AGP Executive Report

Public Health & Environment: A Virgin Islands deputy secretary says the region can use practical strategies to improve public health preparedness and coastal resilience by better managing sargassum, after an OECS–EU study visit in Martinique and Guadeloupe focused on interception, collection, monitoring, and turning sargassum into value. Justice for Toxic Exposure: In Paris, hundreds protested at Place de la Bastille demanding justice and compensation for victims of Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and for people affected by chlordecone pesticide contamination in Guadeloupe and Martinique, as legal cases move forward including a June 16 Court of Cassation review and a June 22 expected ruling on a chlordecone investigation. Wellness Travel (Regional): Dominica’s tourism authority launched a “Summer the Nature Island Way” set of eight curated itineraries for advisors, designed to make planning easier and encourage longer stays—spanning adventure, wellness, romance, and family travel.

Chlordecone Justice Moves Forward: A new French law has officially recognized the State’s responsibility for long-term chlordecone pollution in Guadeloupe and Martinique, opening the door to talks on compensation for people whose illnesses are linked to pesticide exposure, with a one-year report to Parliament and funding tied in part to an extra levy on tobacco products. Public Health & Care Priorities: The legislation also sets priorities for faster cleanup, support for affected farming and fishing, stronger research into related diseases, and improved care for victims as courts are expected to rule soon. Sargassum Preparedness Link to Health: In the region, a Virgin Islands deputy secretary highlighted practical strategies for public health preparedness and coastal resilience during an OECS–EU study visit on sargassum management, focusing on interception, collection, monitoring, and use. Marine Protection for Coastal Health: France announced new strictly protected marine zones, including coral reef protections in Guadeloupe, raising the strictly protected share of waters to 14.68% and aiming to reach 14.8% by year-end. Community Health Advocacy: In Paris, hundreds protested for justice and compensation for Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, while also backing victims of chlordecone contamination in French overseas territories like Guadeloupe.

Chlordecone Compensation Move: A new law has officially recognized the French State’s responsibility for the long-term chlordecone contamination in Guadeloupe and Martinique, opening the door to talks on compensation for people whose illnesses are linked to pesticide exposure, with a one-year deadline for a Parliament report and funding tied in part to an added levy on tobacco products. Sargassum Public Health & Resilience: The Virgin Islands is looking to practical strategies to improve public health preparedness and coastal resilience through sargassum management, following an OECS–EU study visit in Martinique and Guadeloupe that covered interception, collection, monitoring, and using sargassum. Marine Protection Zones: France announced new strictly protected marine areas, raising the protected share of its waters to 14.68%, including coral reef protections in Guadeloupe where sea turtles live, with fishing and other activities banned or heavily restricted in these zones.

Chlordecone Compensation Update: A new French law officially recognizes the State’s responsibility for long-term chlordecone contamination in Guadeloupe and Martinique, opening the door to discussions on compensation for people whose illnesses are linked to pesticide exposure; the government has one year to report to Parliament on extending the compensation scheme, with funding tied in part to an added levy on tobacco products, alongside priorities like faster cleanup, support for farming and fishing, stronger research on related diseases, and improved care for victims. Sargassum & Public Health Preparedness: In the Virgin Islands, Dr Lavon P. Chalwell-Brewley highlighted practical strategies to improve public health preparedness and coastal resilience, following an OECS-EU study visit in Martinique and Guadeloupe focused on sargassum interception, collection, monitoring, and use. Marine Protection Zones: France added three new strictly protected marine areas on World Oceans Day, raising the protected share of its waters to 14.68%, including coral reef protections in Guadeloupe for sea turtles, with strict rules that limit fishing, extraction, and tourism in those zones. Maternal Health & Racism: A reflective piece links anti-Black racism in schools to cumulative stress and maternal health strain, describing how Black mothers face repeated advocacy burdens after incidents involving their children.

Maternal Health & Racism: A Black mother in Canada says her nine-year-old’s name appeared on a “kill list” at school, and she faced backlash after challenging the school’s 10-day suspension—highlighting how anti-Black racism can pile up stress and harm maternal health. Sargassum Preparedness: In the Virgin Islands, Dr Lavon P. Chalwell-Brewley says practical public health planning and coastal strategies could help manage sargassum impacts, drawing lessons from an OECS-EU study visit in Martinique and Guadeloupe on interception, collection, monitoring, and use. Chlordecone Compensation: A new French law officially recognizes the State’s responsibility for the chlordecone health scandal in Guadeloupe and Martinique, opening the door to compensation discussions for victims and requiring a parliamentary report within a year, funded partly by an added levy on tobacco. Marine Protection: On World Oceans Day, France designated three new strictly protected marine zones, raising protected waters to 14.68%, including coral reef protections in Guadeloupe where fishing and other activities are banned or heavily restricted.

