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Antigua and Barbuda Government Responds to JetBlue’s Planned End of Nonstop JFK Service

In a shift that has sent ripples through the Caribbean travel industry, JetBlue’s online reservation system has stopped taking bookings for nonstop flights connecting New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Antigua and Barbuda’s V.C. Bird International Airport for dates beyond October 31, 2026. The planned route cut is part of a series of broader network adjustments the low-cost carrier has rolled out across the Caribbean in recent months, as it works to optimize its route map and improve overall aircraft utilization to align with shifting global travel market dynamics.

Other similar changes made by JetBlue include reduced service frequencies on existing routes from JFK to key Caribbean leisure destinations: Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, Montego Bay in Jamaica, and both Puerto Plata and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. The pattern of cuts signals that major U.S. carriers are re-evaluating their route portfolios to prioritize high-demand routes that deliver stronger operational and financial returns, a trend impacting multiple island nations across the region.

Charles Fernandez, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment, acknowledged the disappointment of the development while framing it as part of a broader industry-wide shift rather than an isolated challenge for the country. “While this development is disappointing, it is important to recognize that it is not unique to Antigua and Barbuda,” Fernandez said. “Airlines worldwide are continually reviewing their networks and optimizing aircraft deployment in response to changing market conditions.”

Leaders from the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) have moved quickly to outline a proactive strategy to mitigate any impact on the country’s $1.4 billion tourism sector, which forms the backbone of the island nation’s economy. Dean Fenton, ABTA’s Director of Tourism for the U.S. market, emphasized that the authority will deepen its collaboration with JetBlue to maintain strong access for North American travelers even after the nonstop route is discontinued. “The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority will keep working with JetBlue to maximize connectivity through the airline’s hub network and help ensure our destination stays easily accessible to travellers,” Fenton explained. “At the same time, we will keep collaborating with all of our airline partners to strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s airlift and protect our competitive edge in the North American market.”

ABTA has reiterated its long-term commitment to expanding and preserving reliable air connectivity for visitors, a core infrastructure pillar that drives tourist arrivals and supports local hospitality businesses. The authority says it will continue proactive engagement with all existing and potential airline partners to support the steady growth of the destination’s tourism industry.

Located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, Antigua and Barbuda is a top leisure travel destination for North American tourists, drawing more than 300,000 U.S. and Canadian visitors annually. The nation is home to iconic attractions including Nelson’s Dockyard, the only surviving example of a Georgian naval fortification and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It hosts a packed annual calendar of world-renowned events, including the prestigious Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, the annual Antigua Carnival widely known as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival, wellness month, restaurant week, art week, and the popular Run in Paradise road race. Barbuda, the smaller sister island of Antigua located just 27 miles northeast of the main island and a 15-minute commuter flight away, is famous for its secluded 11-mile stretch of soft pink sand beaches and hosts the Western Hemisphere’s largest frigate bird sanctuary, making it a popular quiet getaway for luxury travelers.

17 7 月, 2026
$1.4 Million Upgrade Transforms Stann Creek ITVET Campus

In a major milestone for technical and vocational education in southern Belize, the Stann Creek Institute for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET) has formally opened the doors to its fully renovated campus this week. The $1.4 million infrastructure upgrade, entirely funded by the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), was celebrated with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony that brought together education leaders, government representatives, and community stakeholders to mark the completion of the project.

The rehabilitation work addressed longstanding structural issues across multiple campus facilities, bringing critical improvements to building foundations, exterior and interior surfaces, and roofing systems. BNTF Project Manager Dorett Tennyson explained that persistent roof leakage had been one of the most disruptive problems plaguing the campus for years, disrupting classes and creating unsafe learning conditions for both students and staff. “A big part was the leaks; we had leaks on the roof. So you know, we cleared it, we sealed it, and we repainted it, so we shouldn’t have leaking roofs again,” Tennyson said in comments following the ceremony.

After the official cutting of the ribbon, attending guests toured the refreshed campus spaces, where institution leaders outlined the far-reaching impacts of the upgrade beyond just structural repairs. For Stann Creek ITVET, the renovated facilities create the infrastructure needed to expand access to technical skills training for both enrolled students and community members across the region.

