AGP Executive Report

Regional Payments: CARICOM’s new payment system has entered a pilot across 11 jurisdictions, aiming to enable real-time cross-border payments in local currencies and reduce conversion costs for businesses. Bahamian Tech: Cloud Carib, founded by a Bahamian business owner and a technology entrepreneur, marks 15 years as it expands sovereign cloud, AI and cybersecurity services across the region. Marine Monitoring: Satellite analysis identified thousands of oil slicks in protected waters worldwide, showing how radar imagery and vessel-tracking data can help expose pollution that authorities may miss. Earth Observation: Europe’s Sentinel-3C satellite has sent back its first images, including views of the Caribbean, as it begins monitoring ocean conditions, land and ice.

Marine Monitoring: Satellite analysis recorded 3,152 oil slicks in protected waters worldwide from 2023 to 2025, showing how radar and vessel-tracking data can reveal pollution that regulators may miss. Bahamian Tech: Bahamian-founded Cloud Carib marks 15 years, providing sovereign cloud, AI and cybersecurity services across the region to help organizations keep critical data secure and under local control. Shark Conservation: Research finds shark-tour participants can remain active in conservation for years; The Bahamas is among the countries offering these ecotourism experiences. Earth Observation: Europe’s new Sentinel-3C satellite has returned its first images, including Caribbean waters, as it begins monitoring ocean conditions and environmental change. Research Capacity: Bahamian scientists are urging the government to rely less on foreign research institutions and build stronger local research capability.

Marine Monitoring: Satellite analysis by conservation group SkyTruth identified 3,152 oil slicks in protected marine waters worldwide from 2023 to 2025, showing how radar and vessel-tracking data can expose pollution at sea. Bahamian Tech: Cloud Carib marks 15 years of building regional cloud and cybersecurity services, with infrastructure in The Bahamas and a focus on keeping organizations’ data secure and under local control. Shark Conservation: Research found shark ecotourism can inspire lasting conservation action; the study includes destinations such as The Bahamas and tracked participants’ engagement for at least two years. Earth Observation: Europe’s Sentinel-3C satellite has begun returning images and measurements, including views of Caribbean waters. Its instruments are designed to monitor ocean conditions, pollution and marine heatwaves. Conch Habitat: A proposed service dock in Exuma would require dredging near a site where researchers recorded high juvenile conch density. A court challenge questions whether the project’s environmental approvals were lawful.

Caribbean Tech: Bahamian-founded Cloud Carib is marking 15 years, with nearly 100 staff and a growing focus on sovereign cloud, AI and cybersecurity services that keep organizations’ data under local control. Digital Payments: The CARICOM Payment and Settlement System has entered a pilot across 11 jurisdictions, aiming to make cross-border payments in local currencies faster and cheaper. Earth Observation: Europe’s new Sentinel-3C satellite has returned its first images, including Caribbean waters, and begun measurements to help track ocean and environmental change. Marine Science: A court challenge over a proposed Exuma dock has put the area’s juvenile conch habitat in focus; the case questions how the project’s environmental approvals were granted. Research Capacity: The Bahamas Academy of Sciences has published its first peer-reviewed paper and delivered a policy brief urging stronger local research on water, food, energy and long-term monitoring.

Marine Conservation: A proposed dock at Rosewood Exuma could dredge part of a cay where researchers found high densities of juvenile queen conch. The dispute over environmental approvals is before the Supreme Court, with a ruling expected within weeks. Environmental Health: University of The Bahamas researchers found cadmium in East Grand Bahama mangrove sediment at levels far above their reference value, prompting calls for precautions and further exposure assessments. Youth Innovation: The Young Innovators Club launched a pilot for ages 15 to 25, with projects spanning technology, environmental solutions, entrepreneurship, arts and maritime innovation. Research Priorities: The Bahamas Academy of Sciences has published its first peer-reviewed paper and presented government with recommendations focused on gaps in water, food, energy and long-term monitoring research. Medical Technology: Dr. Greggory Pinto performed The Bahamas’ first GreenLight prostate procedure, marking a local advance in surgical care.

