AGP Executive Report

AI Policy & Regional Tech: The Bahamas joined IDB-led talks with major tech firms (Google, Anthropic, Microsoft, Nvidia, Meta) on safe, broad AI adoption across Latin America and the Caribbean, including plans for shared strategy, investment guidelines, regulation, data systems, and workforce training. Climate & Coastal Risk: Marine ecologist Dr. Kathleen Sullivan Sealey warned New Providence could face major loss of liveable land by 2050–2100, urging earlier planning for managed retreat in high-density areas. Aviation Infrastructure: North Eleuthera runway repairs are being planned after Western Air suspended flights, with officials citing potholes and an undulating surface; the Ministry of Works says a full resurfacing/overlay is the goal. Healthcare Governance: The Public Hospitals Authority announced its 2026–2027 board appointments, emphasizing execution and operational excellence during major hospital and campus upgrades. EV Tech & Local Events: EV Motors Open returns at Baha Mar with mixed doubles tennis plus an automotive showcase and tech prizes. Royal Caribbean Entertainment: “The SpongeBob Musical” is set for the Hero of the Seas starting August 2027, with every sailing visiting Perfect Day CocoCay in The Bahamas. Public Health (Regional): PAHO ministers approved new strategies across the Americas to strengthen health emergency preparedness, tackle antimicrobial resistance, and curb dengue and other arboviral diseases.

Caribbean Climate & Resilience: Marine ecologist Dr. Kathleen Sullivan Sealey warned New Providence could lose liveable land in dense communities by 2050–2100, urging “managed retreat” planning now. Public Healthcare Governance: The Public Hospitals Authority named its 2026–2027 board (effective July 1, 2026) to oversee major projects like the new Bahamas Hospital and Freeport Health Campus. Aviation Infrastructure: North Eleuthera runway repairs are moving toward a full resurfacing after potholes and an undulating surface forced Western Air to suspend flights; work is hoped to start next week. AI Policy & Regional Tech: The Bahamas joined IDB-led talks on safe AI adoption across Latin America and the Caribbean, discussing shared strategy, investment guidelines, and workforce readiness. Health Security Across the Americas: PAHO’s Directing Council approved measures to strengthen emergency preparedness, tackle antimicrobial resistance, reduce dengue/arboviral threats, and expand access to health technologies. National Insurance Modernisation: The National Insurance Board welcomed a new board and set priorities including fund sustainability, tech modernisation, and policy reform.

AI & Policy: The Bahamas joined IDB-led regional talks on accelerating safe AI adoption across Latin America and the Caribbean, with ministers and tech leaders (including Google, Anthropic, Microsoft, Nvidia and Meta) discussing shared strategy, regulation, infrastructure, data systems and workforce training. Climate Science & Diplomacy: PM Philip Davis told the UN there’s “no uncertainty” in the climate crisis, citing sea-level rise risks for low-lying islands and endorsing a Declaration on Sea-Level Rise. Health & Community Tech: Colina Insurance Limited partnered again with the Bahamas Alzheimer’s Association for a Montague Foreshore fun run/memory walk, supporting World Alzheimer’s Month activities. National Governance & Transparency: A Bahamas Freedom of Information push is revisited, tracing years of delays from early legislation to promised implementation—highlighting the need for faster, clearer public access rules. Energy & Maritime Tech: Kinetics Energies acquired an LNG carrier to convert into an FSRU, pointing to future gas-to-power infrastructure planning relevant to regional energy systems. Public Service Modernisation: The National Insurance Board welcomed a new board and flagged technology modernisation and policy/legislative reform.