Gwendolyn Garcia Martinez, manager of the Stann Creek ITVET campus, emphasized that the upgrade removes long-standing capacity barriers that have limited the institution’s ability to meet growing demand for skilled workers in southern Belize. The improved facilities will allow the institute to grow its student intake and deepen collaborative partnerships with local businesses and industry organizations that rely on ITVET to train a qualified workforce. Garcia Martinez noted that local tourism industry employers have already reached out to establish new training partnerships to upskill current and future employees, and the institution is also exploring new programming to serve marginalized groups including people seeking asylum. “It has given us another level whereby we will be able to better serve more persons within this area,” Garcia Martinez said.

Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Acting Area Representative for the districts of Dangriga, Hope Creek, and Sarawee, reflected on the challenges the institution faced prior to the renovation. For years, underinvestment in campus infrastructure contributed to low enrollment numbers and left a gap in technical skills training access for communities in southern Belize. The completed upgrade is expected to reverse these trends, positioning the campus as a key driver of economic development and workforce preparation across the region.

17 7 月, 2026
Twee Surinaamse wetenschappers gekozen in bestuur Caribbean Food Crops Society

In a historic milestone for Suriname’s agricultural research community, two scholars from Anton de Kom University of Suriname (AdeKUS) have been elected to top leadership positions of the Caribbean Food Crops Society (CFCS), marking the first time the country has secured two simultaneous seats on the regional organization’s governing board.

The election took place on Thursday during the CFCS’s 58th Annual Conference hosted on the U.S. Virgin Islands. Professor Lydia Ori will serve as CFCS president for the 2026–2028 term, while Dr. Wasudha Malgie will take on the role of board secretary. Joining the new leadership slate are Dr. David Sotomayor, elected vice president, and Dr. Willy Colón, who will serve as treasurer.

Founded in 1963, CFCS began as a network focused exclusively on advancing food crop research across the Caribbean. Today, it has evolved into a leading regional knowledge hub that brings together academic researchers, university stakeholders, public agricultural agencies, international organizations, private sector representatives, and students to address pressing challenges facing the region’s food systems. Its expanded current agenda covers climate-resilient agriculture, soil management, crop protection, agroforestry, livestock production, aquaculture, agroprocessing, food safety, biodiversity conservation, agricultural biotechnology, precision farming, and circular agricultural practices.

Each year, the society hosts its flagship international conference, where stakeholders gather to share cutting-edge scientific findings and co-develop solutions for the Caribbean’s agricultural sector. The 59th Annual Conference is scheduled to be hosted by Suriname in 2027, with the 2028 conference set to be held in Jamaica. The theme of Suriname’s upcoming conference is *Exploring New Ways to Cooperation and Partnerships to Strengthen Food Security and Food Safety in the Caribbean Community*, and all preparatory work will be led by the newly elected board including Ori and Malgie.

The appointments of Ori and Malgie represent a major formal recognition of both AdeKUS and Suriname’s broader agricultural and research sectors. In their new leadership roles, the two scholars will play a strategic, unifying role across the organization, guiding CFCS’s ongoing development, accelerating cross-regional collaboration, and overseeing the execution of the society’s annual conferences.

During the 58th conference, attendees reaffirmed that coordinated regional cooperation is non-negotiable for strengthening food security across the Caribbean. Priority areas of focus included expanding climate-resilient agricultural practices, scaling innovation and agricultural technology, fostering cross-sector collaboration between research institutions, academia, government, and private industry, supporting early-career researchers, and expanding cross-border knowledge sharing across the region.

For Suriname, holding top leadership positions within CFCS unlocks significant new opportunities for the nation’s agricultural community. Local researchers and students will gain expanded access to global professional networks, new collaborative research projects, and cross-institutional partnerships, while insights gained through these connections will advance the development of Suriname’s domestic agricultural sector and contribute to stronger regional food security overall.

The election of the two AdeKUS scholars underscores Suriname’s growing influence within the Caribbean scientific community, and cements the university’s standing as a key partner for regional agricultural research.

17 7 月, 2026
Message of Condolence from CARICOM on the Passing of Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – 17 July 2026: The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has joined the government, people of Barbados, and the international cricket community in mourning the death of one of the sport’s most iconic figures, the Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers. A beloved son of the Caribbean, Sir Garfield came to embody the core values of excellence and resilience that shape the entire CARICOM bloc, leaving an indelible mark on both cricket and global culture.