Conch and Coastal Science: A planned dock for a Rosewood resort in Exuma could dredge a nursery where researchers found high densities of juvenile queen conch. A court challenge questions how the project’s environmental impacts were assessed. Pollution Research: University of The Bahamas researchers found cadmium in East Grand Bahama mangrove sediment at more than 700 times their reference level. They urge precautions at the most contaminated sites and further checks on possible exposure. Building Bahamian Science: The Bahamas Academy of Sciences has published its first peer-reviewed paper and delivered government recommendations on national research priorities, including water, food, energy and long-term monitoring. It says the country needs stronger local research capacity. Young Innovators: A national pilot is giving students aged 15 to 25 a chance to develop practical ideas in technology, environmental innovation, entrepreneurship and other fields.

Youth Innovation: The government launched the Young Innovators Club’s national pilot, bringing more than 100 students together to develop practical solutions in technology, environmental innovation, entrepreneurship, arts and maritime fields. The programme is set to expand beyond Grand Bahama and New Providence. Marine Science: A proposed service dock near East Sampson Cay has put a juvenile queen-conch nursery in the spotlight. Researchers found high densities of young conch nearby; a Supreme Court challenge disputes the project’s environmental approvals, with a ruling expected within weeks. Environmental Health: University of The Bahamas researchers found cadmium in East Grand Bahama mangrove sediment at levels far above their reference point. They urged precautions and further checks at the most contaminated sites. Research Capacity: The Bahamas Academy of Sciences says research on water, food and energy remains underdeveloped and too reliant on foreign institutions. It is urging a national research council, or a stronger Academy, to set priorities and coordinate a five-year research agenda.

Conch Conservation: A proposed service dock at Rosewood Exuma would dredge part of a bay near a nursery where researchers found high juvenile queen conch densities. A Supreme Court challenge questions whether the project was lawfully approved; the court is not being asked to rule on its impact on conch. Youth Innovation: The government launched a national Young Innovators Club pilot for students aged 15 to 25, focused on practical solutions in technology, the environment, entrepreneurship and other fields. Environmental Health: University of The Bahamas researchers found cadmium in East Grand Bahama mangrove sediment at an average 442.58 milligrams per kilogram, far above the 0.6 mg/kg reference level, and urged precautions at the most contaminated sites. Research Capacity: The Bahamas Academy of Sciences is urging a national research agenda and stronger coordination, citing gaps in local research on water, food and energy and continued reliance on foreign institutions.

Youth Innovation: The government launched a Young Innovators Club pilot in New Providence for students aged 15–25, focused on practical projects in technology, the environment, entrepreneurship, arts and maritime innovation. The programme is set to expand beyond Grand Bahama and New Providence. Research Priorities: The Bahamas Academy of Sciences is urging the government to establish a National Research Council and set a five-year agenda focused on needs such as water, food and energy. It says fragmented data and reliance on foreign institutions hamper local research and environmental monitoring. Environmental Health: University of The Bahamas researchers found cadmium levels in East Grand Bahama mangrove sediment far above their reference level, prompting calls for further assessment and possible public health precautions at the most contaminated sites. Medical Technology: Dr. Greggory Pinto performed The Bahamas’ first GreenLight laser procedure to treat an enlarged prostate.

Youth Innovation: The government launched a national Young Innovators Club pilot, bringing together more than 100 students to develop practical ideas in technology, environmental innovation, entrepreneurship and other fields. The programme is set to expand to Abaco and Exuma. Research Capacity: The Bahamas Academy of Sciences is urging the government to establish a National Research Council and set a five-year research agenda focused on needs such as fresh water, food and energy. It says reliance on foreign labs has left local monitoring and data management fragmented. Environmental Science: University of The Bahamas researchers found cadmium levels in East Grand Bahama mangrove sediment averaging more than 700 times their reference level. They recommend further exposure assessments and precautionary steps at the most contaminated sites. Climate Technology: The Bahamas is seeking a place in a UN disaster-resilience AI programme, as the country looks to apply technology to climate preparedness.

