AGP Executive Report

Maritime Rescue: St. Kitts and Nevis authorities say all 47 passengers and crew are safe after the inter-island ferry Apple Syder began sinking off St. Kitts; Prime Minister Drew visited J.N. France General Hospital and praised the Coast Guard, emergency teams, and civilians for the rescue. Music Festival Spotlight: Drew also held a post-festival security review after the 28th St. Kitts Music Festival, crediting police, Defence Force, Coast Guard and partners for keeping locals and visitors safe. Cruise Boost: Ground has been broken for a new cruise terminal at Port Zante as part of the cruise homeporting push, aiming to grow tourism and strengthen border readiness. Creative Education: Anonymous donors gifted Basseterre High School music instruments (clarinets, cornet, keyboard) to support its music programme. Youth Sport: TDC continues to honour Runako Morton through the 2026 Nevis primary schools cricket tournament, backing young players at ET Willet Park. Scholarships: The Nevis Island Administration announced Morocco higher-education scholarships for St. Kitts and Nevis students, with strict age and grade requirements. Film & Media: Indie drama “Stationed at Home” expands international digital rental and purchase availability to 40+ territories starting July 2. Regional Arts Rights: ECCO’s AGM elected a new board and published its 2025 annual report, reinforcing its mission to protect and monetise Caribbean music. Local Culture Calendar: Wet Fete 2026 returns to Anguilla on July 31 with a lineup that includes St. Kitts and Nevis bands Kolission Band and Nu Vybes Band.

Indie Film & Media: “Stationed at Home” is now available to rent or buy internationally across 40+ territories starting July 2, 2026, spotlighting the indie drama about a taxi driver awaiting the International Space Station on a surreal Christmas Eve. Music Festival & Safety: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew praised security forces after the 28th St. Kitts Music Festival, citing coordinated work by police, defence, coast guard and partners—and he also received an update on the Apple Syder rescue. Maritime Rescue (Apple Syder): An inter-island ferry incident between St. Kitts and Nevis ended with all 47 passengers and crew safe after the Apple Syder began sinking; Drew visited J.N. France General Hospital as responders and civilians helped. Creative Sector Build: Work continues on the Prime Creative Arts Centre, a new studios, exhibition and performance hub under the Citizenship Programme, with leaders reviewing progress. Youth Sports (Nevis Cricket): TDC sponsored the Runako Morton Primary Schools Cricket Tournament at ET Willet Park, honouring the late cricketer and backing grassroots development. Community Arts Support: An anonymous donor gifted Basseterre High School’s music department clarinets, a cornet and a keyboard to strengthen its programme. Entrepreneurship: A Small Business Boot Camp wrapped up with 50 entrepreneurs completing training with PM Drew on hand.

Maritime Drama, Then Relief: The inter-island ferry MV Apple Syder began sinking off St. Kitts on Monday; all 47 passengers and crew were rescued, with Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew confirming everyone was safe after hospital updates. Festival Security: Drew also praised security forces after the 28th St. Kitts Music Festival, citing coordinated work by police, defence force, coast guard and partners—plus an update on the Apple Syder response. Creative Infrastructure: Work continues on the Prime Creative Arts Centre, with leaders visiting the site to review studios, theatres, artisan spaces and training areas meant to grow the creative economy. Music in the Schools: An anonymous donor delivered instruments to Basseterre High School—two clarinets, a cornet and a keyboard—boosting the music programme. Entrepreneurship Boost: A Small Business Boot Camp wrapped up with 50 entrepreneurs completing training, as PM Drew urged them on their next steps. Regional Arts Rights: ECCO’s AGM elected a new board and released its 2025 annual report, keeping focus on protecting and monetising Caribbean music. Local Culture & Food: Eat Local Day returned to Independence Square, spotlighting farmers, fishers and local meals. Nevis Mango Festival Sponsor: National Bank backed the July 2–5 Nevis Mango Festival, supporting chefs, artisans and farmers. Scholarship Alert: St. Kitts and Nevis’ Taiwan embassy opened a medicine scholarship application window (June 29–July 7) for eligible students. Inclusive Sailing Homecoming: St. Kitts and Nevis welcomed Elijah Walters and Coach Nickhail Rogers after the World Sailing inclusive programme in Antigua.