Throughout his decades-long legendary career, Sir Garfield’s unmatched skill and competitive brilliance on the cricket pitch earned him acclaim across continents. Off the field, his quiet humility and warm graciousness won the respect and affection of fans, peers, and leaders alike, allowing his influence to extend far beyond the boundaries of cricket to cement his status as a globally admired public figure. In recognition of his extraordinary talent and far-reaching impact across the region, CARICOM awarded Sir Garfield its highest honor, the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC), in 1998 — a distinction that reflected his standing as one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated citizens.

Sir Garfield’s legacy will endure through the countless generations of Caribbean athletes he has inspired to pursue excellence and carry the region’s name with distinction on the global stage. In an official statement released Friday from the CARICOM Secretariat’s headquarters in Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, the organization extended its deepest sympathies to the Government and people of Barbados, Sir Garfield’s family and loved ones, and cricket fans across the Caribbean and the world who are grieving his loss.

Founded in 1973 following the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, with a revised 2001 treaty establishing a regional single market and economy, CARICOM is a bloc of 15 full member states and 8 associate members, home to roughly 16 million people, 60 percent of whom are under the age of 30. The organization centers its work around four core pillars: economic integration, coordinated foreign policy, human and social development, and security cooperation. Built around a vision of an integrated, inclusive, and resilient community driven by knowledge, innovation, and shared prosperity, CARICOM remains one of the most successful examples of regional integration among developing nations, with its principal administrative body headquartered in Georgetown, Guyana.

17 7 月, 2026
UPDATE: Investigation continues into incident at Woodbridge Bay Port which took life of Stevedore

A tragic workplace incident has claimed the life of a 47-year-old longshore worker in Dominica, prompting law enforcement officials to launch a full probe into the circumstances of the fatality. The accident unfolded in the early hours of Friday at the Woodbridge Bay Port, located in Fond Colé.

Officials from the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority (DASPA) were the first to confirm the fatal event, which occurred during overnight cargo handling activities at the facility. The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) later released an official statement identifying the deceased as Otis Francis, a resident of Tarish Pit.

Early findings from the ongoing investigation show the incident took place at approximately 12:30 a.m., as Francis was part of a team loading cargo onto the commercial cargo ship *Tropic Opal*. First responders confirmed that Francis suffered catastrophic, fatal injuries when a shipping container made impact with him during the loading process.

Law enforcement officers were dispatched to the port immediately after the emergency alert was received. Members of the CDPF’s specialized Crime Scene Unit arrived to process the site and collect physical evidence for the investigation. An on-call medical professional attended the scene shortly after, where they officially pronounced Francis dead.

Following the completion of initial on-site procedures, Francis’ remains were transferred to Lyndhurst Funeral Home, where they will be held until a scheduled post-mortem examination is carried out to confirm the exact cause of death.

In the wake of the tragedy, the CDPF has extended its formal condolences to Francis’ family, close friends, and coworkers at the port, noting that the investigation into the full context of the accident remains active. DASPA has also released a statement sharing its sympathy with the bereaved family, adding that the port authority is committed to cooperating completely with police and other relevant regulatory bodies throughout the investigative process. As of the latest update, police have confirmed that inquiries into the incident are still ongoing.

17 7 月, 2026
Belize Postal Service Launches New Stamp Series Celebrating National Identity