Youth Innovation: The Young Innovators Club launched its national pilot, bringing together more than 100 students to build practical solutions in technology, environmental innovation, entrepreneurship, arts and maritime fields. Research Capacity: The Bahamas Academy of Sciences is urging the government to establish a National Research Council and set a five-year research agenda, arguing that local priorities such as freshwater, food and energy remain too reliant on foreign institutions. Environmental Health: University of The Bahamas researchers found cadmium in East Grand Bahama mangrove sediment at more than 700 times the reference level and called for precautions at the most contaminated sites. Medical Technology: Dr. Greggory Pinto performed The Bahamas’ first GreenLight prostate procedure, using laser technology to treat an enlarged prostate. Disaster Technology: The Bahamas is seeking a place in a UN programme using artificial intelligence for disaster resilience.

Youth Innovation: The national pilot of the Young Innovators Club brought together more than 100 students to develop practical solutions, with projects spanning technology, the environment, entrepreneurship, arts and heritage, and maritime innovation. Digital Technology: Innovation Minister Sebastian Bastian argues that data, computing, cybersecurity and digital skills are vital national infrastructure as AI reshapes the economy. The Bahamas is also seeking a place in a UN disaster-resilience AI programme. Medical Technology: Dr. Greggory Pinto performed The Bahamas’ first GreenLight prostate procedure, using laser technology to treat an enlarged prostate. Research & Aquaculture: BAMSI is exploring medicinal plants’ potential for skincare, while aquaculture scientist Dr. Megan Davis is co-leading a mobile queen conch hatchery in The Bahamas.

Marine Science: Aquaculture scientist Dr. Megan Davis is co-leading a mobile queen conch hatchery in The Bahamas, building on four decades of research and hatchery work aimed at supporting sustainable fisheries. Health Technology: Bahamian urologist Dr. Greggory Pinto has performed the country’s first GreenLight laser procedures for enlarged prostates, bringing treatment home for patients who might otherwise travel abroad. Digital Future: Innovation Minister Sebastian Bastian argues The Bahamas needs local capacity in AI, data, cybersecurity and digital services so the country can create more value from Bahamian data. Climate Science: Record global heat and warmer oceans raise particular concerns for The Bahamas, where higher sea temperatures threaten coral reefs and can fuel stronger hurricanes.

Digital Capacity: Innovation Minister Sebastian Bastian says The Bahamas needs stronger data, computing, cybersecurity and digital skills infrastructure so it can create more value from Bahamian data in the AI era. Health Technology: Urologist Greggory Pinto performed The Bahamas’ first five GreenLight laser procedures for enlarged prostates at Doctors Hospital, bringing treatment previously sought abroad closer to home. Disaster Resilience: The Bahamas is seeking a place in a UN programme on AI for disaster resilience, connecting emerging technology with the country’s climate risks. Local Research: BAMSI researchers are exploring the potential of medicinal plants for skincare, while its community gardening training brings practical growing skills to residents.

AI Capacity: Bahamian commentary is urging the country to build local skills and infrastructure for AI, protect control of its data and ensure the technology benefits ordinary people. Disaster Resilience: The Bahamas has expressed interest in a UN program using AI to improve storm warnings, damage assessments and emergency response, while seeking local technical training and control over data-sharing. Health Technology: Urologist Dr. Greggory Pinto performed The Bahamas’ first GreenLight laser procedures for enlarged prostates, completing five surgeries at Doctors Hospital. Standards and Research: The Bahamas won another term on the International Organization for Standardization’s Council for 2027–29; separately, BAMSI is exploring medicinal plants’ potential for skincare and expanding practical gardening training.

Inclusive Tech: A call to make artificial intelligence accessible to all Bahamians argues that the country’s technology sector must create opportunities for young people and small businesses, not just established players. Disaster Preparedness: The Bahamas has expressed interest in a UN program using AI to improve storm warnings, damage assessments and disaster response, while seeking local technical training and control over data-sharing. Youth Innovation: Grand Bahama’s new Young Innovators Club will challenge students to research problems and pitch solutions, with $50,000 in prizes for top teams. Health Technology: Urologist Dr. Greggory Pinto performed The Bahamas’ first five GreenLight laser procedures for enlarged prostates, bringing a treatment previously sought abroad to Doctors Hospital. Bahamian Research: BAMSI scientist Waseem Ahmed’s study found that extracts from two medicinal plants may inhibit enzymes linked to skin aging and pigmentation; further research is needed to assess safe, effective use. Global Standards: The Bahamas won another term on the International Organization for Standardization Council, representing small island states from 2027 to 2029.