurs from Dominica, Belize and Jamaica are set to explore Canadian markets from October 26 to November 4, with business meetings and market visits in Winnipeg and Toronto. US Relations: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says Washington will discuss Dominica’s visa restrictions with senior officials after he raised the issue in bilateral talks. He also welcomed a “very constructive” US-CARICOM meeting and called for stronger development engagement. Culture: The World Creole Music Festival wrapped up three nights of performances in Roseau on Sunday, featuring Dominican and regional artists alongside international acts. Youth Sport: Dominica’s Under-15 side opened its World Cup and Festival campaign with a 3-1 loss to Malaysia in Azerbaijan. Public Service: Social Security Director Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas will receive a National Day Award on November 3, recognizing decades of service. Copyright: The Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal reinstated ECCO’s copyright infringement claim against Neon Briggs and the Attorney General, ruling that its right to sue must be decided at trial.

World Creole Music Festival: Dominica’s three-night festival wrapped Sunday after showcasing local and regional performers alongside international stars. Youth Football: Dominica’s Under-15 team lost 3-1 to Malaysia in its opening match at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan; Malaysia has since recorded two more wins. Visa Talks: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says Washington has agreed to discuss Dominica’s visa restrictions with senior officials after he raised the issue during bilateral talks. Citizenship by Investment: Antigua and Barbuda is considering suspending its programme by November 12 to protect visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area, amid pressure on several Caribbean CBI countries, including Dominica. National Honour: Dominica Social Security Director Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas will receive a National Day award on November 3 for decades of public service.

Creole Festival: The World Creole Music Festival continues in Roseau, with highlights from Night Two featuring performers including Ne-Yo, Alkaline and Asa Bantan. US Relations: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit welcomed recent CARICOM-US talks but pressed Washington to reconsider visa restrictions on Dominica; US officials agreed to take the issue to senior officials. Youth Sport: Dominica’s Under-15 team opened its FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival campaign with a 3-1 loss to Malaysia, scoring from the penalty spot. Infrastructure and Energy: Mechanical and electrical work is underway at the Wesley airport control tower, while Dominica’s geothermal project earned three regional energy awards. National Service: Social Security Director Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas will receive a National Day Award on November 3, recognizing decades of public service.

U.S. Visa Talks: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit welcomed renewed U.S. engagement with the Caribbean and said Washington had agreed to discuss Dominica’s visa restrictions with senior officials. He stressed that the region also needs sustained development support. World Creole Music Festival: The festival opened Friday at Windsor Park, with Dominican and regional performers launching three nights of Creole music through Sunday. Youth Football: Dominica’s under-15 team opened its FIFA tournament campaign with a 3-1 loss to Malaysia in Baku; Dominica scored from the penalty spot. Airport Development: Mechanical, electrical and plumbing installation is underway at the air traffic control tower at the Wesley international airport site, part of a project expected to improve air links and create jobs. National Recognition: Social Security director Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas will receive a National Day Award on November 3, honouring decades of service to the institution and the country. Waste Management: Dominica is among 11 Caribbean countries with a new national assessment of electronic waste, intended to guide collection, treatment and policy.

Creole Festival: The World Creole Music Festival opened Friday at Windsor Park Stadium, with Dominican and regional performers launching three nights of music through Sunday. Authorities also urged festivalgoers to follow traffic guidance and food-safety rules. U.S. Visa Restrictions: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says Washington will discuss Dominica’s visa restrictions with senior officials after he raised the issue during talks in the United States. The measures, in place since January, affect most immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. Airport Development: Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work is underway at the air traffic control tower of Dominica’s international airport in Wesley, a key step in the project’s construction. National Recognition: Social Security Director Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas will receive a National Day award on November 3 for decades of service. Environment: Dominica is among 11 Caribbean countries with a new national assessment of electronic waste, intended to inform collection, treatment and policy decisions. Youth Football: Dominica’s under-15 team opened its FIFA U-15 World Cup campaign with a 3-1 loss to Malaysia in Baku.