Maritime Rescue: The inter-island ferry Apple Syder began taking on water and partially submerged shortly after leaving Basseterre for Nevis, but all 47 passengers and crew were safely rescued, with Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew visiting the hospital for updates and authorities launching an investigation. Music Festival Afterglow: Drew also led a high-level security review after the 28th St. Kitts Music Festival, praising coordinated work by police, defence forces, coast guard and other agencies that kept the event safe. Creative Sector Boost: Officials toured the Prime Creative Arts Centre as construction continues, with studios, exhibition space, performance venues and artisan workshops planned to strengthen local talent and jobs. Community Giving at IGS 2026: The Citizenship Unit raised US$4,500 via a silent auction for the Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School for special needs students, with an additional US$1,000 donation bringing the total close to EC$15,000. Local Culture & Food: Eat Local Day in Basseterre spotlighted farmers, fishers and agro-producers, with community meals priced at EC$25. Travel Friction: LIAT passengers reported hours-long delays, weak communication and no meals during disruptions affecting festival-goers. Sports & Spotlight: St. Kitts and Nevis welcomed home Elijah Walters and Coach Nickhail Rogers after an inclusive sailing programme in Antigua. Regional Business Link: St. Kitts and Nevis joined WenCHAM, expanding global entrepreneur networking through national chapters.

Creative Infrastructure: PM Terrance Drew and Citizenship Unit chair Calvin St. Juste toured the Prime Creative Arts Centre, a new cultural hub (studios, theatres, artisan workshops, and an amphitheatre) funded under the Citizenship Programme’s Public Benefit Option. Music Festival Afterglow: Drew also praised security forces for keeping the 28th St. Kitts Music Festival safe, while tourism officials stressed the event’s role in driving arrivals and showcasing the federation beyond the stage. Maritime Drama (and rescue): The inter-island ferry MV Apple Syder sank after difficulties off St. Kitts; all 47 passengers and crew were rescued, with an investigation launched and the Coast Guard singled out for a swift response. Local Giving: The Citizenship Unit raised US$4,500 (plus an extra US$1,000) for the Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School via an IGS 2026 silent auction. Education & Arts Abroad: The St. Kitts and Nevis Embassy in Taiwan announced a Medicine scholarship at I-Shou University for local students, with exams and interviews scheduled in July. Culture & Rights: The Labour Party paid for unauthorised use of Adrian Bailey’s “Get Rid Ah Dem” in its campaign, settling a copyright dispute. Mobility Watch: The Global Passport Index 2026 highlights widening gaps in passport strength, with St. Kitts and Nevis noted for strong outperformance.

Maritime Rescue: The inter-island ferry MV Apple Syder began taking on water and sank off St. Kitts minutes after leaving Basseterre for Charlestown/Nevis, but all 47 passengers and crew were safely rescued thanks to the Coast Guard, nearby vessels, fishermen, and civilians; Prime Minister Terrance Drew visited the hospital where passengers were treated, and an investigation is underway. Music & Culture: The 28th St. Kitts Music Festival wrapped up at Warner Park with major international acts including Boyz II Men, Fantasia, and Beres Hammond, while Machel Montano’s return and the festival’s mix of soca, bouyon, reggae, and dancehall kept crowds buzzing. Creative Sector Boost: Work continues on the Prime Creative Arts Centre, a new cultural hub funded through the Citizenship by Investment Public Benefit Option, designed to support artists with studios, theatres, workshops, and a market space. Community Giving: The Citizenship Unit raised US$4,500 via an IGS 2026 silent auction—featuring a live Lizca Bass painting—to support Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School. Local Flavour: National Bank sponsors the Nevis Mango Festival (July 2–5), spotlighting Nevis food, culture, and tourism. Wellbeing in the Spotlight: Police took part in a mental health awareness session led by the Taiwan Technical Mission, using calypso to encourage empathy and better crisis response.