On July 17, 2026, the Belize Postal Service launched a highly anticipated new definitive stamp collection, titled “Belize Definitive Stamp Issue 2026: Celebrating Belize,” designed to showcase the Central American nation’s unique character to both domestic audiences and the global community. The 11-stamp series, which will remain in general circulation for the next five years, weaves together a visual narrative of Belizean life through designs covering a diverse range of core cultural touchstones: popular sports, traditional pageantry, deeply rooted religious faith, local artistic expression, and beloved community-wide celebrations. Unlike limited-edition commemorative releases, definitive stamps serve as the standard, everyday postage for a nation’s postal system, making this collection a persistent, visible showcase of Belizean identity that will travel on mail to every corner of the globe. During the official launch ceremony, Michel Chebat, Belize’s Minister of Public Utilities, emphasized that the release represents far more than just an update to the country’s postage offerings. In his remarks at the event, Chebat noted that the series acts as a collective mirror, reflecting the shared experiences, individual stories, and landmark achievements that bind the Belizean people together as a community. “We celebrate much more than the release of 11 new postage stamps,” Chebat said. “We celebrate the people, traditions, milestones, achievements and shared experiences that define us as Belizeans.” Beyond their functional role as official postage, the new stamps will also act as a living archival resource, preserving visual representations of key themes tied to Belize’s national heritage for current and future generations. By integrating these images of national life into everyday mail, the Belize Postal Service has created a subtle, widespread tool for cultural preservation and international outreach, turning every mailed letter or package into a small ambassador for the country’s identity.

17 7 月, 2026
Ambassador Sanders Tells U.S. Congresswoman: Reconsider Antigua and Barbuda’s Inclusion in Proposed Immigration Bill; Information Is Inaccurate

A diplomatic dispute has emerged after the Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda in Washington, D.C. issued a formal letter to U.S. House Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina, pushing back against restrictive immigration legislation she introduced on July 15. Titled the Third World Immigration Moratorium Act, Mace’s proposal places Antigua and Barbuda among 40 nations targeted for sweeping new U.S. immigration limits.

In the correspondence, which was also circulated to top House leadership, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the U.S., Sir Ronald Sanders, made clear that while the small Caribbean nation fully upholds the right of U.S. legislators to draft and introduce immigration policy, any measure impacting a friendly foreign nation must be rooted in verified, accurate data rather than misinformation.

Sanders first pushed back against a long-running factual error first included in U.S. Presidential Proclamation 10998, which claims Antigua and Barbuda operates a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program with no residency requirement. The ambassador emphasized that the country’s CBI framework has always maintained mandatory residency conditions, a fact that Antigua and Barbuda’s government has formally communicated to U.S. authorities on multiple prior occasions.

Beyond the CBI misinformation, Sanders flagged a fundamental drafting error in Mace’s legislation that incorrectly separates “Antigua” and “Barbuda” as two distinct sovereign states, rather than the single unified independent nation that has existed for decades. This mistake, Sanders argued, underscores the critical need for thorough fact-checking before advancing legislation that impacts the standing and interests of allied countries.

The ambassador also pushed back against the unfair categorization of Antigua and Barbuda alongside nations grappling with armed conflict, systemic economic collapse, and mass irregular migration. Sanders noted that Antigua and Barbuda is an upper-middle-income economy with one of the highest per capita GDPs in the Caribbean. It is a longstanding stable parliamentary democracy built on the rule of law, with an independent judiciary and robust democratic institutions that command trust both from its own population and global partners.

Addressing the unstated implication that Antigua and Barbuda poses comparable immigration or national security risks to other nations on the list, Sanders highlighted the deep, mutually beneficial bilateral ties between the two countries. U.S. citizens enjoy visa-free travel to Antigua and Barbuda, thousands own property and operate businesses there, and American investment has long been protected and encouraged under the Caribbean nation’s laws. The two countries also maintain close collaboration across a wide range of areas including security cooperation, law enforcement, disaster response, education, tourism, and bilateral trade.

Cross-border movement between the two nations has remained orderly and fully compliant with immigration rules for decades, Sanders added. He shared concrete data to back this claim: no citizen of Antigua and Barbuda has ever applied for refugee status in the U.S., the national rate of visa overstays has held steady at just over one percent for years, and Antigua and Barbuda has always cooperated fully with U.S. immigration agencies to facilitate the prompt return of any of its nationals subject to lawful removal orders.

In closing, Sanders formally requested that Mace revisit the inclusion of Antigua and Barbuda in the proposed act, and commit to grounding any future policy considerations impacting the country in accurate, up-to-date information.

17 7 月, 2026
Thousands Sick as U.S. Investigates ‘Explosive Diarrhoea’ Outbreak

In a developing public health incident rocking the United States, federal and state health authorities are racing to trace the source of a sprawling cyclospora outbreak that has already sickened thousands of people across multiple states, with symptoms including extreme, sometimes explosive, watery diarrhea. As of the latest update from July 17, 2026, the total confirmed cases of the foodborne parasite infection have climbed to nearly 7,000 nationwide, making this one of the largest recorded cyclosporiasis events in U.S. history. Hardest hit by the outbreak is the state of Michigan, which has recorded more than 3,300 confirmed infections, accounting for nearly half of all national cases.