E-waste: Dominica is among 11 Caribbean countries with new national assessments of electronic waste, offering data to guide collection, treatment and policy. US Visa Restrictions: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says Washington has agreed to discuss Dominica’s restrictions with senior officials after he raised the issue in bilateral talks. Airport Development: Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work is underway in the air traffic control tower at the Wesley airport site; completion is targeted for 2028. National Honour: Dominica Social Security Director Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas will receive a National Day Award on November 3, recognizing decades of service. Music Rights: The Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal has reinstated ECCO’s copyright infringement claim, ruling that its right to sue must be resolved at trial. Regional Climate Work: Dominica is part of a five-country project to improve climate data and reporting, while its geothermal project has also earned regional awards. Cricket: Northern Stars, Colts and Police won in the latest DCA Intermediate League round.

U.S. Visa Talks: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says Washington will discuss Dominica’s visa restrictions with senior officials after he raised the issue in bilateral talks. The measures remain in place, and Skerrit says his government sees no justification for them. Creole Festival Readiness: Police are urging motorists to follow traffic directions during the World Creole Music Festival, while Environmental Health Officer Calma Louis is reminding vendors and patrons to prioritize food safety. Copyright Case: The Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal reinstated ECCO’s copyright infringement claim, ruling that its right to sue must be resolved at trial. National Recognition: Dominica Social Security Director Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas will receive a National Day award on November 3 for decades of service. Infrastructure and Energy: Work continues on the air traffic control tower at Dominica’s international airport, while the government has ordered 12 garbage trucks for delivery before Christmas. Dominica also won three regional awards for geothermal energy milestones.

US Visa Talks: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says Washington has agreed to discuss Dominica’s visa restrictions with senior officials. He maintains there is no basis for the measures, which took effect in January. Copyright Case: The Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal has reinstated music rights group ECCO’s infringement claim, ruling that its right to sue must be tested at trial. Creole Festival: Police are urging motorists to follow traffic directions for the World Creole Music Festival, while health officials remind vendors and patrons to practise food safety. Energy and Infrastructure: Dominica won three Caribbean renewable-energy awards for its geothermal project and related financing. Work also continues on the international airport’s air traffic control tower. National Service: Social Security Director Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas will receive a National Day award on November 3 for decades of service. Public Services: The government says 12 additional garbage trucks are expected before Christmas to improve collection.

National Honour: Dominica Social Security Director Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas will receive a National Day Award on November 3, recognising decades of service since she joined the institution in 1980. U.S. Visa Talks: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says he raised Dominica’s visa restrictions in bilateral talks with U.S. officials, who committed to discuss his concerns with senior decision-makers; no change has been announced. Regional Funding: The U.S. has announced a US$340 million Caribbean package covering areas such as energy, digital infrastructure, health and security. Dominica took part in the talks, but no specific allocation to the island was detailed. Airport Development: Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work is underway at the air traffic control tower at Dominica’s international airport in Wesley. The project is targeted for completion in the second quarter of 2028. Agriculture and Energy: Dominican farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno. Baptiste was recognised by the FAO for her contributions to agrifood systems. Dominica also won three regional energy awards for its geothermal project and financing, with Energy Minister Vince Henderson honoured for leadership.

Agriculture: Dominican farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno. Baptiste was honoured by the FAO in Rome as one of its 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems, highlighting her contribution to rural livelihoods and food security. U.S. Relations: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says he raised Dominica’s visa restrictions “respectfully but firmly” with U.S. officials, who will refer his proposal to senior decision-makers. Infrastructure: Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work is advancing at the air traffic control tower at the new international airport in Wesley; the project is expected to be completed in 2028. Climate: Dominica is among five Caribbean countries sharing a US$6.75 million initiative to strengthen climate data, emissions tracking and reporting. Energy: Dominica’s geothermal project and financing programme won regional awards, while Energy Minister Vince Henderson was recognized for leadership. Water Service: Emergency repairs to a damaged main in Roseau have disrupted supply in the city and nearby communities, with no restoration time yet announced.