Chlordecone Compensation Move: A new French law has officially recognized the State’s responsibility for the long-term chlordecone contamination in Guadeloupe and Martinique, opening talks on compensation for victims and setting a one-year deadline for a Parliament report on expanding the existing scheme to illnesses linked to pesticide exposure, with funding tied in part to an added levy on tobacco products. Sargassum Preparedness & Health: In the Virgin Islands, Dr Lavon P. Chalwell-Brewley says practical strategies from an OECS-EU study visit in Martinique and Guadeloupe could help strengthen public health preparedness, coastal resilience, and tourism by improving sargassum interception, collection, monitoring, and use. World Oceans Day Protections: France announced three new marine protection zones, raising strictly protected waters to 14.68%, including coral reef protections in Guadeloupe where some activities like fishing and extraction are banned or heavily restricted. Maternal Health & Racism: A powerful reflection links anti-Black racism in schools to the cumulative stress burden on Black mothers, highlighting how repeated advocacy can harm maternal health.

Chlordecone Compensation Update: A new French law has officially recognized the State’s responsibility for long-term chlordecone pollution in Guadeloupe and Martinique, opening the door to talks on compensation for people whose illnesses are linked to pesticide exposure; the government has one year to report to Parliament on extending the existing scheme, with funding expected to come partly from an added levy on tobacco products. Sargassum Public Health & Resilience: In the Virgin Islands, Dr Lavon P. Chalwell-Brewley says practical strategies from an OECS–EU study visit in Martinique and Guadeloupe could strengthen public health preparedness, coastal ecosystem protection, and tourism resilience by improving sargassum interception, collection, monitoring, and use. Marine Protection Gains: On World Oceans Day, France announced three new marine protection zones, pushing strictly protected waters to 14.68%, including coral reef protections in Guadeloupe; strict areas restrict or ban fishing, extraction, and many tourism activities to help ecosystems recover.

Sargassum & Public Health Preparedness: In Martinique and Guadeloupe (May 31–June 5), the OECS-EU study visit on sargassum management highlighted practical ways to intercept, collect, monitor, and valorise seaweed—aimed at reducing environmental and health risks and strengthening coastal resilience; Chlordecone Compensation Push: A new French law recognizing the State’s responsibility for the long-term chlordecone pollution in Guadeloupe and Martinique has taken effect, opening talks on compensation for victims whose illnesses are linked to pesticide exposure, with a one-year deadline for a report to Parliament and funding partly via an added levy on tobacco products; Marine Protection Expansion: France designated three new marine protection zones for World Oceans Day, raising strictly protected waters to 14.68%, including coral reef protections in Guadeloupe, with fishing and other activities banned or heavily restricted in the most protected areas.

Sargassum & Public Health Preparedness: A Virgin Islands deputy secretary says the OECS-EU study visit in Martinique and Guadeloupe (May 31–June 5) offers practical ways to manage recurring sargassum impacts—linking coastal ecosystem protection, tourism resilience, and public health preparedness through interception, collection, monitoring, and use. Chlordecone Compensation Pathway: A new law recognizing the State’s responsibility for long-term chlordecone pollution has taken effect in the French West Indies, opening the door to compensation discussions for affected people; the government has one year to report on extending existing schemes, with funding tied in part to an added levy on tobacco products. Marine Protection Boost: France announced three new strictly protected marine zones for World Oceans Day, raising strict protection to 14.68% of waters, including coral reef protections in Guadeloupe; strict zones limit or ban fishing, extraction, and tourism to help ecosystems recover.

Chlordecone Compensation Moves Forward: A new law has officially recognized the French State’s responsibility for long-term chlordecone pollution in Guadeloupe and Martinique, opening the door to discussions on compensation for people whose illnesses are linked to pesticide exposure; the government has one year to report to Parliament on extending the existing scheme, with funding tied in part to an added levy on tobacco products, alongside priorities like faster cleanup, support for agriculture and fishing, stronger research on related diseases, and improved care for victims. Sargassum Management for Public Health: After an OECS-EU study visit in Martinique and Guadeloupe (May 31–June 5), Virgin Islands deputy secretary Dr Lavon P. Chalwell-Brewley said practical, sustainable sargassum strategies could boost public health preparedness, protect coastal ecosystems, strengthen tourism resilience, and create economic opportunities through collection and utilisation. Marine Protection Zones Expand: On World Oceans Day, France designated three new strictly protected marine areas, raising protected waters to 14.68%, including coral reef protections in Guadeloupe for sea turtles, with fishing and other activities banned or heavily restricted in these zones.

Chlordecone Compensation Moves Forward: A new law recognizing the State’s responsibility for the long-term chlordecone pollution in Guadeloupe and Martinique has taken effect, opening the door to talks on compensation for people whose illnesses are linked to pesticide exposure; the government has one year to report to Parliament on extending the existing scheme, with funding tied in part to an added levy on tobacco products, alongside priorities like faster cleanup, support for agriculture and fishing, stronger research, and improved care. Sargassum Preparedness for Public Health: After an OECS–EU study visit in Martinique and Guadeloupe (May 31–June 5), Virgin Islands Deputy Secretary Dr Lavon P. Chalwell-Brewley said the territory can use practical, sustainable strategies to manage sargassum impacts—protecting coastal ecosystems, boosting tourism resilience, and strengthening public health preparedness through interception, collection, monitoring, and use. Marine Protection Boost: France designated three new marine protection zones on World Oceans Day, raising strictly protected waters to 14.68%, including coral reef protections in Guadeloupe; strict areas limit or ban fishing, extraction, and tourism to help ecosystems recover and support food, jobs, and storm protection.

