AGP Executive Report

Health Research Funding: Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness has awarded $48 million to five researchers under the Research For Wellness Fund, pushing applied studies aimed at practical fixes for local public health challenges. Cardiology Breakthroughs: The Heart Institute of the Caribbean is bringing Jamaican heart research to the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026 in Munich, including work tied to Hurricane Melissa and a cloud-based ECG network. Innovation Awards Push: Jamaica’s Office of the Prime Minister has extended the deadline for the 2026 National Science, Technology and Innovation awards (National Medal for Science and Technology plus National Innovation Awards), with nominations feeding into commercialization support via partners like the SRC and DBJ. STEM for Youth: UTech’s STEM Summer Camp and Week of Welcome activities are putting AI, robotics, engineering and climate-focused learning in front of hundreds of students, building early tech talent. Tech in the Courts (Regional): Barbados is rolling out virtual magistrates’ court hearings via Zoom, a modernization move that could shape how the region thinks about justice tech. Fisheries Resilience: Jamaica’s National Fisheries Authority and CRFM are teaming up for a forum during Caribbean Week of Agriculture, spotlighting climate-smart tech and resilience for fisheries and aquaculture. Housing Digitisation: ALTRUHOMES is using a digital buyer platform to streamline property selection, financing, documentation and signing for its Wick Hall Estate project in Spanish Town.

Disaster & Climate: Nepal and Tibet flash floods have killed 903 and left 4,000+ missing, a stark reminder that climate breakdown is turning extreme events into recurring threats. Health Accountability: Jamaica’s Ministry of Health says it will intensify action after 1,000+ patient complaints, with accountability data due in September. Roads & Resilience: Spring Mount road repairs in St James are moving toward rebuilding, but residents are still waiting on timelines after Hurricane Melissa damage. STEM for Youth: UTech’s STEM Summer Camp trained about 100 students in AI, robotics, engineering and climate-focused projects. Science Funding: SRC and DBJ partner with OPM to push 2026 National Innovation Awards winners toward commercialization, plus Health & Wellness is funding $48m in research projects. Tech & Education Policy: UTech research finds most students and faculty already use generative AI, prompting clearer rules on academic use. Infrastructure Planning: Port Authority tenders design studies for a mixed-use port at Yallahs (St Thomas) and a marina at Lucea (Hanover). Digital Services: ALTRUHOMES rolls out an online platform to streamline home buying from selection to signing. Education Costs: Calls for accountability grow after thousands of students missed CXC exams, raising concerns about wasted public exam fees.

Science & Innovation Funding: Jamaica’s Office of the Prime Minister has extended the application deadline for the 2026 National Medal for Science and Technology and National Innovation Awards to Monday, September 14, with universities, research institutions and industry groups eligible to nominate. Innovation-to-Market Push: The Scientific Research Council and Development Bank of Jamaica are partnering with OPM to move award winners from recognition to commercialization via technical help, development support, financing and market testing. Health Research Boost: The Ministry of Health & Wellness awarded nearly $48 million for five Research for Wellness Fund projects tackling mental health, breast cancer, air pollution and NCD wellness. STEM Youth Pipeline: UTech’s STEM Summer Camp trained about 100 students in AI, robotics, engineering and climate-focused sustainability, including a field trip to the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard base. Tourism Resilience on Global Stage: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett was named co-chair of World Economic Forum Tourism Day 2026, aiming to strengthen people-focused resilience and real-time risk intelligence. Port Planning: Port Authority of Jamaica opened a tender for design studies for a mixed-use port at Yallahs (St Thomas) and a marina at Lucea (Hanover). Education Accountability: Calls for accountability grew after thousands of students missed CXC exams, raising concerns about wasted public subsidies.