AI Regional Push: The Bahamas joined IDB-led high-level talks on safe, broad AI adoption across Latin America and the Caribbean, with proposals for a regional AI strategy, shared investment guidelines, and workforce and infrastructure support. Climate Science & Policy: PM Philip Davis told the UN there’s “no uncertainty” in the climate crisis, citing sea-level rise and warning that the ocean is “a boundary inching towards our doorsteps.” Data Sovereignty: A Bahamian op-ed argues the country must move from “colonization by data” to real local control—deciding where data lives, sharing in the value it creates, and building AI that understands local languages and realities. Public Tech & Services: The National Insurance Board welcomed a new board and flagged priorities including technology modernisation, investment diversification, and policy reform to strengthen the National Insurance Fund. Payments Tech: BankPro partnered with Thredd to modernize its physical and virtual card programs using a unified, cloud-native issuer platform. Health Systems: PAHO says countries in the Americas can accelerate elimination of 30+ communicable diseases through leadership, targeted investment, and partner support. STEM in Action: NUWC Division Newport honored inventors and published researchers, highlighting patents and peer-reviewed work across AI and medical device development.

FSRU & LNG Infrastructure: Kinetics Energies bought the steam-turbine LNG carrier Arctic Voyager to convert into a multi-purpose FSRU, with delivery targeted for Q3 2028 and plans to pair gas-to-power platforms for remote electricity supply. Cruise Tech & Tourism Infrastructure: Norwegian Cruise Line is pushing Middle East demand and spotlighting major Great Stirrup Cay upgrades, including a new two-ship pier that replaces tender-only access. Bahamas Data & AI Policy: A UN-focused debate on “colonisation by data” highlights calls for Bahamas-led control of data and AI built for local languages and realities. Payments Modernization: BankPro partnered with Thredd to power its physical and virtual debit/credit cards via a unified, AI-first issuer platform. Governance & Public Tech: The National Insurance Board welcomed a new board and flagged technology modernization, workforce development, and collections reform. Energy/Climate Diplomacy: PM Davis told the UN there’s “no uncertainty” in the climate crisis, citing sea-level rise and the legal stakes for small islands. Local STEM-Adjacent Events: EV Motors announced EV Open mixed doubles tennis and auto showcase (Oct 2–4) with tech prizes and innovation partners. Education & Community: Central State University mourns student Joshua Knowles, encouraging counseling support for students and staff.

AI & Data Sovereignty: A Bahamian op-ed argues the country’s “colonization by data” problem is like the old salt trade—raw data leaves, finished products return—calling for local control of data, shared value, and AI that understands local languages and realities. U.N. Diplomacy: Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell reaffirmed The Bahamas’ support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and efforts to return detained civilians and prisoners of war at a Toronto conference. Autonomous Drone Tech: Advantech launched the ASR-D501 edge AI companion computer (Qualcomm QCS6490) aimed at powering autonomous UAV perception and mission processing. Payments Modernization: BankPro partnered with Thredd to run physical and virtual debit/credit card programs via an AI-first, cloud-native issuer platform. Blue Carbon Push: Prime Minister Philip Davis unveiled a $25m blue carbon plan and the government is moving toward net carbon-negative status. Space Watch: SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit and deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites—another step toward future moon/Mars missions. Local Governance Tech: The Bahamas’ Freedom of Information system still can’t fully operate because supporting regulations are delayed, even as a new Information Commissioner starts work.

AI & Data Infrastructure: The Bahamas is pushing ahead with artificial intelligence and data-centre ambitions, with government messaging at the UNGA spotlighting innovation and the need for modern tech capacity. Blue Carbon & Climate Accounting: Prime Minister Philip Davis announced a $25 million national blue carbon programme aimed at measuring seagrass carbon removal and feeding results into official greenhouse-gas reporting, positioning the country to generate ITMOs under the Paris Agreement. Biotech Access Pathway: Ocugen says The Bahamas’ Longevity and Regenerative Therapies Act framework will be used to expand access to its OCU400 gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa, targeting a first patient within 90 days after full approval. Education & Youth Innovation: Grand Bahama launched a Young Innovators Club pilot (ages 15–25) with a $50,000 Innovation Fund and up to $25,000 prizes, while Acting PM Chester Cooper urged students to build the island’s next chapter through technology, entrepreneurship, maritime, arts/heritage, and the environment. Payments Tech: BankPro partnered with Thredd to power BankPro’s physical and virtual debit/credit card programmes via a unified, single-API platform. Energy Reliability at Schools: The Ministry of Education said a long-term fix is underway for C.C. Sweeting Senior High’s electricity problems after transformer failures disrupted operations and raised safety concerns. Freedom of Information: A new Information Commissioner said the FOI system still can’t fully operate because supporting regulations remain unfinished, leaving trained information managers waiting. Regional STEM & Health: PAHO recognized The Bahamas among Americas countries achieving disease elimination milestones, reinforcing the science-and-policy link in public health. Space News (Global STEM): SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit and deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites, a major step for future moon and Mars missions.