Cyclosporiasis, the disease caused by the microscopic Cyclospora parasite, spreads when humans ingest food or water that has been contaminated with the pathogen. People who contract the infection typically experience a range of debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms beyond severe diarrhea: common effects include intense stomach cramping, persistent nausea, overwhelming fatigue, bouts of vomiting, and a sharp loss of appetite that can last for weeks. While health officials emphasize that the illness is rarely fatal, its impact on daily life and public health systems remains significant, with many patients requiring medical care to manage prolonged symptoms.

Investigators have zeroed in on contaminated fresh produce as the most likely origin of the widespread outbreak, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) formally linking shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurant locations across five Midwestern and Appalachian states to the spike in infections. The investigation’s geographic focus has centered on Taco Bell outlets in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, all of which received lettuce from a single common supplier. Following the CDC’s preliminary findings, Taco Bell acted quickly to remove the implicated product from its supply chain and has halted all use of lettuce from the supplier named by public health investigators. The chain has also supported the CDC’s public advisory, urging consumers who may have eaten shredded iceberg lettuce at its affected locations in recent weeks to monitor their health and seek medical care if they develop symptoms consistent with cyclosporiasis.

As the investigation continues, public health officials are working to trace the full distribution chain of the contaminated produce, identify additional potential exposure sites, and update guidance for consumers and healthcare providers across the country. Health authorities are also reminding the public that prompt diagnosis and treatment can reduce the severity and duration of cyclospora infections, and anyone experiencing persistent gastrointestinal symptoms after eating out in the affected regions should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

17 7 月, 2026
ABWU Women’s Conference To Spotlight Mental Load, Burnout And Invisible Labour

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – July 17, 2026 – As the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda continues to address systemic gender disparities in work and community life, the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) has announced it will host its 2026 ABWU Women’s Conference on July 29 at the conference’s traditional St. John’s host location. Now entering its third consecutive year, the one-day gathering will bring together working women from every sector across the dual-island nation to engage in collaborative dialogue, skills-building workshops, and reflective conversation centered on this year’s theme: “Women’s Empowerment & Mental Health: Mental Load, Burnout & Invisible Labour.”

Unlike general labor conferences that often sideline gender-specific workplace challenges, this annual event was designed explicitly to create a dedicated, safe space for unpacking the unique barriers working women face across all income levels and job roles. This year’s program intentionally centers three underdiscussed issues that researchers and labor activists have increasingly flagged as critical threats to women’s long-term wellbeing: the cumulative cognitive and emotional “mental load” that falls disproportionately to women, occupational burnout driven by uncompensated overwork, and the widespread undervaluing of “invisible labor” – unpaid domestic work, emotional labor in workplaces, and caregiving that women are typically expected to perform without recognition or compensation. Conference organizers will examine how these interconnected issues shape every area of women’s lives, from personal mental health and family stability to workplace productivity and long-term career advancement.

Hazel Luke, ABWU’s Training Coordinator and Co-Chair of the union’s Women’s Council, outlined the core goals of this year’s gathering in a statement ahead of the event. Luke explained that the conference is structured to first help participants name and contextualize the challenges they experience individually, then build collective momentum toward actionable solutions. “When women leave their everyday workplaces, many of us carry these burdens silently, thinking our struggles are unique,” Luke said. “This conference gives us space to identify the specific issues hitting each of us – whether it’s crippling burnout, the unending weight of mental load, or the frustration of invisible labor that no one acknowledges. From there, we work together to build intentional support systems, so these individual challenges don’t divide us – they unify us in solidarity and collective action.”

Beyond personal support and community building, the conference also has a key policy-focused goal embedded in its agenda: advancing the union’s push to formalize comprehensive mental health protections in collective bargaining agreements with employers across the country. This work builds directly on progress made during the 2025 conference, which passed resolutions that led to the addition of new contractual provisions covering menstruation accommodations, maternity protections, and menopause support for unionized workers. Organizers aim to embed mental health rights into these existing frameworks to create long-term structural change for working women.