Health Research Funding: Jamaica’s Ministry of Health & Wellness has awarded nearly $48M for five health research projects, targeting mental health, breast cancer, air pollution, and wellness for people living with non-communicable diseases. Education & Accountability: CXC exam absenteeism is raising alarms after 10,481 students reportedly failed to show for May/June 2026 sittings, with calls for stronger accountability as taxpayers may be left covering costs. AI in Schools: UTech research says AI use is widespread among students and faculty, pushing Jamaica’s education sector to tighten AI policy and assessment rules. Teacher Supply & Exchange: A US J-1 teacher recruitment agency says it’s not “stealing” Jamaican teachers, framing its programme as cultural exchange and skills-building for educators returning home. Housing Tech: ALTRUHOMES is rolling out a digital buyer journey for its Wick Hall Estate development, aiming to streamline selection, financing, paperwork, and signing. Ports & Infrastructure: The Port Authority of Jamaica has opened tenders for engineering design studies for a mixed-use port at Yallahs (St Thomas) and a marina at Lucea (Hanover). Renewables Finance: IRENA is calling for renewable energy project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including Jamaica, with possible support via its financing platforms. Business Tech: Ocho Rios entrepreneur Kingsley Jair Harrison’s SnapTap is expanding across the region as an AI-powered all-in-one platform for small businesses. Road Safety Tech Angle: A new push for road safety reform highlights how better infrastructure and smarter monitoring could reduce repeat crash hotspots.

Health Research Funding: Jamaica’s Ministry of Health & Wellness awarded nearly $48 million for five Research for Wellness Fund projects, targeting mental health, breast cancer, air pollution, and NCD-related wellness to strengthen evidence-based care. Renewables Call: IRENA opened a call for renewable energy project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, with possible support via its Climate Investment Platform and Energy Transition Accelerator Financing. AI Ads Watch: Meta’s new protections for kids are rolling out in the US, while a separate shift is coming for ChatGPT users as ads expand—Jamaica isn’t in the rollout yet, but businesses should plan for it. Spectrum for 5G: Jamaica’s Spectrum Management Authority says safeguards are in place to prevent 5G interference with critical services like aviation communications. Seafood Fraud Tech: The Scientific Research Council is helping lead an IAEA/FAO-backed effort to develop tools to detect seafood fraud and assess fish freshness. Local Business Tech: Ocho Rios entrepreneur Kingsley Jair Harrison’s SnapTap is an AI-powered all-in-one platform for marketing, sales, payments, and customer management, now used across multiple Caribbean markets. Public Safety: JCF urged motorists to report stolen vehicles immediately to boost recovery chances. Fire Response: Over 80 firefighters contained a major Hagley Park Road blaze; the cause is under investigation. Infrastructure Update: A new detour road opened off the Montego Bay bypass project to ease access changes for Norwood traffic.

Health Research Funding: Jamaica’s Ministry of Health is rolling out a $50m Wellness Grant for five research projects on issues like breast and childhood cancers, sickle cell disease, and air pollution/chemical exposure—aimed at turning results into policy and practice. AI for Small Business: Ocho Rios entrepreneur Kingsley Jair Harrison’s SnapTap is an AI-powered all-in-one platform for marketing, sales, payments and customer management, already used by 500+ businesses across 10 countries. EV Push: Jetcon is re-entering the electric vehicle market with Arcfox models, targeting 100 unit sales in year one as EV interest rises with fuel prices. Disaster Readiness: Jamaica is strengthening disaster early warning capacity, including work to implement the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) across the Caribbean. Spectrum Safety for 5G: The Spectrum Management Authority says Jamaica is putting safeguards in place so 5G rollout won’t interfere with critical services like aviation communications. Seafood Fraud Tech: The Scientific Research Council is leading a Caribbean push, with IAEA/FAO-backed research, to develop tools to detect mislabelled and adulterated seafood. Local Tech Leadership: JBDC appoints Daenia Ashpole as CEO to expand support for MSMEs, bringing trade, governance and regulatory leadership experience. Infrastructure Update: A new detour road opens off the Montego Bay bypass to ease traffic flow around the perimeter road project.