Fintech & Payments: BankPro is teaming with Thredd to power its physical and virtual debit and credit cards, using a single integrated platform aimed at faster, more secure experiences for Bahamas-based private banking clients. Cruise & Jobs: MSC is pushing ahead with Sandy Cay near Bimini and expanding Ocean Cay, with the Sandy Cay ground-breaking tied to about 600 construction jobs and a wider MSC Bahamas investment nearing $1.5bn. Biotech Access: Ocugen says The Bahamas’ Longevity and Regenerative Therapies Act framework will support expanded access for its OCU400 gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa, targeting a first patient within 90 days after full approval. Climate Science: The Bahamas committed $25m to a national blue carbon programme to measure seagrass carbon removal and support future ITMOs under the Paris Agreement. Education & Innovation: Grand Bahama launched the Young Innovators Club (ages 15–25) with a $50,000 innovation fund and prizes up to $25,000, plus a pilot cohort focused on tech, maritime, environment, entrepreneurship, and arts/heritage. Power Reliability: CC Sweeting Senior High School teachers protested ongoing electricity failures and safety concerns, while the Ministry says a long-term fix is being worked on with BPL and grid partners. Aviation Policy: A public back-and-forth on aviation charges highlights calls for fair, transparent fees tied to services, with Bahamas meteorology and aviation bodies urged to clarify how they work together. Space Tech: SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time on its 14th test flight, deploying 26 Starlink V3 satellites.

Space Tech: SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time on Flight 14, deploying 26 Starlink V3 satellites after an engine shutdown early in the mission—an important step toward future Moon and Mars efforts. Bahamas Health Tech: Ocugen says The Bahamas’ Longevity and Regenerative Therapies Act pathway will be used to expand access to its OCU400 gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa, aiming to treat a first patient within 90 days after full approval. Climate & Environment: The Bahamas committed $25M to a national blue carbon programme to measure seagrass carbon removal and support future ITMOs under the Paris Agreement, with scientific validation still underway. Education & Innovation: Grand Bahama launched the Young Innovators Club (ages 15–25) with a $50,000 innovation fund and prizes up to $25,000, targeting ideas in tech, environment, maritime and arts. Local STEM in Action: Royal Bahamas Police Force forensic science outreach in Grand Bahama brought students hands-on exposure to real-world investigations. Power & Safety: CC Sweeting teachers protested ongoing electricity failures and safety concerns; the Ministry says a long-term fix is being coordinated with power infrastructure partners.

Space Tech: SpaceX achieved a major milestone as Starship reached Earth orbit for the first time, deploying 26 Starlink satellites after an engine failure forced mission teams to shorten the flight. Health Tech & Policy: Ocugen says The Bahamas’ Longevity and Regenerative Therapies Act pathway will support expanded-access gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa, aiming to treat a first patient within 90 days after full approval. Climate Science: Prime Minister Philip Davis announced a $25M blue carbon programme to measure and verify how much seagrass ecosystems remove greenhouse gases—potentially helping the Bahamas claim more carbon removal than emissions. Education & Innovation: The Young Innovators Club launched in Grand Bahama with an $50,000 innovation fund and up to $25,000 prizes, pushing youth ideas in tech, environment, maritime and arts. Energy & Safety: CC Sweeting teachers protested ongoing electricity failures and safety risks; the Ministry says a long-term fix is being coordinated with BPL and grid partners. STEM in the Community: Royal Bahamas Police Force in Grand Bahama held a forensic science exhibition for students, bringing science into real-world practice.