The day’s schedule includes a range of interactive and educational sessions, including a keynote presentation on strategic professional networking for women, a cross-sector panel discussion featuring women sharing lived experiences of workplace mental health challenges, and hands-on workshops that equip attendees with evidence-based tools and strategies to protect their own mental wellbeing and support peers in their workplaces.

While attendance is limited to selected delegates from a broad cross-section of workplaces across Antigua and Barbuda, ABWU has emphasized that the conference’s conversations are relevant to all women across the nation, regardless of employment sector or union membership. To ensure the dialogue expands beyond the physical conference space, the union has planned outreach initiatives before, during, and after the event to share key takeaways and keep the conversation moving forward in local communities.

ABWU’s leadership reaffirmed the union’s long-standing commitment to advancing the rights, wellbeing, and professional advancement of all workers in Antigua and Barbuda, noting that centering women’s mental health is not just a gender equity issue – it is a core investment in the nation’s future. “When we support women’s mental health and address the unique burdens they carry, we don’t just change individual lives,” the union said in a statement. “We build stronger families, healthier, more productive workplaces, and a more resilient, equitable nation for everyone.”

17 7 月, 2026
CRFM, Caribbean Climate Change Centre strengthen partnership to tackle climate challenges

Two leading Caribbean regional environmental and resource management organizations have announced a strengthened collaborative partnership to counter the accelerating impacts of climate change on the region’s oceans, fisheries, and vulnerable coastal communities. The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs, also referred to as CCCCC) brought senior representatives together for strategic discussions on July 16, 2026, to map out how combining their specialized expertise, pooled resources, and existing ongoing initiatives can create more robust responses to the Caribbean’s most urgent marine and climate challenges.

During the day-long talks, CRFM leadership updated 5Cs counterparts on a slate of active regional projects designed to help CRFM member states build more climate-resilient, ecologically sustainable fishing sectors. These ongoing initiatives cover a wide range of priorities: from advancing evidence-based marine spatial planning and scaling up renewable energy adoption in fishing operations to strengthening the economic livelihoods of small-scale fishing communities and advancing gender equity across the fisheries industry.

One of the core priority topics on the meeting agenda was the persistent, growing crisis of invasive sargassum seaweed blooms that have plagued coastlines across the entire Caribbean basin for years. While both organizations acknowledged the severe harm that massive sargassum inflows cause to local tourism operations, commercial and small-scale fisheries, and fragile marine ecosystems, they also highlighted an under-explored opportunity: if processed safely following circular economy principles, sargassum can be converted into a range of commercially valuable products, from organic fertilizer to biofuel. Meeting participants also underlined that targeted additional scientific research, enhanced cross-regional coordination, and more streamlined information sharing are critical to implementing effective, long-term sargassum management strategies.

Discussions also turned to Blue Carbon, the carbon stored naturally in coastal ecosystems including mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes, which has emerged as a globally recognized key tool for climate change mitigation. According to the official CRFM press release summarizing the meeting, talks covered the ongoing regional policy process to develop a comprehensive regional Blue Carbon Policy, a framework that would support Caribbean nations in better protecting, restoring, and managing these ecologically and climatically valuable coastal ecosystems.

Improving equitable access to reliable climate and marine science data was another central focus of the strategic talks. Both organizations reaffirmed that high-quality, accessible data is a non-negotiable foundation for evidence-based policy making, robust public climate action, and enhanced regional climate resilience. They also emphasized that deeper collaboration and more open cross-institutional data sharing would deliver widespread benefits for governments, academic researchers, small-scale and commercial fishers, and coastal communities across every Caribbean nation.

In a joint statement shared via the CRFM press release, both organizations emphasized that cross-sector regional partnerships are not optional, but essential, to protect the Caribbean’s unique marine resources and ensure that future generations can continue to benefit from healthy oceans and productive, sustainable fisheries. The new strengthened partnership, they noted, reflects a shared commitment to advancing climate-smart, equitable development across the region, while supporting resilient coastal communities, sustainable fishing industries, and thriving, healthy marine ecosystems.

17 7 月, 2026