Sargassum & Public Health Preparedness: A Virgin Islands deputy secretary says the OECS-EU study visit in Martinique and Guadeloupe (May 31–June 5) showed practical ways to manage sargassum impacts—boosting coastal resilience, tourism readiness, and public health preparedness through better interception, collection, monitoring, and use. Chlordecone Compensation Push: In the French West Indies, a new law recognizing the State’s responsibility for long-term chlordecone pollution has taken effect, opening talks on compensation for victims and setting a one-year report to Parliament on expanding existing support to illnesses linked to pesticide exposure. Marine Protection in Guadeloupe: France added three new strictly protected marine zones on World Oceans Day, raising strict protection to 14.68% of its waters; in Guadeloupe, the move targets coral reefs that shelter sea turtles, with stricter limits on fishing, extraction, and tourism. Travel Access to Guadeloupe: Air Canada will launch a new weekly nonstop route between Quebec City and Pointe-à-Pitre, starting Dec. 17, 2026, running every Thursday through April 8, 2027.

Chlordecone Compensation Moves Forward: A new law has come into effect in the French West Indies officially recognizing the State’s responsibility for the long-term chlordecone pollution in Guadeloupe and Martinique, opening the door to talks on compensation for people affected by pesticide exposure; the government has one year to report to Parliament on extending the compensation scheme, with funding linked to an added levy on tobacco products, while priorities include faster cleanup, support for agriculture and fishing, stronger research on related diseases, and improved care for victims as court rulings are expected soon. Marine Protection Boost: On World Oceans Day, France designated three new strictly protected marine zones, raising protected waters to 14.68% (toward a 14.8% goal), including coral reef protections in Guadeloupe for sea turtles and new safeguards in the Bay of Audierne for the Kentish plover, with strict rules limiting fishing, extraction, and tourism. Travel Access to Guadeloupe: Air Canada will launch a new weekly nonstop route from Quebec City to Pointe-à-Pitre, starting Dec. 17, 2026 through April 8, 2027, adding another gateway for eastern Canadian travelers.

Chlordecone Compensation Moves Forward: A new law has officially recognized the French State’s responsibility for long-term chlordecone pollution in Guadeloupe and Martinique, opening the door to talks on compensation for people affected by the contamination. The government now has one year to report to Parliament on extending existing support to victims whose illnesses are linked to pesticide exposure, with funding tied to an added levy on tobacco products. The law also prioritizes faster cleanup, support for agriculture and fishing, stronger research into related diseases, and improved care for victims. Marine Protection Boost: On World Oceans Day, France added three new strictly protected marine zones, raising protected waters to 14.68%—including coral reef protections in Guadeloupe for sea turtles. Travel Access for Islanders: Air Canada will launch a new weekly nonstop route between Quebec City and Pointe-à-Pitre, starting Dec. 17, 2026, through April 8, 2027. Ocean Health Watch: France says it is nearing its UN ocean goal of 14.8% strict protection by year-end, building on earlier “strong marine protection zones” designations.

Chlordecone Compensation Moves Forward: A new law has officially recognized the French State’s responsibility for long-term chlordecone pollution in Guadeloupe and Martinique, opening the door to talks on compensation for people affected by pesticide exposure; the government has one year to report to Parliament on expanding existing support, with funding linked to an extra levy on tobacco products, while cleanup, research into related diseases, and improved care are set as priorities. Marine Protection Boost: France added three new marine protection zones on World Oceans Day, bringing strict protection to 14.68% of its waters; in Guadeloupe, coral reefs that shelter sea turtles are covered, and in the Bay of Audierne protections target the Kentish plover, with fishing, extraction, and tourism banned or heavily restricted in strict areas. Travel Access for Guadeloupe: Air Canada will launch a new weekly nonstop route between Quebec City and Pointe-à-Pitre, starting Dec. 17, 2026 through April 8, 2027, adding another gateway for eastern Canadian travelers. Sailing Spotlight (Route du Rhum): A local sailor is training for the Vendée Globe 2028 and will first race the Route du Rhum solo transatlantic event from France to Guadeloupe in November.

Chlordecone Compensation: A new law has officially recognized the French State’s responsibility for the long-term chlordecone contamination in Guadeloupe and Martinique, opening the door to talks on compensation for affected residents and setting priorities like faster cleanup, support for farming and fishing, stronger research, and improved care. The government has one year to report to Parliament on extending existing schemes to more victims whose illnesses are linked to pesticide exposure, with funding tied in part to an added levy on tobacco products. Marine Protection Expansion: France has added three new strictly protected marine zones, bringing protected waters to 14.68%, including coral reef protections in Guadeloupe for sea turtles and new measures in the Bay of Audierne to protect the Kentish plover, with strict limits on fishing, extraction, and tourism. Travel Access for Health & Care: Air Canada is launching a new weekly nonstop route between Quebec City and Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) from Dec. 17, 2026 to April 8, 2027, adding another gateway for medical travel and family visits.