Leadership & SMEs: JBDC appoints Daenia Ashpole as CEO effective Sept. 1, bringing trade, policy and regulatory leadership experience to strengthen support for Jamaica’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Disaster readiness: Jamaica is moving to strengthen multi-hazard early warning capacity, with a Common Alerting Protocol workshop focused on faster, clearer alerts across the Caribbean. Tech for food integrity: The Scientific Research Council is helping lead an IAEA/FAO-backed project to develop seafood-fraud detection and freshness assessment tools, targeting mislabeling and adulteration. Spectrum & 5G safety: The Spectrum Management Authority says safeguards are in place to prevent 5G rollout from interfering with critical services, including aviation communications. Education outcomes: The Ministry of Education is planning targeted interventions to address boys’ underperformance, while the Early Childhood Commission doubles down on Zero to Three Brain Builder Centres for early development. Learning credentials: CXC officially launches CTEC after a modular math pilot with an 88% pass rate, aiming to make targeted learning more achievable. EV push: Jetcon re-enters Jamaica’s EV market with plans to sell about 100 Arcfox units in year one. Climate-smart farming: IICA wrapped up ADOPT Caribbean soil-health support in SVG, handing out kits and training to help farmers build resilience.

5G Spectrum Safety: Jamaica’s Spectrum Management Authority says it’s putting safeguards in place to prevent 5G rollout from interfering with critical services, including aviation communications. Education Tech & Access: The Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica and UNESCO are partnering on AI4IA to build AI-enabled workflows for search, synthesis, provenance tracking and knowledge products ahead of the Sept. 28 conference. Early Childhood Focus: The Early Childhood Commission will prioritise quality Zero to Three services, including Brain Builder Centres, integrating health, nutrition, stimulation and child protection. CXC Upgrade: CXC officially launches CTEC, using modular learning to tackle subject underperformance after a strong modular maths pilot. Boys’ Underperformance: The Education Ministry is moving to identify practical interventions to close the boys vs girls performance gap, with educators to be engaged. Radiation Response Training: Jamaica’s HSRA and UWI Mona hosted hands-on drills for radiation source recovery, bringing together fire and radiation safety trainees. Local Tech & Mobility: BYD welcomed the ATTO 8 to Jamaica with a tech-heavy EV/hybrid launch. Health & Skills: JCF Cadet Academy reports standout CXC results, including 100% in IT and Physical Education. Community & Learning: May Pen’s Global University of Medical Sciences opens, with local leaders framing it as a boost for the town’s growth. Climate Resilience (Regional): St Vincent and the Grenadines farmers received soil-health agricultural kits under a climate-resilient agriculture project.

Education Tech & Assessment: CXC officially launches the Caribbean Targeted Education Certificate (CTEC), breaking subjects into focused modules after a modular maths pilot delivered an 88% pass rate. AI for Accessibility: Jamaica’s Broadcasting Commission (BCJ) partners with UNESCO for the AI4IA conference on Sept. 28, aiming to build AI-enabled workflows for search, synthesis and knowledge products. Early Childhood Focus: The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) doubles down on the Zero to Three Strategy, including Brain Builder Centres (free daycares) to integrate health, nutrition and early intervention. Boys’ Underperformance: The Education Ministry moves to identify practical interventions to close the boys vs girls performance gap, with educators to be engaged in the process. Public Safety & Radiation Skills: HSRA at UWI runs a hands-on drill with Jamaica Fire Brigade Hazmat units to improve response to radioactive material incidents. Digital Health Policy: Jamaica will set standards and systems to support secure, widespread electronic prescribing and dispensing. Scholarships & Talent Pipeline: UK Chevening/Commonwealth/Queen Elizabeth Trust scholarships go to young Jamaicans, while Jamaica’s Promise opens $8m+ for final-year tertiary students. Climate & Nature Tech: UNEP backs a Drought Resilience Capacity Index, and regional coral “assisted gene flow” ideas highlight the need for careful, safeguard-led reef restoration.