Maritime Emergency: The inter-island ferry MV Apple Syder sank off St. Kitts after reported difficulties minutes after leaving Basseterre for Nevis, but all 47 passengers and crew were rescued safely as Coast Guard and other responders moved fast. Festival Wrap: The 28th St. Kitts Music Festival closed at Warner Park with standout sets from major names including Boyz II Men, Fantasia, Beres Hammond and more, capping three nights of soca, reggae, dancehall and regional pride. Creative Economy Boost: Prime Minister Terrance Drew and Citizenship Unit chair Calvin St. Juste inspected the Prime Creative Arts Centre, a new cultural hub funded through the Public Benefit Option, aimed at studios, workshops and performance spaces for local artists. Mental Health & Policing: The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force held a mental health awareness session led by Taiwan’s mission, using calypso to reduce stigma and encourage empathy in crisis response. Local Food Spotlight: Eat Local Day returned to Independence Square, celebrating St. Kitts and Nevis farmers, fishers and producers with community tastings and local meals. Copyright Settlement: The ruling Labour Party reportedly paid for unauthorised use of Vincentian song “Get Rid Ah Dem,” settling a copyright dispute with Adrian Bailey’s representatives. Arts Networking: Creative Power Arts Convention 2027 was announced with Machel Montano and producer Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor set to serve as facilitators.

St. Kitts Music Festival: Machel Montano roared back to Warner Park after more than 10 years, with Brandon joining him for a full-circle moment, and Aaron “Voice” St Louis closing strong as fans stayed locked in all night. Festival Wrap: The 28th edition kept momentum across three nights, from Steel Pulse and a dancehall-heavy lineup to star power and big crowd projections. Creative Economy: The Creative Power Arts Convention 2027 is set to feature Machel Montano and Grammy-nominated Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor as facilitators. Local Talent & Culture: Nevisian chef Michael Henville took top honours at a St. Kitts chef competition. Arts & Heritage: The Masquerade Traditions Art Exhibition at Shadwell Greathouse spotlights Mocko Jumbies, Bull Play characters, and textile masquerade scenes. Rights & Music: A long-running copyright dispute over “Get Rid Ah Dem” has reportedly been settled with the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party paying Adrian Bailey. Community & Health: Regional Testing Day brought free HIV/AIDS-related checks to Basseterre, while St. Kitts Music Festival welcomed children under 18 with parent supervision encouraged.

St. Kitts Music Festival Finale: Warner Park Cricket Stadium wrapped up the 28th St. Kitts Music Festival with three nights of soca, calypso and more, including a big crowd-pleasing run from Dominica’s Bouyon ambassadors Shelly & Signal Band and standout moments that kept fans talking. Festival Numbers & Tourism: PM Terrance Drew said the festival has welcomed over 5,000 overseas visitors, boosting the economy and keeping momentum strong ahead of opening night. Creative Power Boost: The Creative Power Arts Convention 2027 will feature Machel Montano and Grammy-nominated producer Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor as facilitators, aiming to grow local talent through mentorship and networking. Local Talent Spotlight: Nevisian chef Michael Henville won first place at a St. Kitts chef competition, adding to the federation’s culinary buzz. Community & Culture: The Masquerade Traditions Art Exhibition at Shadwell Greathouse runs through June 27, showcasing textile masquerade works and heritage performances. Rights & Recognition: A long-running copyright dispute over “Get Rid Ah Dem” has reportedly been settled with the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party making payment to Adrian Bailey.