Water Service: Emergency repairs to a damaged main on Independent Street have disrupted supply in Roseau, Elmsall, Bath Estate, Castle Comfort, Fortune, Kingshill and Morne Bruce; DOWASCO has no restoration estimate yet. Public Service: The DPSU reports settlements at Dominica State College, including a 3% pay increase due in October, and says hospital staff have been paid. But workers at two other institutions have gone more than a decade without raises. Waste Collection: Government has ordered 12 garbage trucks, expected before Christmas, to improve unreliable pickups. Geothermal Energy: Dominica’s 10-megawatt plant, operating since July, won two Caribbean energy awards, while Minister Vince Henderson received a leadership honour. Agriculture: Capuchin farmer Gilles Carbon Jno Baptiste was named among the FAO’s 100 Women Heroes for her work strengthening local food production. Culture: Dominican artist Reo’s collaboration with Martinican singer Maurane Voyer has passed 100,000 YouTube views in a week, building musical ties across the French-speaking Caribbean. U.S. Immigration: Caribbean legal immigration fell 53% under new U.S. policies; Dominica was among the countries where immigrant visa issuance dropped at least 80%.

Water Disruption: Emergency repairs to a damaged main on Independent Street have interrupted supplies in Roseau and several southern communities, including Castle Comfort and Kingshill. DOWASCO has no estimated restoration time. Public-Sector Pay: The DPSU reports a 3% increase due in October for Dominica State College staff and says hospital employees’ outstanding pay has been settled. But workers at two organizations have gone more than a decade without raises. Clean Energy: Dominica’s geothermal project won regional awards for best energy project and financing, while Energy Minister Vince Henderson received a leadership honour. The 10-megawatt plant began supplying the grid in July. Waste Collection: Government has ordered 12 garbage trucks, expected before Christmas, as it responds to complaints about missed pickups. U.S. Immigration: A report says Caribbean legal immigration to the United States fell 53% under recent Trump administration policies. Dominica was among countries facing visa restrictions, with immigrant visa issuance falling sharply.

Geothermal Milestone: Dominica won three awards at the 2026 Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum: Best Caribbean Energy Project, Best Financing Programme and a leadership honour for Energy Minister Vince Henderson. The 10-megawatt Laudat plant began commercial operation in July. Regional Investment: The United States says it will invest more than US$340 million across the Caribbean, including in digital connectivity, healthcare, economic growth and security. Dominica took part in the Washington dialogue that preceded the announcement. Social Security: Opening a CARICOM meeting in Dominica, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit urged regional systems to strengthen protections for people facing disability, old age or hardship. Voter ID: The Electoral Office says distribution of voter ID cards is continuing and reminds registered voters that a valid card is required to cast a ballot. Climate Leadership: Dominican young professional Christianna Paul has been selected for a regional climate fellowship and will join a Caribbean delegation at COP31 in Türkiye. Agriculture: Capuchin farmer Gilles Carbon Jno Baptiste was named among the FAO’s 100 Women Heroes for her work supporting local food production and rural communities.

Clean Energy: Dominica’s geothermal project won two Caribbean awards, while Energy Minister Vince Henderson received a leadership honour. The 10-megawatt plant has supplied the national grid since July. Elections: The Electoral Office says voter ID card distribution is continuing and reminds registered voters to collect their cards, which are required to vote. Agriculture: Capuchin farmer Gilles Carbon Jno Baptiste was named among the FAO’s 100 Women Heroes. Separately, 15 young farmers have begun a 20-week training programme focused on sustainable production and business skills. Regional Standing: Dominica ranked second in the 2026 Citizenship by Investment Index, behind St. Kitts and Nevis. Sport: Four Dominican cricketers—Alick Athanaze, Gilon Tyson, Stephan Pascal and Jervin Benjamin—earned Windward Volcanoes contracts for the 2027 season. Social Security: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit urged CARICOM social security bodies meeting in Dominica to strengthen their systems and respond to people’s needs.