Digital Trade & SMEs: Puerto Rico’s CUD is pushing a new “Caribe Unido” digital platform to help local SMEs connect with Caribbean markets, including Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, and actually market services across borders. Health Tech & Policy: Jamaica is moving to set standards for secure, widespread electronic prescribing and dispensing, aiming to expand beyond current e-transmission rules. Education & Skills: The Ministry of Education is strengthening TVET in high schools, with a push for more students to graduate with recognised skills certification. AI & Media Trust: Caribbean broadcasters are being urged to lead on AI adoption with trust, authenticity, and human verification as deepfakes make verification harder. Climate Resilience Research: UNEP’s new Drought Resilience Capacity Index proposes a practical framework to “anticipate, prepare and adapt” to drought impacts. Marine Conservation: A call for responsible coral sharing across the Caribbean highlights how heat-tolerant restoration could help reefs survive. Radiological Preparedness: Jamaica is developing a national radiological incident and emergency response plan with specialised training for key agencies. Aviation Infrastructure: AAJ says the Norman Manley runway extension is required for safety and won’t raise flooding or tidal risk.

Digital Health Policy: Jamaica will set standards and a supporting framework for secure, widespread electronic prescribing and dispensing, with the Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation portfolio saying pharmacy regulations already allow electronic transmission but broader rollout needs policy and systems. Radiation Safety Preparedness: The Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority is developing a national radiological incident and emergency response plan, guided by IAEA standards, alongside ODPEM, ICENS, the JDF, JCF, Fire Brigade, universities and other partners. Aviation Infrastructure: The Airports Authority of Jamaica says the Norman Manley International Airport runway extension is required for ICAO safety rules and will not worsen flooding or tidal activity, using dredging material from Kingston Harbour. Parliament Transparency: The Houses of Parliament has launched a new website to make legislative information easier to find across years, aiming to boost access for the public, media, educators and researchers. Education & Skills: The Education Ministry plans to strengthen TVET in high schools, including legislative changes to expand HEART/NSTA Trust involvement, and push recognised skills certification. Scholarships & Training: Multiple scholarship announcements highlight skills-building, including UK-funded master’s awards for seven Jamaicans and agricultural scholarships totalling over $17M. AI Media Trust: Jamaica’s broadcasting regulator is urging Caribbean broadcasters to prioritise trust, authenticity and human verification as deepfakes and AI-generated content rise.

Public Safety & Health: Jamaica’s Global School-based Health Survey flags a sharp rise in student obesity (15.3%) and overweight (31.7%), alongside less physical activity and more screen time. Education & Youth Mentorship: The JCF Cadet Academy is pushing a structured alternative for boys, with reported 100% pass rates in IT and Physical Education & Sports at CSEC and strong CAPE results. Business Tech & Digital Growth: Atlantic Hardware is moving toward e-commerce after record revenue and profit gains, while MFS completes its CBM takeover (terms undisclosed), expanding a tech-enabled office supplies and workplace products portfolio. Financial Resilience Rules: The FSC proposes mandatory crisis recovery plans and annual exercises for insurers and securities dealers, with rapid reporting to the regulator. Climate & Agriculture: Drought linked to El Niño is worsening recovery after Hurricane Melissa, hitting crop yields and harvested area. Connectivity: CTU says high intra-Caricom roaming charges still persist despite a 2022 regional pledge to cut fees. STEM & Scholarships: Commonwealth Scholar Ricardo Hunter heads to the UK for an MSc in Innovation and Technology Management at the University of Bath; GHN also expands its Beyond the Backpack scholarships to 48 students. Creative Economy Policy: Jamaica’s animation industry gets a public consultation for the National Animation Policy in Green Paper stage.

National Animation Policy Consultation: The Office of the Prime Minister held a public consultation on the Green Paper stage of Jamaica’s National Animation Policy, urging local animators to submit what they want included to grow a more competitive, sustainable industry. Climate & Farming Tech: ADOPT Caribbean soil-health kits were handed over to farmers in Jamaica and the region, with tools like rain gauges, pH meters, and irrigation-support supplies aimed at climate-resilient agriculture. AI in Daily Life: Digicel says its Ruby AI system is already handling a large share of customer-care conversations in Jamaica, positioning AI as support for agents, not replacement. Education & Skills: JCF Cadet Academy students posted strong CSEC and CAPE results, while a new AI mental wellness companion called Choobi is being built to reduce stigma and improve access to support. Justice & AI: Chief Justice Bryan Sykes says AI should enhance court efficiency without replacing judges or staff. Public Services Pressure: Oracabessa’s library closure has students worried about access to books, internet, printing, and study space. Health & Youth: NCDA reports fewer teens are drinking or using ganja, but warns remaining levels still need stronger prevention and enforcement. Disaster Readiness: CIMH and UWI are urging Caribbean preparations for intensifying heat and drought as El Niño strengthens. Creator Economy: FENIX360 launched “Streaming Reimagined,” partnering with Gaana to add direct-to-fan integration and monetization tools.