St. Kitts Music Festival (June 25–27): The 28th edition is in full swing at Warner Park, Basseterre, with big-name soca and Caribbean talent drawing visitors early—plus a special opening tribute to late St. Kitts maestro Elston “King Ellie Matt” Nero. Soca & artist support: Edwin Yearwood and Machel Montano are pushing for stronger public backing for Caribbean artistes and better recognition pathways for soca. Festival for families: Organisers say there’s no under-18 ban for this year’s festival, but parents are urged to supervise closely. Interactive promotion: Dancehall artist Shaneil Muir turned her Friday slot into a fan talent search, inviting videos of singing or rapping for a chance to win a festival-linked prize. Local culture spotlight: The Masquerade Traditions Art Exhibition at Shadwell Greathouse runs through June 27, featuring textile masquerade scenes and other heritage performances. Health & community: Basseterre hosted a Regional Testing Day with free services, while Ghana prepares to send 47 health workers to St. Kitts and Nevis under a managed migration plan. Water update: PM Terrance Drew says about 70% of St. Kitts now has 24-hour water supply, with St. Peters restored to 24/7. Education & youth: ECCB announces a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU territories. Creative rights: The Labour Party has reportedly paid Adrian Bailey after a three-year copyright dispute over “Get Rid Ah Dem.”

St. Kitts Music Festival: The 28th edition is in full swing in Basseterre (June 25–27), with Warner Park buzzing as VIP arrivals roll in, including cricket legend Chris Gayle, and opening night set to kick off with a tribute to late cultural icon Elston “King Ellie Matt” Nero. Soca & dancehall spotlight: Machel Montano returns after 15 years, while Edwin Yearwood is pushing for stronger support of Caribbean artistes and better music sales; Shaneil Muir is also turning her Friday slot into an interactive talent search by asking fans to upload singing/rap videos for a chance to win a festival-linked prize. Family-friendly update: Organizers say children under 18 can attend—no age restrictions—but parents should supervise closely. Culture in the spotlight: The Masquerade Traditions Art Exhibition at Shadwell Greathouse runs through June 27, featuring works inspired by Mocko Jumbies, Bull Play characters, and textile masquerade scenes. Community & health: Regional Testing Day brought free HIV/AIDS-related services to Independence Square in Basseterre, while Ghana’s health workforce migration plan sends 47 professionals to support local care.

St. Kitts Music Festival: The 28th St. Kitts Music Festival kicks off June 25–27 in Basseterre, with Warner Park buzzing as vendors and stage teams make final tweaks. Organizers are also building extra buzz with a special opening tribute to late local icon Elston “King Ellie Matt” Nero, plus a growing lineup of regional and international soca and dancehall stars. Fan-first promotion: Dancehall artist Shaneil Muir turned her Friday slot into an interactive talent search, asking fans to upload singing or rap videos for a chance to win a festival-linked prize. Family-friendly update: Festival organizers say children under 18 can attend with no age restrictions, but parents should supervise closely. Water security: Prime Minister Terrance Drew says about 70% of St. Kitts and Nevis now has 24-hour water supply, with St. Peter’s restored to 24/7 after major investments. Culture & arts: The Masquerade Traditions Art Exhibition at Shadwell Greathouse runs through June 27, spotlighting textile-made masquerade scenes and Bull Play characters. Music rights: The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party has reportedly paid Vincentian artiste Adrian Bailey after a three-year copyright dispute over “Get Rid Ah Dem.” Community support: The Citizenship Unit raised $4,500 for Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School via an IGS 2026 silent auction. Education media literacy: UNESCO backed a hybrid media and information literacy training for educators across nine countries, including St. Kitts and Nevis. Health outreach: Regional Testing Day brought free HIV/AIDS-related health services to Independence Square in Basseterre.