Reparations & Governance: The Bahamas National Reparations Committee is urging King Charles to “come prepared to apologise” for Britain’s slavery links during his upcoming Caribbean tour, while also pushing for a path toward ending the monarchy as head of state. UN Digital Sovereignty: Prime Minister Philip Davis told the UN that “colonisation by data” is the new threat, calling for countries to own and govern their data. Climate Tech: Davis unveiled a $25m Bahamas Blue Carbon Programme to map and verify seagrass carbon removal, aiming to strengthen Article 6 climate accounting. Renewables & Data Centres: The government is exploring ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), with a feasibility study looking at power plus cooling for potential data centre investment. Biotech Access: Ocugen received provisional approval and priority designation in The Bahamas for OCU400, targeting retinitis pigmentosa patients via an expanded access pathway with a first-patient goal within 90 days. STEM for Youth: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology launched a Young Innovators Club pilot for hands-on projects across technology, environment, entrepreneurship, arts & heritage, and maritime. Forensics & Public Safety: The RBPF held its first forensic science exhibition in Grand Bahama, bringing lab science to students. Health Security: A regional workshop in Trinidad and Tobago strengthened Caribbean respiratory virus surveillance and lab diagnostics, including for The Bahamas. Cyber & Maritime Resilience: Stakeholders met to strengthen inter-institutional cyber-resilience for Bahamas maritime and logistics infrastructure.

UN Digital Sovereignty: Prime Minister Philip Davis told the UN General Assembly that the world faces “colonisation by data,” arguing The Bahamas must own its data and shape AI rules rather than accept them from elsewhere. Blue Carbon Science: Davis also unveiled a $25m Bahamas Banks Blue Carbon push to map and verify seagrass carbon removals, aiming to strengthen climate reporting under Article 6—while not yet issuing credits. Gene Therapy Access: Ocugen secured provisional approval and priority designation in The Bahamas for OCU400 to treat retinitis pigmentosa, targeting a first patient within 90 days via an expanded access program. Ocean Energy & Cooling: Global OTEC was named lead technical partner for an EU-financed feasibility study on ocean thermal energy conversion in The Bahamas, including potential data-centre cooling and desalination benefits. Youth STEM Pipeline: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and Grand Bahama launched the Young Innovators Club, training students to prototype solutions across tech, environment, entrepreneurship, arts & heritage, and maritime. Forensics in Schools: The Royal Bahamas Police Force ran a forensic science exhibition in Grand Bahama to bring real-world lab work to students.

Forensic Science in Schools (Grand Bahama): The Royal Bahamas Police Force held its first-ever forensic science exhibition in Grand Bahama, bringing real-world science into the classroom for students. Youth Innovation (Education & STEM): The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Ministry for Grand Bahama launched a pilot Young Innovators Club, training students to build practical solutions across technology, environment, entrepreneurship, arts & heritage, and maritime. Blue Carbon Push (Climate Tech): Prime Minister Philip Davis unveiled a $25m Bahamas Blue Carbon Programme, aiming to map seagrass, verify carbon removal, and strengthen the country’s Article 6 climate role. Gene Therapy Access (Biotech/Health): Ocugen received provisional approval and priority designation in The Bahamas for OCU400 to treat retinitis pigmentosa, targeting the first patient within 90 days via an expanded access program. Ocean Energy Feasibility (OTEC): Global OTEC was appointed lead technical partner for an EU-financed feasibility study on ocean thermal energy conversion, including potential links to desalination and data center cooling. AI Governance Warning (UN): At the UN, PM Davis warned of “colonisation by data,” calling for fair AI regulation and protection for developing countries’ languages, cultures, and data. Investor Awareness (Finance/Tech): BISX launched “Own a Piece of It” to boost public understanding of listed companies and share ownership. Energy Policy Pressure (Renewables): A VAT change on uncooked food is being criticized for hurting business incentives to invest in renewable energy and cut power costs.