Agri Tech & Recovery: Ayesha Curry, Back to the Roots and AFJ announced a JMD $120M donation of organic seeds for Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa recovery, distributed by RADA to help small farmers rebuild food security. AI in Daily Life: Digicel says its Ruby AI assistant in Jamaica handled 55% of customer-care interactions (535,000 conversations) without needing a human agent for many routine requests. Education & Youth Tech: Choobi, an AI mental-wellness companion, is being built to reduce stigma and cost barriers to support, while UWI named seven new professors across climate, cancer care, blood safety and information literacy. Robotics & Sports: Chinese humanoid robots Tiangong Ultra and “Lightning” beat Usain Bolt’s 100m mark at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. Public Health & Policy: NCDA reports fewer teens are drinking or using ganja, but alcohol exposure and early use remain concerns; Chief Justice Bryan Sykes says AI should boost court efficiency, not replace staff. Community Access: Oracabessa’s library closure has students worried about lost study, printing and internet access. STEM for Kids: Supreme Ventures’ Junior Creators Robotics Camp trained young innovators in AI, coding and wearable tech.

Media & AI Literacy: UNESCO-backed SIM Caribbean workshop in Grenada brought together regional media stakeholders to sharpen journalism ethics, media and information literacy, and the ethics of AI. UWI Research & Health Training: UWI named seven new professors across climate resilience, cancer care, blood safety, and Hispanic Caribbean cultural life, while ICENS (UWI Mona) is training radiation protection specialists for CARICOM via a new postgraduate programme. Digital Finance & Core Banking: Aero Services Credit Union (Trinidad & Tobago) selected Smart Solution’s Universa® core banking suite to power its digital transformation and member services. Climate Tech for Farmers: Jamaica’s agriculture minister commissioned a solar PV pump station, urging farmers to adapt to drought and heat by using solar to cut water costs. AI Skills for Youth: CEAL Green Energy CEO Ryan Roper told education leaders that young people need critical thinking and problem-solving for an AI-driven world. Disaster Tech & Drones: HMS Trent tested a heavy-lift drone at sea, exploring drone resupply for humanitarian disaster relief. Radiation Safety Capacity: ICENS highlights its reactor and gamma irradiator facilities as hands-on training tools for the next generation of radiation safety professionals. Public Trust in Courts: Commentary on the CCJ controversy flags how leaked correspondence and judge conduct disputes could damage confidence in the institution. Tech Policy for Pharmacy: Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica is pushing for legislation to enable electronic prescribing and dispensing. Robotics Spotlight: Chinese humanoid robots beat human sprint records at the World Humanoid Robot Games, underscoring fast advances in AI-driven robotics.

Digital Payments Boost: Jamaica’s central bank says Jam-Dex transactions jumped to $51.7m in the first seven months to July, as it works to widen wallet providers and point-of-sale acceptance. Health Tech Policy: The Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica is pushing for legislation to enable electronic prescribing and dispensing, calling the current system outdated. STEM Education: Project RISE ran a STEAM summer camp in Kingston, bringing hands-on robotics, coding and science to underserved youth. Robotics Meets Sport: Chinese humanoid robots at Beijing’s World Humanoid Robot Games reportedly beat Usain Bolt’s 100m and other human sprint benchmarks, highlighting fast AI-driven advances. Scholarships for Healthcare: 131 people are set to receive the Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarships, expanding training across specialist nursing, midwifery, medicine and more. Learning Gains: A Grade Seven Academy reading initiative reports a major improvement in Grade 8 reading performance, with most students moving up after targeted interventions.