St. Kitts Music Festival: The 28th St. Kitts Music Festival kicks off June 25–27 at Warner Park, Basseterre, with a big opening-night soca push featuring Machel Montano, Voice, Rucas H.E. and more, plus a special tribute to late local icon Elston “King Ellie Matt” Nero. Crowd & community: Organizers say there’s no under-18 ban for this year’s festival, but parents are urged to supervise closely. Interactive promotion: Dancehall artist Shaneil Muir is turning her June 26 slot into a talent search, asking fans to upload singing or rapping videos for a chance at a festival-linked prize. Festival logistics: Police have warned against street vending around the venue during the festival period to keep traffic moving and emergency access clear. Arts & culture: The Masquerade Traditions Art Exhibition is running at Shadwell Greathouse through June 27, spotlighting textile masquerade performances and related art and literature. Local impact: The Citizenship Unit raised EC$4,500 for Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School via a live silent auction at IGS 2026.

Arts & Culture: The Masquerade Traditions Art Exhibition is on at Shadwell Greathouse (June 22–27), preserving mocko jumbies, Bull Play characters, and textile-made masquerade scenes in art and print. Music Festival Buzz: St. Kitts Music Festival opens June 25 at Warner Park with a special tribute to late maestro Elston “King Ellie Matt” Nero, while organizers keep upgrading the venue and cracking down on street vending near the grounds. Festival Lineup & Industry Talk: Day-one coverage spotlights soca sustainability and global recognition, with the three-night event running June 25–27 and built around “Where Music Meets Paradise.” Community Giving: The Citizenship Unit raised $4,500 for Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School via a live silent auction at IGS 2026, with proceeds presented during the gala. Regional Youth Tech: ECCB’s free 2026 STEM Camp launches July 6, targeting ages 14–18 across ECCU territories. Nevis Energy: Geothermal drilling is expected to begin later in 2026, with preparatory work already underway at the Hamilton site. Food Marketing Watch: A regional campaign targets ultra-processed food and drink ads around schools, including St. Kitts and Nevis. Sports & Local Talent: Shaneil Muir turns her festival slot into an interactive talent search, and Nevis cricket’s primary tournament kicks off with a big opening ceremony.

St. Kitts Music Festival: Warner Park is in full swing for the 28th edition, running June 25–27 in Basseterre, with a big lineup and a special opening-night tribute honoring legendary Kittitian musician Ellie Matt. Festival logistics: Police are cracking down on street vending near the venue during the festival period to keep traffic moving and emergency access clear. Music & community fundraising: The Citizenship Unit raised EC$4,500 for Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School via an IGS 2026 live silent auction featuring original art created by Lizca Bass. Youth tech boost: The ECCB will launch a free, four-week 2026 STEM Camp on July 6 for ages 14–18 across ECCU member territories, including St. Kitts and Nevis. Regional health push: A Healthy Caribbean Coalition campaign targets ultra-processed food and drink marketing around schools, including St. Kitts and Nevis. Tourism & entertainment calendar: Marella Cruises unveiled its Winter 2027 program, with Discovery 2 going permanent adults-only and new “Atlantic Fusion” sailing options. Sports culture: St. Kitts and Nevis sailing reps are heading to Antigua for a World Sailing Inclusive Development Programme clinic and regatta.

Music & Tourism: St. Kitts Music Festival gears up for June 25–27 at Warner Park, with a star-studded lineup and major local support as National Bank returns as Gold Sponsor and SKELEC signs on. Tribute Spotlight: The festival’s opening night (June 25) will include a special tribute performance honouring legendary Kittitian musician Ellie Matt. Community Giving: The Citizenship Unit raised EC$4,500 for Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School via a live silent auction at IGS 2026, with proceeds presented during the gala. Food & Media Watch: A regional campaign targets ultra-processed food and drink marketing around schools, including St. Kitts and Nevis. Inclusive Sports: Coach Nickahail Rogers and sailor Elijah Walters represent St. Kitts and Nevis at the World Sailing Inclusive Development Programme in Antigua (June 21–27). Local Rules: Police warn that street vending is banned near the Music Festival venue during the event period. Renewables Update: Nevis geothermal drilling is expected to begin later this year, with active drilling planned for late 2026.