Blue Carbon & Climate Finance: Prime Minister Philip Davis announced a $25m Bahamas Blue Carbon Programme in New York, aiming to scientifically validate that seagrass ecosystems remove more greenhouse gases than the country emits, with mapping, sampling and an Article 6 pathway. Gene Therapy Access: Ocugen’s OCU400 for retinitis pigmentosa received provisional approval and priority designation in The Bahamas, with plans to treat the first patient within 90 days via an expanded access programme. Ocean Energy for Grids & Data Centres: Global OTEC was named lead technical partner for an EU-financed feasibility study on ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), including potential integration with desalination and data-centre cooling. Youth STEM Pipeline: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology launched a pilot Young Innovators Club, challenging students to prototype solutions across technology, environment, entrepreneurship, arts & heritage, and maritime. Bahamian Research Ethics: DEPP will host a book presentation on the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework, helping researchers navigate responsible use of biological resources. Maritime Health Security: A regional CARPHA–PAHO workshop in Trinidad strengthened respiratory virus surveillance and lab diagnostics, including participation from The Bahamas. Cyber/Compliance & Fraud Watch: BISX launched “Own a Piece of It” to boost investor awareness, while BISX leadership warned of Telegram-based investment fraud targeting Bahamians.

Blue Carbon Push: Prime Minister Philip Davis announced a $25m Bahamas Blue Carbon Programme to map and verify seagrass carbon removals, aiming to strengthen the country’s climate case under Paris Agreement Article 6. Gene Therapy Access: Ocugen secured provisional approval and priority designation in The Bahamas for OCU400 for retinitis pigmentosa, targeting a first patient within 90 days via an expanded access pathway. Ocean Energy Feasibility: UK firm Global OTEC was named lead technical partner for an EU-financed feasibility study on ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), including potential cooling and desalination links and data-centre cooling use. Youth STEM Pipeline: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and Grand Bahama ministries launched a pilot Young Innovators Club with hands-on projects across technology, environment, entrepreneurship, arts & heritage, and maritime. Environmental Research Governance: DEPP will host a book presentation on the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Framework to help researchers responsibly access and use Bahamian biological resources. Investor Awareness: BISX launched “Own a Piece of It” to boost public understanding of listed companies and share ownership, starting with J.S. Johnson & Co. Public Health Lab Training: CARPHA and PAHO ran a regional respiratory virus diagnostics workshop in Trinidad and Tobago, including Bahamian participation to strengthen surveillance and lab capacity. Energy Cost Pressure: Eleuthera businesses criticized a VAT change on uncooked food as a disincentive to invest in renewable energy amid ongoing power reliability concerns. Workplace Safety: Families identified two men killed in a Lyford Cay industrial accident and called for clarity on what could have prevented the tragedy.

Blue Carbon Push: Prime Minister Philip Davis unveiled a $25m Bahamas Banks Blue Carbon Programme in New York, aiming to scientifically validate that seagrass meadows remove more greenhouse gases than the country emits, with mapping, sampling and an Article 6 Paris framework—while stressing no credits are issued yet. OTEC Feasibility for Power + Cooling: Global OTEC (with PLOCAN) was named lead technical partner for an EU-financed study on ocean thermal energy conversion, including links to desalination and data-centre cooling, with the old naval base on Eleuthera flagged as a study site. Biotech Access Pathway: Ocugen received provisional approval and priority designation in The Bahamas for OCU400 (retinitis pigmentosa), targeting a first patient within 90 days via an expanded access programme after full LARTA approval. Energy Costs Clash: Eleuthera businesses say a VAT change on uncooked food is undermining renewable energy investment plans, coming as the island faced prolonged power disruptions. STEM Pipeline: NUWC Division Newport’s Undersea Technology Apprenticeship Program guided 50 high school students toward robotics and engineering career paths. Climate Diplomacy: Davis also reiterated progress on climate implementation under Article 6 and blue carbon, framing it as national resilience and climate finance. Public Health Lab Boost: CARPHA and PAHO ran a regional respiratory virus diagnostics workshop in Trinidad and Tobago, strengthening SARI/ARI surveillance and lab capacity across 11 countries including The Bahamas. Regulation Modernization: A former AG urged centralising financial compliance into an integrated authority and portal to cut duplication ahead of FATF evaluations. Investor Education: BISX launched “Own a Piece of It” to help Bahamians learn about listed companies and share ownership.